Biofuel Cells Controlled by Logically Processed Biochemical Signals: Towards Physiologically Regulated Bioelectronic Devices

Abstract

Biofuel cells with a switchable power release controlled by biochemical signals, which can be logically processed by biomolecular computing systems, have been designed. The switchable properties of the biofuel cells were based on the polymer-brush-modified electrodes with the activity dependent on the solution pH value. The pH changes generated in situ by biocatalytic reactions allowed the reversible activation-inactivation of the bioelectrocatalytic interfaces-thus affecting the activity of the entire biofuel cells. Boolean logic operations performed by either enzyme- or immune-based systems were functionally integrated with the switchable biocatalytic process allowing logic control over them. Scaling up the complexity of the biocomputing systems to complex multi-component logic networks with a built-in "program" resulted in the control of the bioelectronic systems by multi-signal patterns of biochemical inputs. Future implantable biofuel cells producing electrical power on-demand depending on physiological conditions are feasible, as the result of the present research.

Enzymatic Electrosynthesis: An Overview on the Progress in Enzyme- Electrodes for the Production of Electricity, Fuels and Chemicals

“…Cells and enzymes encapsulated within electrospun nanofibers can be a straightforward and cost-effective method as well as they can play a role on controlling the viscosity of the electrolyte solution [170][171][172][173]. Polymer-brush-modified electrodes were also studied for their application in e-BES but the activity is dependent on the pH of the solution [174]. The polymeric materials are also employed to achieve additional functionalities such as receptors in the form of a polymer matrix, mediators, or as ion-selective membranes [175].…”

Starch‐Powered Biofuel Cell Activated by Logically Processed Biomolecular Signals

“…pH variation) have been designed for different bioelectronic applications, which have been utilized in biofuel cells to allow external control of the generated electrical power; see Figure 1. [20] Functional integration of switchable electrode interfaces with biomolecular information-processing systems [21] has allowed for the development of biocatalytic electrodes [22] and biofuel cells [23] controlled by complex combinations of logically processed biomolecular signals. It should be noted that in all switchable electrodes, the activity changes were obtained by the restructuring of an organic thin film or monolayer deposited on the surface.…”

Biocatalytic Paradigms for Unconventional Information Processing

“…[27] The switchable electrode and its electrochemical processes are not only a method of detection and transduction, this approach can also be applied as either the anode or cathode of a biofuel cell, however, the switches to control biofuel cells are a rather extensive area and are out of the scope of the present review. [33] These AND, OR and Reset gates described above and designed to control the pH were also coupled to Field-effect silicon chips, which could provide an electrical output signal in terms of capacitance variation. [34] A Silicon chip prepared on an aluminum layer is functionalized with thiol groups via a reaction with a thiolated silane coupling agent.…”