HUNTSVILLE, Ala. November 26, 2012 – CFD Research Corporation has extended its position as a leader in enzymatic fuel cell technology with the addition of enzymatic cathode technology from Akermin, Inc.
CFDRC’s Bio-Battery harvests energy from readily-available fuels such as sugars, alcohols, or even blood and converts them directly into electrical energy similar to the way humans convert food into energy. It is an ultra-high energy density fuel cell which uses biological enzymes as catalysts as opposed to toxic and expensive rare-earth metals in traditional batteries. The Bio-Battery has been featured nationally on Bloomberg TV and in The Economist magazine as well as locally at TEDx-Huntsville.
The heart of CFDRC’s device is a nanocomposite anode which contains enzymes capable of oxidizing glucose and other fuels, releasing electrons and generating energy. Akermin’s technology also utilizes enzymes to reduce oxygen, but on the cathode side. “Licensing our enzymatic cathode technology to CFDRC, a world leader in EFC technology, is a win-win for us. This will accelerate the commercialization of this exciting technology, while allowing Akermin to focus on another important portion of our platform technology; the use of a biocatalyst driven system for the management of carbon dioxide in large industrial plants,” said Barry Blackwell president & CEO of Akermin.
CFDRC has been developing the Bio-Battery since 2004 through highly-competitive federal contracts. “We are excited to include Akermin’s technology in our portfolio,” said Sameer Singhal, director of Bio and Energy Technologies for CFDRC. “Integrating our technologies will result in a high performing fully enzymatic fuel cell system and allow us to bring this game changing technology to market.”
The Bio-Battery has multiple civilian and military applications for wide ranging applications due its longer life, lower weight, and reduced environmental profile. CFDRC is working with the U.S. Army to help reduce the number of batteries soldiers carry. Additionally, the Bio-Battery can be used for remote monitoring, off-grid power, and for disaster relief. The technology has been demonstrated as an implantable power source operating on sugar in the bodily fluids of living organisms, a first step toward powering implantable medical devices.
About CFDRC
CFD Research Corporation develops and commercializes innovative technologies for Biomedical, Energy, and Aerospace markets. CFDRC, founded in 1987, is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.
Additional information can be found by visiting www.cfdrc.com/biobattery.
Contact:
Richard Thoms
Manager, Technology Partnerships
rdt@cfdrc.com
256-726-4810
