Enzymatic fuel cell

• US 6,500,571 B2
• Filed: 08/18/1999
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Powerzyme
• Original Assignee: Powerzyme
• Inventors: Kumar, Rajan, Hozer, Leszek, Fan, Zhonghui Hugh, Bindra, Chetna, Liberatore, Michael James, Sreeram, Attiganal Narayanaswamy
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSANG FOSTER, SUSY N
• Application Number:
  US09/376,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20020001739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 429/2
• US Class Current: 429/2
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 14/00 Electrochemical current or voltage generators not provided for in groups H01M6/00 - H01M12/00; Manufacture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 14/005 Photoelectrochemical storage cells light sensitive devices H01G9/20, semiconductors sensitive to light H01L31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

Provided is a fuel cell comprising a first compartment, a second compartment and a barrier separating the first and second compartments, wherein the barrier comprises a proton transporting moiety.

Claims

1. A fuel cell comprising a first compartment, a second compartment and a barrier separating the first and second compartments, wherein the barrier includes an embedded proton transporting protein effective to transport protons from the first compartment to the second compartment.

2. A fuel cell comprising:

a first compartment;

a second compartment;

a barrier separating the first compartment from the second compartment;

said barrier having embedded proton transporting proteins effective to transport protons from the first compartment to the second compartment;

a first electrode;

a second electrode;

redox enzymes in the first compartment in communication with the first electrode to deliver electrons thereto;

an electron carrier in the first compartment in chemical communication with the redox enzymes; and

an electron receiving composition in the second compartment in chemical communication with the second electrode,

wherein, in operation, an electrical current flows along a conductive pathway formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

3. The fuel cell of claim 2, wherein the first compartment comprises an electron transfer mediator that transfers electrons from the redox enzymes to the first electrode.

4. The fuel cell of claim 2, wherein the proton transporting proteins include redox enzyme activity.

5. The fuel cell of claim 2, adapted to operate at the first electrode at a temperature of about 60°

C. or less.

6. The fuel cell of claim 2, further comprising a reservoir for supplying to the vicinity of at least one of the electrodes a component consumed in the operation of the fuel cell and a pump for drawing such component to that vicinity.

7. The fuel cell of claim 6, further comprising a controller which receives data on the operation of the fuel cell and controls the pump in response to the data.

8. The fuel cell of claim 2, further comprising:

an electron transfer mediator effective to facilitate transfer of electrons to the first electrode.

9. A method of operating a fuel cell with a first compartment and a second compartment comprising:

enzymatically oxidizing an electron carrier and delivering the electrons to a first electrode in chemical communication with the first compartment;

catalyzing with proteins the transfer of protons across a barrier from the first compartment to the second compartment; and

reducing an electron receiving molecule with electrons conveyed through a circuit from the first electrode to a second electrode located in the second compartment.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the catalytic transfer of protons occurs in conjunction with the enzymatic oxidation of the electron carrier.