A flexible micro biofuel cell utilizing hydrogel containing ascorbic acid

Miniaturized ascorbic acid fuel cells with flexible electrodes made of graphene-coated carbon fiber cloth

“…31) The power densities of the fructose BFCs reported by Miyake et al 23) and Haneda et al 30) were more than ten times greater than those of the glucose BFCs because fructose is much more reactive than glucose. The AAFC power density of 34.1 µW=cm 2 at 0.35 V in the 100 mM AA solution was larger than that of the previously reported AAFCs by Mogi et al 43) and Goto et al 48) Ultralow-power circuits for wireless sensor networking are strongly required for Internet of Things (IoT) society infrastructures, and extensive studies have been carried out to realize wireless transceiver=receiver systems that function at very low powers of less than 100 µW. 53) Ayers et al 54) reported an ultralow-power receiver for wireless sensor networks that functioned at 215 µW.…”

“…However, they utilized porous carbon electrodes deposited on a flexible PI film, and these electrodes cracked after repeated bending of the BFC. Goto et al 48) reported a portable BFC with porous carbon electrodes on a flexible PI substrate that was powered by a solid fuel unit made of solidified agarose hydrogel containing AA. However, the miniaturized AAFCs reported by Mogi et al 43) and Goto et al 48) exhibited much lower power density of between 1.08 and 1.96 µW=cm 2 at a relatively high AA fuel concentration of between 100 and 200 mM.…”

“…Goto et al 48) reported a portable BFC with porous carbon electrodes on a flexible PI substrate that was powered by a solid fuel unit made of solidified agarose hydrogel containing AA. However, the miniaturized AAFCs reported by Mogi et al 43) and Goto et al 48) exhibited much lower power density of between 1.08 and 1.96 µW=cm 2 at a relatively high AA fuel concentration of between 100 and 200 mM. Thus, these AAFCs require further improvement in their power density for their application as implantable AAFCs in in vivo environments.…”