New mitochondria fuel cell uses soda to power laptops and cell phones
29 August 2010 | Alternative Energy | 1 Comment
Scientists presented at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society their new mitochondria fuel cell, that uses sugar to produce electricity. It may sound weird, but this is true! Once again inspired by nature and living organisms, scientists used in their experiments a particular compound found in organic cells (the mitochondria) that can convert sugar and fats into energy.
In every cell of our body mitochondria produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a substance which stores energy until needed. To make this substance, mitochondria uses pyruvate, a chemical formed from the digestion of fats and sugars. Scientists said that the amount of ATP produced every day by mitochondria is equal to our body weight.
So, similarly to this biological model, scientists have created a new type of fuel cell that uses a thin layer of mitochondria to produce electricity. This layer is placed between two electrodes, so when fats or sugars reaches there, a chemical reaction produces usable energy.
Scientists already found many uses for these new “batteries”, and they hope that one day all our gadgets will use such systems. “This is the first demonstration of a new class of biofuel cells. When further developed, these devices have the potential for replacing disposable and rechargeable batteries in a wide variety of consumer electronics and other products. It is the first such device based on one of the microscopic parts of the billions upon billions of cells that make up the body.”, said Shelley Minteer, Ph.D., who presented the report.
Source: Newswise
Tags: atp energy, energy storage, fuel cell, mitochondria, mitochondria fuel cell, soda fuel cell, sugar power
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