Laminar flow-based biofuel cells: Independent tailoring of the pH at the cathode and anode to enhance the activity and stability of both enzymes

A major challenge in improving the performance of enzymatic biofuel cells has been the need to operate at a certain compromise pH that may be optimal for the activity and stability of one enzyme, but sub optimal for the other. Laminar flow-based fuel cells that enable independent tailoring of the conditions, e.g., pH at the cathode and anode, have been developed. Aqueous fuel and oxidant containing streams are brought together in a common microfluidic channel while flowing laminarly in parallel over electrodes that line opposing sidewalls of the microfluidic channel. A discussion on how these membraneless fuel cells allow for the respective biocatalyst to be exposed to a pH that optimizes their activity as well as stability, thereby improving overall performance and longevity of enzymatic biofuel cells is presented. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 230th ACS National Meeting (Washington, DC 8/28/2005-9/1/2005).