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

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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

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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