Biofuel Cells Could Run on Energy Drinks
Now I know energy drinks have the word 'energy' in them, but did anyone even think that we'd one day use them for power\? Well according to new research, we one day very well might. Researchers at St. Louis University in Missouri have developed experimental biofuel cells that use mitochondria to extract energy from energy drinks.
Cell mitochondria are often referred to as the “power station” of a cell since they break down and re-form molecules into energy the cell can use. The biofuel cells rely on the natural technology of electrons being released as molecules are broken down and re-built. All these electrons could be harnessed to create electricity. Typically, enzymes are most efficient at breaking down glucose, methanol, and other energy source molecules. However, about 22 enzymes are needed to break down glucose. It is difficult to engineer a way for the enzymes to work in concert. This is where the mitochondria come in. Mitochondria can efficiently metabolize the molecular activity of all the enzymes to extract the energy from a wider variety of fuels, including the mixtures found in energy drinks.
The final purpose of the mitochondria biofuel cells is to produce as much electricity as possible. To this end, the researchers have a long road ahead of them while they experiment with different materials to be used in the biofuel cells. Extensive future research notwithstanding, these biofuel cells are an exciting foray into the real possibilities of combining biotechnology and nanotechnology.