LUNA INNOVATIONS INCORPORATED — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: Enzymatic fuel cells provide significant potential for increased energy density with low c

Description

Enzymatic fuel cells provide significant potential for increased energy density with low costs through the use of renewable fuel sources and biocatalysts. Their real-world application is primarily limited by 1) the lack of effective enzyme immobilization method to support efficient electron transfer from enzyme to the electrode surface, 2) low power density and 3) high overpotentials. Luna Innovations has developed a multidimensional nanostructured graphene electrode with high surface area and low ionic and porous resistance. Luna proposes, in collaboration with University of Georgia, to apply this novel multidimensional electrode in immobilizing and stabilizing enzymes for biocathode and bioanode. This work is in part based on very promising preliminary results of high current density, high enzyme loading and excellent bioelectrocatalytic stability. The sustained performance attributes to the controlled distribution and orientation of enzymes in the nanostructured electrode. University of Georgia will contribute their expertise in kinetic and mechanistic studies of bioelectrode and enzymatic fuel cell, and such understanding of the bioelectrode performance will enable further optimization and sophiscated design of fuel cell prototype. The combined technologies will result in the demonstration of the highest performing electrodes for highly efficient and long lasting biofuel cell power supplies.