Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Enzyme Bio-Battery Runs on Ethanol

Posted by chrisd on from the douglas-adams-was-right dept.

mpthompson writes "According to this article at New Scientist.com substantial progress is being made on enzyme-catalyzed ethanol based batteries to run cell phones and laptops. Such batteries promise to be cheaper, safer and less toxic than previously demonstrated methanol based fuel cells."

5 of 196 comments (clear)

  1. The major problem of the next year may well be... by ketamine-bp · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Overheating.

    We all know that the enzymes hate heat - that is, they get denatured by heat. From what I feel on my lap when a laptop was put on it, I really wonder how do something as sensitive as enzyme withstand the working temperature of a computer (I guess that'll be one of the application, from the article).

    When you shrink that (from the article, they are going to.), the problem goes even more wild... ;-)

  2. This isn't news by the_other_one · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ethanol powered phones have been arround for decades.

    I have talked to God on the porcelin telephone many times.

    --
    134340: I am not a number. I am a free planet!
  3. Re:The major problem of the next year may well be. by Rich0 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I really wonder how do something as sensitive as enzyme withstand the working temperature of a computer

    There is a whole industry based on developing crosslinked enzyme crystals which are useful in industrial applications as catalysts. The crystals are literally poured out of plastic bottles as a powder and many can function in organic solvents (which would completely denature ordinary enzymes). The cross-linking holds together the overall tertiary structure of the enzyme, and the enzyme tends to hang onto water where it needs it to maintain secondary structure.

    I don't know exactly how thermally stable they are, but I imagine they can take quite a bit. While the technology probably hasn't been applied to the enzymes in question I imgaine that if the money was there it could be done.

  4. A possible end to crop subsidies? by Bonker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Man, it would be really great if you could walk into a grocerie store and buy 'Ethanol Packets' next to the Duracells, Energizers, and Ray-o-Vacs.

    No, not to drink, you lushes. It would mean that there would be a new demand for vegetable crops, Corn in particular. While the DoA is one of the most corrupt branches of our government, one can't help but think that a new demand for corn in the form of a non-perishable liquid would cut the amount of money currently being used for subsidies.

    An ethanol economy is not quite as desirable as a hyrdrogen economy, but it can still be very good.

    --
    The next Slashdot story will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush and slashdot the links early!
  5. Cost by Stripsurge · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yes, ethanol is cheap to make but expensive to buy. There'd have to some law changes to avoid having to pay the taxes associated with buying consumable alcohol. Using ethanol in the chem lab is pricy.