Biomass is an attractive energy and chemical source due to its ubiquity, especially in remote operating environments. Processing of biomass into useful forms can be accomplished using microorganisms.  For example, microbes can convert biomass into fuel molecules such as ethanol that are more easily used for power generation. Conventional fuel cells can be coupled with these fermentation to allow continuous power generation.  Alternatively, microorganisms can directly generate electricity from the oxidation of biomass in a microbial fuel cell.  While the power densities of microbial fuel cells are low, they have good coulombic efficiencies and can run on diverse substrates.  Similar systems can also be used to reduce molecules for bioelectrochemical synthesis.  Here, we examine how material binding peptides designed to improved bio-abiotic contact at surfaces can enhance current generation in microbial fuel cells. The role of the peptide chemical structure and the display location (e.g., coat protein vs fimbriae) will be discussed, along with perspectives for further enhancements in bioelectrochemical systems.         <br/>

Enhanced power generation in microbial fuel cells using material binding peptides

255th National Meeting (2018)

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