Biological Fuel Cell Functional as an Active or Reserve Power Source

摘要

A biological fuel cell was constructed in which the metabolism of glucose by yeast provides the electrons. A two-compartment plexiglas fuel cell was constructed with platinum electrodes separated by a proton-conducting membrane. One half of the cell contained yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, glucose, and an electron mediator, methylene blue. The other half contained an electron acceptor, potassium ferricyanide. Electrons produced during the metabolism of glucose by the yeast were captured by the methylene blue and transferred to the platinum electrode, traveled through the external circuit to the cathode compartment, and were finally accepted by the potassium ferricyanide. When yeast was added to the fuel cell, the open circuit potential was '0.5 V. Electrical current was measured while the cell voltage was held at 0.3 V and 0.1 V. Current output was optimized for initial concentration of yeast, temperature, glucose concentration, agitation, and oxygen content. The optimum conditions for producing current within the scope of this study were obtained with agitated, partially oxygenated electrolyte at 45 degrees C containing 0.1 M glucose.