Metabolic Bio-inspired Batteries

A typical soldier in the US ARMY carries a number of devices powered by batteries which cannot be recharged, are heavy, and when disposed off raise environmental concerns. Thus, reducing this logistic burden and providing alternate, in theatre, rechargeable energy sources are high priorities for the US ARMY. Rechargeable biofuel cells are an alternative. In Phase I, Lynntech, Inc. in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University demonstrated the feasibility of developing stable electrodes coated with enzymes by synthesizing a redox polymer co-immobilized with an oxidoreductase on the surface of the electrode. Various configurations of electrode orientations under a range of operating conditions of temperature, biofuel concentration, pH and type of biofuel were evaluated. This Phase II proposal describes a rechargeable biofuel cell kit which is rugged, reliable, lightweight, and capable of powering a PDA. The system uses an innovative spiral wound, air breathing fuel cell stack, which is an extension of Lynntech's proprietary FlatstackTM technology. The spiral wound configuration will give the largest surface area per unit volume, thus reducing the volume of the fuel cell considerably over comparable conventional stacks. This technology is fully scalable allowing us to develop power sources using the same technology for a range of applications.