Oriented Enzymatic Electrodes with Enhanced Charge Transfer

Our objective is to significantly increase the electron transfer efficiency of the enzyme-catalyzed reactions at electrodes and thereby establish a new state-of-the-art power source for military and commercial systems. The approach is to develop a novel method for orienting enzymes immobilized onto the electrode surface that results in facilitated charge transfer. The proposed bio-electrode technology will be integrated into enzymatic fuel cell (EFC) that leverages ongoing research at both CFDRC and the University of New Mexico (UMN) to provide a fully-integrated, manufacturable and renewable power supply. In Phase I, we have demonstrated the use of both tethering and orientation agents for the cathode side of the device. We have combined this with our existing (non-oriented) enzymatic anode and EFC test hardware to evaluate the technology. In Phase II, we will extend the orientation methods to the anode side of the device as well as further optimizing the cathode and developing the fully-integrated EFC system. The functional prototype will be demonstrated as a portable military low-power source. A multi-disciplinary team with proven expertise in electrochemical power sources, bio-microsystems, bio-electrochemistry, and system design has been assembled to accomplish these goals.