Yeast-powered fuel cell feeds on human blood - tech - 01 April 2009 - New Scientist

Yeast-powered fuel cell feeds on human blood - tech - 01 April 2009 - New Scientist

UBC Researchers have developed a prototype fuel cell that is powered by blood plasma. The fuel cell consists of a strain of baker's yeast that is encapsulated in silicone. The yeast consumes glucose found in the blood plasma, generating electrons in the process. Methyl blue is used to strip the electrons out of the cells and transports them to the anode. The circuit is complete when hydrogen ions diffuse out of the yeast cells and onyl the cathode. The resulting system only generates about 40 nanowatts but the researchers are hopeful that this output can be increased. The greatest concern at the moment is how to safely dispose of the waste products of metabolism out of the fuel cell.