Microfluidic Biofuel Cell
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A biofuel cell for generating electricity using a fuel fluid comprising:
- a substrate;
a cathode supported by the substrate and capable of a reaction to reduce an oxidant in the presence of electrons to form water;
an anode supported by the substrate and capable of a reaction to oxidize the fuel fluid;
at least one of the anode and cathode including an enzyme for use in carrying out its respective reaction; and
either (i) at least one of the anode and cathode being formed for flow of the fuel fluid therewithin for use in producing an electrical current;
(ii) the cathode comprising an enzyme immobilization material comprising a micellar or inverted micellar structure;
or (iii) at least one of the anode and cathode comprising a width less than about 200 μ
m and at least one surface having an irregular, three dimensional topography capable of inducing convective flow of the fuel fluid and/or oxidant over said surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Microfluidic biofuel cells comprising a bioanode and/or a biocathode are formed using microfluidic principles and soft lithography. The enzymes utilized in the redox reactions at the bioanode and/or the biocathode are stabilized in a micellar or inverted micellar structure. The biofuel cell is used to produce high power densities.
75 Citations
71 Claims
-
1. A biofuel cell for generating electricity using a fuel fluid comprising:
-
a substrate;
a cathode supported by the substrate and capable of a reaction to reduce an oxidant in the presence of electrons to form water;
an anode supported by the substrate and capable of a reaction to oxidize the fuel fluid;
at least one of the anode and cathode including an enzyme for use in carrying out its respective reaction; and
either(i) at least one of the anode and cathode being formed for flow of the fuel fluid therewithin for use in producing an electrical current;
(ii) the cathode comprising an enzyme immobilization material comprising a micellar or inverted micellar structure;
or(iii) at least one of the anode and cathode comprising a width less than about 200 μ
m and at least one surface having an irregular, three dimensional topography capable of inducing convective flow of the fuel fluid and/or oxidant over said surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 7, 11, 13, 14, 34, 38)
-
-
3. (canceled)
-
5-6. -6. (canceled)
-
8-10. -10. (canceled)
- 12. (canceled)
-
15-16. -16. (canceled)
-
18-33. -33. (canceled)
-
35-37. -37. (canceled)
-
39-44. -44. (canceled)
-
45. An electrode comprising an electron conductor having a width less than about 200 μ
- m and at least one surface having an irregular, three dimensional topography capable of inducing convective flow of the fuel fluid over said surface.
- View Dependent Claims (48, 51)
-
46-47. -47. (canceled)
-
49-50. -50. (canceled)
-
52. (canceled)
-
53. An electrode comprising an electron conductor having an effective surface area that is at least 1.5 times greater than its geometric surface area, wherein one dimension of the electrode is less than 100 μ
- m.
-
54-60. -60. (canceled)
-
61. A method for forming an electrode for use in a biofuel cell, the method comprising
forming at least one electrical connector on a substrate; -
forming at least one microchannel in a non-conductive casting mold comprised of a material that will not passivate the electrode and can be reversibly sealed to the substrate;
adhering the casting mold to the substrate;
flowing an electron conductor solution through the microchannels; and
curing the electron conductor solution to form the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (62, 64, 66, 68, 70)
-
-
63. (canceled)
-
65. (canceled)
-
67. (canceled)
-
69. (canceled)
-
71. (canceled)
Specification