Symposium 14
Enzymes and Microbes for Energy Production in Biofuel Cells and Microbial Fuel cells
Sponsoring Divisions: Division 2, Bioelectrochemistry and Division 3, Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage
This symposium focuses on how enzymes and microorganisms can be used as biological catalysts in fuel cells for the production of clean energy and other applications. This research field is highly multidisciplinary and encompasses both fundamental issues and clearly claimed ambitious applicative goals. It is expected that this forum will bring together contributions from a diverse range of specialists involved in this kind of research such as bioelectrochemists, biochemists, microbiologists, plant physiologists, environmental and electrochemical engineers, fuel cell specialists and others, for a fruitful exchange of ideas and productive debates.
Topics will include:
- Current approaches for the wiring of enzymes to electrodes: surface engineering, immobilization techniques, physical and chemical stability with time, redox mediators and polymers, enzyme and substrate diversity, type of surface, direct electron transfer, etc.
- Electron transfer mechanisms between microorganisms and electrodes: membrane-bound compounds, naturally secreted redox mediators, conductive pili, structure of electro-active biofilms, electrochemical mechanisms in complex microbial populations, etc.
- Energetics of biofuel cells and microbial fuel cells: modelling, limits, power output estimates
- Applications of biofuel cells and microbial fuel cells: medical, electronics, sensing, water treatment, electrosynthesis, hydrogen production, power production.
- Challenges and future for biofuel cell and microbial fuel cells: limitations, bottlenecks, sustainability, new avenues (use of plants, eukaryotes, microbial cathodes, etc.).
Symposium organizers
Frédéric Barrière, (Coordinator) Université de Rennes 1, France
fbarrier@univ-rennes1.fr
Alain Bergel, CNRS Toulouse,France
alain.bergel@ensiacet.fr
Evgeny Katz, Clarkson University, Potsdam, USA
ekatz@clarkson.edu
Martin Winter, University of Muenster, Germany
martin.winter@uni-muenster.de
