The Supergen Biological Fuel Cells Consortium 2010-2014 (CORE)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Mathematical & Physical Sciences Div
Abstract
The Supergen Biological Fuel Cells Consortium is developing advanced technologies that exploit the special properties of biological systems for energy production. A fuel cell produces electricity by reacting a fuel (such as hydrogen or methanol) with oxygen (from air) at a pair of electrodes instead of by combustion,which produces only heat. Normally, fuel cells require expensive components such as special catalysts (platinum) and membranes. In contrast, biological fuel cells use whole organisms or isolated enzymes as catalysts, and a membrane may not be necessary. Two kinds of fuel cell are under development - microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and enzyme-based fuel cells. MFCs have an important role to play in improving our environment and conserving energy whereas enzyme-based fuel cells (EFCs) provide unique opportunities for new kinds of fuel cells, including ones that can be made very small for niche applications such as implantable power sources. MFCs use bacteria, held in contact with an electrode, to convert organic matter (the fuel) into electrical power. They can also be used to remove (oxidising) contaminants from water supplies with the advantage that the electrical power that is simultaneously produced offsets the energy costs for remediation. EFCs exploit the high activities, efficiencies and selectivities of enzymes, recognising that in most cases, and particularly when attached to an electrode, their performance is far superior to man-made catalysts. The Consortium combines expertise in several areas and plans to advance the field on several fronts. These include the following: developing a clear understanding of how microbes colonise electrodes, how useful bacteria can be sustained and undesirable microbes deterred from colonising; understanding and improving the way that electrical charge is transferred between bacteria and electrodes; optimising the design of electrodes from cheap and abundant materials, focusing on such factors as surface chemistry porosity and conductivity; designing novel fuel cells for small-scale special applications; last but not least, finding new ways to replace platinum as the electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction.
Planned Impact
Biological fuel cells utilise the properties of whole organisms (bacteria) or isolated biomolecules (enzymes) for direct production of electrical energy from the bioelectrochemical reaction of a fuel (substrate, in an anaerobic compartment) with oxygen in air. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) produce electrical power by harnessing bacterial metabolism. Through developments, MFCs have important potential for electricity production from marginal resources and biological substrates, and for the processing and removal of waste materials from aqueous waste streams. The energy contribution of MFCs therefore derives not only from electricity generation, but also from reduced biomass production (10-50%) and energy savings (MFCs are self-powering) relative to typical waste treatment processes. Scaled-up devices will have considerable potential for (i) generating electrical energy for storage (subject of the Supergen Energy Storage Consortium) for later use at higher power (e.g. in off-grid and remote locations), (ii) self-powering MFCs offering very considerable energy savings for industrial applications such as purification of waste streams (e.g. replacing power-hungry aeration in conventional wastewater treatment), (iii) miniature biological fuel cells offering grid-independent power for sensors and other low power applications. Enzyme-based fuel cells (EFCs) have distinct niche roles, where the emphasis is on small-scale technologies, such as an implantable power source or a self-powered sensor. Enzyme-based cathodes catalyse the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and enzyme-based anodes can operate with hydrogen, potentially substituting for platinum at room temperature at both electrodes. Replacement of platinum as electrocatalyst for electrical energy production is a high priority in all fuel cell programmes, because platinum group metals are expensive and their widespread use is increasingly seen as unsustainable due to resource limitation; isolated enzymes (copper oxidases) are highly efficient electrocatalysts for the ORR. Associated with the Consortium is an Industrial Club, which participates in Consortium activities under a multi-way non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Its purpose is to provide an industrial (supplier and end user) perspective on the programme (as a whole and on particular lines of work) and to enable Club organisations to remain up to date with the Consortium and its activities. The new, closely integrated programme aims to promote internationally leading, continuing rapid advance in biological fuel cell technology in the UK, which will not be achieved other than by operating in Consortium mode. The programme necessitates an exceptionally broad base in scientific and engineering backgrounds and in experimental capabilities, as is evident in the academic team assembled. Associated disciplines range from Civil Engineering via Chemical Sciences through to Microbiology, with skills ranging from modelling of microbial community dynamics via electrochemistry to engineering and biotechnological design. The twin priorities of the ongoing consortium will be (i) focussing on power generating devices and (ii) essential developments in the underlying science and engineering that control device performance. The Consortium will seek to provide intensive training opportunities for its own team and other researchers, with a particular focus on UK groups. Annual Workshops on Bioelectrochemical Technology and Devices will be Consortium-led, but not restricted solely to the topic of biological fuel cells. The training impact of the Consortium programme will therefore be extended nationally and internationally.
Organisations
- University of Oxford (Lead Research Organisation)
- iWeb Technologies (Collaboration)
- University of New Mexico (Collaboration)
- California Institute of Technology (Collaboration)
- Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion (Collaboration)
- Haydale (Collaboration)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (Collaboration)
- 2 Sisters Food Group (Collaboration)
- MAST Carbon International (Collaboration)
- Oxfam GB (Collaboration)
- Roca (Collaboration)
- World Renewable Energy Network (Collaboration)
- University of East Anglia (Collaboration)
- Pusan National University (Collaboration)
- Low Carbon Research Institute (Collaboration)
- Designworks (Collaboration)
- IKEA (Collaboration)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (Collaboration)
- Cymru H2 Wales (Collaboration)
- Morgan Advanced Materials (Collaboration)
- Heraeus (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Morgan Advanced Materials (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY (Project Partner)
- MAST Carbon (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Amini N
(2011)
Processing of strong and highly conductive carbon foams as electrode
in Carbon
Anderson I
(2011)
Power for Robotic Artificial Muscles
in IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics
Armstrong F
(2013)
Electroanalytical Chemistry - A Series of Advances: Volume 25
Armstrong F
(2010)
Fuel Cell Science - Theory, Fundamentals, and Biocatalysis
Armstrong FA
(2013)
Chemistry. Copying biology's ways with hydrogen.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Bachmeier A
(2015)
Solar-driven proton and carbon dioxide reduction to fuels-lessons from metalloenzymes.
in Current opinion in chemical biology
Bachmeier A
(2014)
Selective visible-light-driven CO2 reduction on a p-type dye-sensitized NiO photocathode.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Bachmeier A
(2014)
A multi-heme flavoenzyme as a solar conversion catalyst.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Bachmeier A
(2015)
How Formaldehyde Inhibits Hydrogen Evolution by [FeFe]-Hydrogenases: Determination by ¹³C ENDOR of Direct Fe-C Coordination and Order of Electron and Proton Transfers.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Bachmeier A
(2013)
How light-harvesting semiconductors can alter the bias of reversible electrocatalysts in favor of H2 production and CO2 reduction.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Description | Due to the introduction of new materials, power has been significantly increased from MFC units which allows MFC technology to become an important part of renewable energy sources. Preliminary work on the miniaturised MFC design has shown that the power density generated is quite remarkable for an MFC system, (miniaturisation could allow MFC stacks to be implemented in portable devices/applications). The tubular MFCs use a new design of anode, which, when using low resistance porous carbon materials. In the Hydrogen Enzyme fuel cells, we have demonstrated power development that is sufficient to drive small electronic devices with much improved stabilities. The Oxford group has established beyond reasonable doubt the mechanism of oxygen tolerance of certain nickel hydrogenases, a property that allows these enzymes to be used in fuel cells. The Oxford group has also established that electrocatalysts with activities exceeding those of precious metals can be formed from abundant elements. |
Exploitation Route | In the MFC area, Partner institutions are in direct contact with various industrial organisation, with the water industry a more than interested observer. More fundamental research is , nonetheless, warranted. In the EFC area our studies have resulted in substantial steps forward in understanding of enzyme and electrochemical cells operations. In the area of energy from biomolecules such as glucose, problems associated with cross-talk between electrodes have been identified and overcome. From the hydrogen-enzyme work, it looks likely that new catalysts will be discovered. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Education Energy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Other |
Description | The MFC themes has focused on system issues which impinge of the deployability of MFCs and BES, to the extent that there is commonality between them (particularly in the anodic system). USW previously established the principle that high aspect ratio tubular MFCs can plausibly be manufactured by cost sensitive methods and provide a means to increase system volume while maintaining near optimal physical spacing of components tubular scalable system. Hence, USW have continued to investigate the key. OXF has pioneered the chemistry of hydrogenases, not only establishing the mechanisms of oxygen tolerance and hydrogen activation, but also drawing attention to the fact that future technologies need not rely on precious metal catalysts in energy technologies. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Education,Energy |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | A study of the metagenomics-informed biochemical functionality of microbial fuel cells using DDGS as a substrate |
Amount | £615,740 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/J01916X/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2012 |
End | 08/2015 |
Description | EU and US patent costs |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2010 |
End | 01/2011 |
Description | EVOBLISS |
Amount | £445,389 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 02/2014 |
End | 01/2018 |
Description | EraSybio- Engineering the chloroplast of microalgae as a chassis for the direct production of solar fuels and chemicals |
Amount | £333,634 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/M005720/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 08/2017 |
Description | Global Innovation Initiative |
Amount | $250,000 (USD) |
Organisation | British Council |
Department | Global Innovation Initiative grant |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2014 |
End | 03/2016 |
Description | Greenius Scheme: Microbial Fuel Stacks |
Amount | £49,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | TSB Bank plc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 05/2013 |
Description | How Hydrogenases Work at the Atomic Level |
Amount | £722,942 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/N006321/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Joint Grant 2012-2014 Royal Society/NGFL China |
Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2013 |
End | 06/2015 |
Description | MFC Market Feasibility Studies |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Welsh Assembly |
Department | Welsh Government A4B programme |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2010 |
End | 01/2011 |
Description | Metal-hydrido intermediates in enzymes: atomic level mechanistic insight and technological applications of hydrogenases |
Amount | £426,912 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/L009722/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 01/2017 |
Description | New Directions Scheme: MFCC-RNC |
Amount | £247,108 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2013 |
End | 06/2015 |
Description | President's Fund for Research Visits Grants (PF13/05) "Development of a novel electrosynthetic pathway for the balanced production of 3-hydroxypropionate" |
Amount | £2,950 (GBP) |
Funding ID | PF13/05 |
Organisation | Society of General Microbiology |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2013 |
End | 12/2013 |
Description | Quorum sensing MFC, The Feasibility Study for Korea-UK Joint R&D Project, Korea Institute of Advancement of Technology |
Amount | £838 (GBP) |
Organisation | Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | Korea, Republic of |
Start | 07/2010 |
End | 11/2010 |
Description | RRfW with BES |
Amount | £138,232 (GBP) |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2014 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Resource recovery from wastewater with bioelectrochemical systems |
Amount | £593,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/L01422X/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Department | NERC Catalyst Grant |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2014 |
End | 06/2017 |
Description | Supergen H2FC Hub: Biohydrogen production by fermentation and bioelectrolysis |
Amount | £98,221 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2014 |
End | 06/2017 |
Description | An investigation into the ability of the tubular MFC (First Generation) to remove COD from food waste effluent |
Organisation | 2 Sisters Food Group |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The University of South Wales were active in producing a report on the economics and efficacy of using MFCs for in-situ wastewater treatment of process waters |
Collaborator Contribution | Interaction to inform report produced on the economics and efficacy of using MFCs for in-situ wastewater treatment of process waters |
Impact | Future opportunity to test large scale MFC system on food production wastewater effluent |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Building of a urinal/mobile phone demonstrator - DesignWorks, Windsor |
Organisation | Designworks |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaging with DesignWorks in Windsor with respect to building and commissioning of a urinal/mobile phone demonstrator |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaging with DesignWorks in Windsor with respect to building and commissioning of a urinal/mobile phone demonstrator |
Impact | No outcomes or outputs so far |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Building of demonstrator - Oxfam |
Organisation | Oxfam GB |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaged with Oxfam with respect to building a demonstrator |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaged with Oxfam with respect to building a demonstrator |
Impact | Public relations/dissemination, joint publications, joint funding |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Contributing to the agenda of the LCRI in terms of MFCs and receiving policy and Welsh Government steerage. CymruH2Wales has a significant bioprocess element, some of which are of interest to integrated processes. |
Organisation | Cymru H2 Wales |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The University of South Wales has with LCRI and CymruH2Wales been carrying out work to investigate the potential benefits of integrating biohydrogen and bioelectrochemical systems |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of South Wales has with LCRI and CymruH2Wales been carrying out work to investigate the potential benefits of integrating biohydrogen and bioelectrochemical systems |
Impact | EPSRC funding has been secured to carry out further testing on the integration of these bioprocess technologies |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Contributing to the agenda of the LCRI in terms of MFCs and receiving policy and Welsh Government steerage. CymruH2Wales has a significant bioprocess element, some of which are of interest to integrated processes. |
Organisation | Low Carbon Research Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The University of South Wales has with LCRI and CymruH2Wales been carrying out work to investigate the potential benefits of integrating biohydrogen and bioelectrochemical systems |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of South Wales has with LCRI and CymruH2Wales been carrying out work to investigate the potential benefits of integrating biohydrogen and bioelectrochemical systems |
Impact | EPSRC funding has been secured to carry out further testing on the integration of these bioprocess technologies |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Contribution by investigators at the University of South Wales to the Objectives of the AD Centre of Excellence (Wales) |
Organisation | Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | University of South Wales investigators have been investigating the integration of AD and bioelectrochemical technologies |
Collaborator Contribution | University of South Wales investigators have been investigating the integration of AD and bioelectrochemical technologies |
Impact | Further joint collaborative projects to be investigated |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Dissemination of MFC and other bioprocess knowhow to a global, typically developing world audience, through conferencing and workshops |
Organisation | World Renewable Energy Network |
Country | Global |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The University of South Wales were invited togive talks in Denver 2012 on MFC activities and 2014 in Kingston Upon Thames. Representation on the technical committee for 2014 congress, with chair responsibilities for the Biomass and Waste to Energy theme |
Collaborator Contribution | Facilitating the dissemination |
Impact | Raised profile of MFC research work in the UK and promoted dissemination of research activities and international networking |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Engagement to chair working group BBSRC NIBB ADNet: Optimisation (A Guwy) and Process Integration and Modelling (G Premier) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Department | Anaerobic Digestion Network (AD Network) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The University of South Wales has been engaged with BBSRC NIBB ADNet by means of being appointed to chair working group: Optimisation (A Guwy) and Process Integration and Modelling (G Premier) |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of South Wales has been engaged with BBSRC NIBB ADNet by means of being appointed to chair working group: Optimisation (A Guwy) and Process Integration and Modelling (G Premier) |
Impact | Kick off meeting and launch at ABDA event. Establishment of MFC/BES component in the ADNet interests, particularly industrially. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Joint research project investigating the use of bioelectrochemical systems with a metabolic engineering approach. Also, preliminary study on quoram sensing in MFCs. |
Organisation | Pusan National University |
Country | Korea, Republic of |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The University of South Wales has been engaged in a joint research project with Pusan National University investigating the use of bioelectrochemical systems with a metabolic engineering approach and a preliminary study on quorum snesing in MFCs. USW has produced a poster presentation and a USW postdoc conducted a 2 month reserch visit to PNU. |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of South Wales has been engaged in a joint research project with Pusan National University investigating the use of bioelectrochemical systems with a metabolic engineering approach and a preliminary study on quorum snesing in MFCs. USW has produced a poster presentation and a USW postdoc conducted a 2 month reserch visit to PNU. |
Impact | USW are investigating strategies to continue the research collaboration. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Material transfer and trials - ROCA |
Organisation | Roca |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaged with ROCA re material transfer and trials |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaged with ROCA re material transfer and trials |
Impact | Public relations/dissemination, joing publications, joint funding |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Representation of the UK on the IEA HIA Task 21 Biohydrogen, which has relevance to bioelectrochemical systems |
Organisation | IKEA |
Country | Sweden |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The University of South Wales have been engaged representing the UK on the IEA HIA Task 21. There are significant synergies between bioelectrochemical systems and biohydrogen production and this has facilitated further academic work looking at the integration of these processes |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of South Wales have been engaged representing the UK on the IEA HIA Task 21. There are significant synergies between bioelectrochemical systems and biohydrogen production and this has facilitated further academic work looking at the integration of these processes |
Impact | Further work will be carried out to investigate the symbiotic relationships between bioelectrochemical systems and other dark fermentation systems |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Representation on the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) specialist group |
Organisation | iWeb Technologies |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The University of South Wales have been investigating with IWA significant synergies between bioelectrochemical systems and AD and this has facilitated further academic work looking at the integration of AD processes |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of South Wales have been investigating with IWA significant synergies between bioelectrochemical systems and AD and this has facilitated further academic work looking at the integration of AD processes |
Impact | Further work is being carried out to investigate the symbiotic relationships between bioelectrochemical systems and other anaerobic processes |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Research Collaboration/ Field Trials KwaZulu-Natal |
Organisation | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaged with University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa with respect to Waste utilisation and power output from MFC stacks in real environments with aged urine |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaged with University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa with respect to Waste utilisation and power output from MFC stacks in real environments with aged urine |
Impact | Joint publications |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Research Collaboration/Field Trials |
Organisation | California Institute of Technology |
Department | Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaging with Caltech with respect to researching waste utilisation data and power output from MFC stacks in real toliets (on campus) |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of the West of England has been engaging with Caltech with respect to researching waste utilisation data and power output from MFC stacks in real toliets (on campus) |
Impact | Joint publications |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Research Collaboration/Material Trials - University of New Mexico |
Organisation | University of New Mexico |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The University of the West of England have been engaging with the University of New Mexico with respect to the production of experimental data on new MFC electrode materials |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of the West of England have been engaging with the University of New Mexico with respect to the production of experimental data on new MFC electrode materials |
Impact | Joint publications |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Supply of control software/hardware for use with high performance flat-plate MFC stack |
Organisation | Pusan National University |
Country | Korea, Republic of |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | PNU has supplied the University of South Wales with software/hardware to test high performance flat plate MFC stack and testing at PNU is ongoing by USW |
Collaborator Contribution | PNU has supplied the University of South Wales with software/hardware to test high performance flat plate MFC stack and testing at PNU is ongoing by USW |
Impact | It is anticipated that this work will provide the basis for further collaboration |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Supply of information and electrode carbons |
Organisation | MAST Carbon International |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | University of South Wales has been supplied with information and electrode carbons which they have been testing |
Collaborator Contribution | MAST has supplied information and electrode carbons |
Impact | Development of high capacitive carbon particles for use in a particle MFC reactor as part of an ongoing research activity |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Supply of information and electrode carbons |
Organisation | Morgan Advanced Materials |
Department | Morgan Group Technology Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | University of South Wales has been supplied with information and electrode carbons which have been tested |
Collaborator Contribution | Morgan has supplied information and electrode carbons |
Impact | Knowledge has been furthered and it is anticipated that there will be future development and testing with Morgan AM&T carbon materials |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Supply of information and electrode carbons and support for funding proposals |
Organisation | Haydale |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | University of South Wales have been supplied with information and electrode carbons by Haydale, and have been testing the electrode carbons |
Collaborator Contribution | Haydale has supplied information and electrode carbons and have been supportive with respect to funding proposals |
Impact | Improvements in cathodic subsystem performance |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | UEA School of Biological Sciences in-kind funding for Shewenella odenisis microbial electrochemistry |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Active participation |
Collaborator Contribution | Active participation |
Impact | Furtherance of the science |
Start Year | 2014 |
Title | A BIOLOGICAL FUEL CELL |
Description | An apparatus for use in a biological fuel cell, the apparatus including an elongate anode (1) and a flow conduit (2) though which a fluid comprising a substrate flows. The ratio of the length of the flow conduit (2) to the width of the flow conduit is at least 4: 1. In use, the biological fuel cell is arranged so that fluid flows within the flow conduit (2) along the length of the elongate anode (1) and the fluid flows substantially parallel to the anode (1) for at least 80% of its length. |
IP Reference | WO2009004341 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2009 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | The system is to be improved and elaborated to other BES functions and integrated with other bioproccesses and a route to commercialisation. Funding is currently being sought. |
Title | A Biological fuel cell |
Description | A fuel cell comprising an anode 5, a cathode 7, a catalyst, an electrolytic fluid 4, a substrate, a fluid chamber 1 and a plurality of mobile capacitive particles 10,20 that are capable of storing charge. In operation, the charged capacitive particles 10 transfer electrons generated in an electrochemical reaction to the anode 5. |
IP Reference | GB2449453 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2008 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | The patent application is no longer being supported, for lack of funding. Work of process development proceeds, but is not yet at a technology readiness level suitable for exploitation. |
Description | ALIFE14 - University of the West of England |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Presentation of the overall work performed over the last 3.5 years and the synergy between artificially controlled and biological metabolism. EcoBot IV. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://alife.org/conference/alife-14 |
Description | Conference presentation at the IWA 2012, South Korea - University of South Wales |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Dissemination of group MFC research Unknown |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Conference presentation by USW and Surrey Uni at MFC3, Netherlands |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Dissemination of group MFC research Unknown |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Distinguished lecture - OXF |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Sparked discussion None |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | EPSRC Solar Fuels Network: Advisory Board 2013- |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Advisory Expert contribution to Advisory Board |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
Description | Exposure on TSB and In-Part Forums - USW |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Raising commercial interest |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
Description | Global Partnership Fund networking event held at the IWA 2012 Conference - University of South Wales |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | To promote international collaboration through networking and raise the profile of the Supergen Biological fuel cell project Promotion of BioFC Supergen project |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | H2FC SUPERGEN, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research - University of the West of England |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Presentation by UWE of the overall findings at the time to a larger scientific audience related to electrochemistry and fuel cell technologies |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | International Conference in Seville, EHEC14 - University of the West of England |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | UWE presented findings of the final stages of the Supergen work packages and pursued a chance of publishing in a high impact journal |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Invited Lecture - OXF |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Sparked discussion Ideas about collaborative funding |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Invited lecture - OXF |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Sparked discussion None |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Supergen Bioenergy hub meetings - Surrey |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Dissemination and collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013 |
Description | Supergen Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Network: Advisory Board Member 2014- |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Participation as Advisory Board Member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Swift Lecturship 2014 at Caltech - OXF |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a prestigious lecture presented to leading eminent researchers. The title was 'The Chemistry of Biohydrogen' Scientific discussions, throughout the week I was at caltech |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | The Davison Lectures at MIT - OXF |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Sparked questions None |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | University of South Wales - Conference presentation at Symposium on microbial resources, Belgium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Dissemination of group MFC research Unknown |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | University of South Wales - Invited to present to students at Edinburgh University in an MSc Seminar Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | MSc seminar day Unknown |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | University of South Wales and Surrey - Global Partnership Fund networking event held at the MFC 3 conference, Netherlands |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | To promote international collaboration through networking and raise the profile of the Supergen Biological fuel cell project Unknown |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |