Regenerative Enzymatic Biofuel Cell in a Multi-array Microfluidic Configuration

To address the OSD need for biological-based energy storage and generation for small mobile power system applications, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Regenerative Enzymatic Biofuel cell in a Multi-Array Microfluidic Configuration (EZBiofuel). This proposed device is based on enzymatic reactions at the porous surfaces of cathode and anode electrodes, with oxygen and glucose as fuel materials. The innovations in EZBiofuel, its capability to regenerate glucose fuel via the photosynthetic process of cyanobacteria as a backup option for fuel storage, and its controllable output power with pneumatic valves in microfluidic channels will enable the system to prolong its lifetime. The array configuration of lightweight biofuel cells with porous electrodes coated with nanoparticles significantly increases the output power. Consequently, EZBiofuel offers power output in the range 10-1000 mW while weighing no more than 100 g. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate feasibility of the EZBiofuel by developing an initial concept design and modeling for a prototype of less than 100 g to generate power in the range 10 to 1000 mW. In Phase II, POC plans to construct and demonstrate operation of the prototype and evaluate its performance and limitations for several applications.