Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 12
Powering fuel cells through biocatalysis
Dónal Leech, Marie Pellissier, and Frédéric Barrière
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Biocatalytic fuel cell design
12.3 Electron transfer reactions
12.4 Biocatalytic cathodes
12.4.1 Enzymes and substrates
12.4.2 Peroxidases
12.4.3 Oxygenases
12.5 Biocatalytic anodes
12.5.1 Enzymes and substrates
12.5.2 Glucose oxidase
12.5.3 Dehydrogenases
12.6 Biocatalytic fuel cells
12.6.1 Physiological conditions
12.6.2 Assembled glucose-oxygen biocatalytic fuel cells
12.7 Conclusions
12.8 References
12.1 INTRODUCTION
Monitoring and control of a range of medical conditions will increasingly be per-
formed by sophisticated, miniaturized, integrated, implanted medical devices [1].
Provision of miniaturized, implantable power sources to drive these devices is there-
fore of signifi cant importance. Current miniaturized battery technology uses highly
reactive lithium or corrosive alkaline electrolytes. This necessitates use of protective
cases and seals to prevent leakage, making miniaturization expensive and diffi cult.
Biocatalytic fuel cells have the potential to deliver a simple, inexpensive, miniaturized,
implanted power supply [1-3].
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