Distinguished iNANO Lecture: Harvesting Bioenergy - Biofuel Cells and Photobiovoltaics

Wolfgang W. Schuhmann, Lehrstuhl für Analytische Chemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany

Harvesting Bioenergy - Biofuel Cells and Photobiovoltaics

Abstract

Coupling of biocatalytic redox reactions with electrode surfaces ist he basis for harvesting energy using biomolecules as recognition element and catalyst. Due to the fact that the redox centers are often deeply buried within the protein structure of suitable enzymes, wiring of the enzyme integrated redox sites tot he electrode surface is of utmost importance.

The lecture is hence focusing on:

1. Wiring of enzymes using designed redox polymers
2. Protection of hydrogenases against oxygen and high-potential deactivation using redox-polymer based protection shields
3. Design of biofuel cells with increased open-circuit voltage
4. Improving the power output of biofuel cells based on biosupercapacitors
5. Wiring photosystem 1 and photosystem 2 to electrodes using redox polymers fort he design of biophotovoltaic cells

Acknowledgement: The contribution of all coworkers and cooperation partners is gratefully acknowledged including: Adrian Ruff, Sabine Alsaoub, Piyanut Pinyou, Felipe Conzuelo, Dmitrii Guschin, Stefanie Stapf, Nicolas Plumeré, Sascha Pöller, Julian Szczesny, Tim Bobrowski, Elena Gonzales Arribas, Sergey Shleev, Wolfgang Lubitz, Marc M. Nowaczyk, Matthias Rögner, Olaf Rüdiger

Host: Associate professor Elena Ferapontova, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center Aarhus, Aarhus University