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Enzyme Strips Pollutants from Fuel Cells:


Oxford University chemists have discovered a property in the mushroom enzyme laccase that could revolutionize the way fuel cells are produced. Most fuel cells and batteries contain a core of heavy metals, which are expensive and pollute. The chemists discovered that laccase is every bit as effective as a catalyst on fuel cell electrodes as platinum.

Growing fungi on rotten wood is considerably less expensive and harmful to the environment than mining and processing platinum and other heavy metals, so the discovery of the potential uses for mushrooms and specifically the laccase enzyme is significant.

The Oxford chemists believe that current batteries could eventually be replaced by portable power sources from laccase-coated electrodes. The prototype laccase fuel cell will produce 400 milliamps for 2,500 hours—enough for an average MP3 player. However, the researchers ultimately hope to create cell phone-sized batteries created using laccase from genetically-modified fungi. Such batteries would last for 20 recharges.

referenced from guardian.co.uk