Post on 27-Jul-2015
Bio-Battery:Research at the Intersection
between Bio, Energy, and Defense
Solution: CFDRC’s Bio-Battery
CFDRC’s Bio-Battery
Uses enzymes to convert sugar directly into electrical energy
Optimization of nanocomposite electrode, fuel source, and prototype design give
state of the art performance
Enzymes extracted from microorganisms
How it Works
Non-covalent/covalent tether (linker) molecule
Multi-copper oxidase(Bilirubin Oxidase)
Multi-walled Carbon nanotube
Ele
ctr
o-c
ata
lyti
c B
io-n
an
oc
om
po
sit
e
Bilirubin
Enzymes immobilized in Carbon Nanotube based electrode
Nanocomposite electrodes integrated with fuel cell hardware
Advantages
High Energy Density (size/weight)
Readily-Available Fuel(instant recharge)
Renewable Biocatalysts
Advantages: High Energy Density w/Instant Refueling (Mobility)
~2500 Wh/kg
~130 Wh/kg
~250 Wh/kg
~2 min to Refuel
~Tethered to wall for ~2hrs
Advantages: Fuel Flexibility
Can of coke has the same energy as ~72 AA batteries
AN/PVS 14 (Night Vision)(2) AA.106 lbs/.04 watts*
PEQ-2A(2) AA.106 lbs/.011 Watts*
Mag Lite(2) AA.106 lbs/.019 watts*
Head Set(2) AA.106 lbs/.019 watts*
DAGR(24) AA & (1) ½ AA1.3 lbs/.729 watts*
*Average Watts per 72 hours
72 Hour Mission
HTWS (Night) (12) AA Lithium .384 lbs/.68 watts*
14
44 AA Batteries total for 24hrs
Current Recharging Solutions
Traditional Solutions (Generators, HUMVEEs)
Renewable Solutions (Flexible Solar Panels)
Not PortableRequire Diesel Fuel
Limited Availability (<20%)
Insect Cyborg Demonstration
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Pow
er (u
W)
Voltage (V)
Initial
After 2 weeks
Miniaturized Biological Fuel Cell
Implantation into Beetle
Continuous power generation for >2 weeks after implant
Insect Video
Video courtesy of UC-Berkeley (Prof. Maharbiz)
Bio Battery
Portable Charging
• Cell phones• Soldier Power
Medical Implants
• Pace makers • Insulin pumps
Replacing Batteries
• Toys• Greeting Cards
Disaster Relief
• Generators • Remote Power
Applications