Research & Development World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Engineers create world’s smallest fuel cell, powered by biology

By R&D Editors | June 20, 2011

Carnegie
Mellon University’s Kelvin B. Gregory and Philip R. LeDuc have created
the world’s smallest fuel cell powered by bacteria. Future versions of
the biology-powered fuel cell could be used for self-powered sensing
devices in remote locations where batteries are impractical, such as
deep ocean or geological environments.

“We
have developed a biological fuel cell which uses microbial electricity
generation enabled by microfluidic flow control to produce power,” said
Gregory, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering
at Carnegie Mellon.

The
new device, the size of a single strand of human hair, generates energy
from the metabolism of bacteria on thin gold plates in
micro-manufactured channels. The fuel cell recruits necessary bacteria
to create a biofilm that utilizes natural organic compounds as fuel to
generate power.

Future
versions of this tiny bacteria-powered fuel cell could replace
batteries in microelectronic devices. While batteries are used to do
that today, fuel cells are able to store more energy in the same space.

“Our
biology-powered fuel cell could be less costly to make and more easily
deployed in remote areas than conventional  batteries that require
invasive maintenance,” said LeDuc, an associate professor of mechanical engineering with courtesy appointments in Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences and Computational Biology departments.

Both
researchers report that the evolution of microbial electricity
generation is motivated by the potential for renewable energy sources
and waste biomass to serve as a fuel for large-scale electricity
generation.

“Our
work also is prompted by increased interest in improved battery
technology for small scale electronic devices and sensors,” Gregory
said.

SOURCE

Related Articles Read More >

TUM researchers report record-setting battery electrolyte, topping prior speed by 30%
Stellantis and Factorial validate 375 Wh/kg solid-state EV cells
7 major R&D developments this week: Tariff uncertainty persists, Pfizer sells campus, Scania acquires Northvolt unit
Instant coffee tech brews up high-capacity, eco-friendly battery electrodes
rd newsletter
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, trends, and strategies in Research & Development.
RD 25 Power Index

R&D World Digital Issues

Fall 2024 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R&D magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE