Designing Nanostructures at the Interface between Biomedical and Physical Systems Conference Focus Group Summaries (2005) / Chapter Skim
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Grow a Biological In Vitro Power Source on a Chip
Grow a Biological In Vitro Power Source on a Chip
Pages 73-78
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From page 73... ...
A biologically driven energy source is an appealing alternative, especially one that could convert waste into energy. The Problem Consider the design of a power source that is biological in nature and provides an energy output that can be utilized reasonably in an industrial setting (i.e., electricity, hydrogen)
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From page 74... ...
. FOCUS GROUP SUMMARY Summary written by: Jessica Marshall, Graduate Student, Science Communication Program, University of California, Santa Cruz Focus group members: · Clemens Burda, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University · Jennifer Cha, Research Staff Member, Department of Advanced Organic Materials, IBM Almaden Research Center · Andrew Ellington, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin · Mark Humayan, Professor, School of Medicine, University of Southern California
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From page 75... ...
But below the title, the problem description explained the goal as a technology that "should have the potential of improving the current costs to produce clean energy." This description implied to other group members that the aim was to devise a large-scale alternative energy source-replacing photovoltaics, for example -- based on biology. The researchers' first job, then, was defining the problem.
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From page 76... ...
The group also discussed unusual examples of energy generation in nature, including the electric eel, capable of producing a single 600-volt shock each hour. They discussed microbiological approaches to energy conversion, noting the disadvantage that microorganisms are evolved to use harvested solar or chemical energy for growth, not for surplus power generation.
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From page 77... ...
A small, implantable biological power source would be biocompatible and alleviate concerns about implantation safety and disposal of today's batteries, which contain metals and other highly toxic components; modern implanted batteries must be carefully encased before implantation. Although the ideas generated by the group may seem fantastic, the
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From page 78... ...
78 DESIGNING NANOSTRUCTURES researchers' commitment to assessing a minimum of feasibility was a key aspect of the discussion. Indeed, one of the biologists summed up the session with his own punch line, satisfied that the group met at least one standard in their proposals: "I don't think we've violated any laws of thermodynamics." That's a good start.
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