A perspective on microfluidic biofuel cells

Abstract

This review article presents how microfluidic technologies and biological materials are paired to assist in the development of low cost, green energy fuel cell systems. Miniaturized biological fuel cells, employing enzymes or microorganisms as biocatalysts in an environmentally benign configuration, can become an attractive candidate for small-scale power source applications such as biological sensors, implantable medical devices, and portable electronics. State-of-the-art biofuel cell technologies are reviewed with emphasis on microfabrication compatibility and microfluidic fuel cell designs. Integrated microfluidic biofuel cell prototypes are examined with comparisons of their performance achievements and fabrication methods. The technical challenges for further developments and the potential research opportunities for practical cell designs are discussed.

Microfluidic Fuel Cells and Batteries

“…Since the goal of the book is to provide a comprehensive resource for both research and technology developments, it features extensive descriptions of the underlying fundamental theory, fabrication methods, and cell design principles, as well as a thorough review of previous contributions in this fi eld and a concluding chapter with recommendations for further work. It builds substantially on information collected over the last 10 years and draws specifi cally on our previously published review articles in Journal of Power Sources [2] and Biomicrofl uidics [3] and book chapter in Micro Fuel Cells : Principles and Applications [4], as well as a recent review manuscript on co-laminar fl ow cells for electrochemical energy conversion [5]. It is hoped that this book will enable new research groups to develop the next generation of microfl uidic electrochemical cells.…”

A practical guide for the fabrication of microfluidic devices using glass and silicon

“…Examples are the electrical characterization of biological samples by impedance spectroscopy, 116 particle manipulation by dielectrophoresis, [117][118][119] and microfluidic fuel cells. 120 Any electrodes placed inside microfluidic channels must usually be connected to the outside world. As described by Esashi,121 there are two main techniques that can be used for such connections Lateral feedthrough techniques (Figure 2(a)).…”

Gold coated optical fibers as three-dimensional electrodes for microfluidic enzymatic biofuel cells: Toward geometrically enhanced performance

“…Particularly, in LF-GFCs, fuel and oxidant streams can flow side by side without significant convectional mixing. [1][2][3] Because only diffusion mixing is present, anode and cathode reactions can remain sufficiently separated so that no cross-over occurs. In the meantime, protons are still allowed to transport across the fluid-fluid interface.…”