A young breed of scientists from Feati University recently discovered a way that these common household pests can produce energy. The invention, a biological fuel cell, is a device that uses pests’ enzymes (a protein found in all living things) to directly convert biochemical energy into electricity. Since it utilizes natural substances, biofuel cells are cheaper and environment friendly as opposed to batteries which use expensive metals to act as catalysts for the power-producing reaction.

Fourth-year chemical engineering students Kristine Ann Sotelo, Ivy Oclares, Eliza Matote and Leda Firmanes, under the tutelage of their adviser, Frisco Lopez, have developed a biologically safe alternative to expensive fuel and batteries.

According to Lopez, bacteria containing the enzyme Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD), such as E-coli, are the effective catalysts in biofuel cells. Through research and consultations with other chemists, their team discovered that several local organisms like mosquitoes, rats, cockroaches and flies all bear this enzyme.

Lopez began studying the possibility of using bacteria as an alternative energy source in 1997, but a demanding job prevented him from extending his research. When Feati launched an interdepartment project competition for the university’s 59th foundation anniversary, he saw this as the perfect opportunity to pursue his study.

With his help, four of his outstanding students worked to conceptualize, research and test the project. "It was very difficult," Ivy Oclares said, "because the study was extensive and we had to test some experiments outside the campus." Schoolmates occasionally teased them because they dealt with "dirty" insects. Determination and curiosity drove them to complete the study.

Using beakers as prototypes of fuel cells, the researchers tested various insects to catalyze the reaction (a pest can produce 0.5 to 1.25 volts per bial), but cock roaches gave them the highest amperage, the strength of electrical current needed for an equipment to work.

After combining the pests with the redox chemicals (chemicals needed to create the reaction in which both oxidation and reduction take place), and placing them in the fuel cells, they arranged the cells in a series circuit connection. This set-up connected to any low-voltage apparatus such as a 12V fluorescent lamp or a 24V stove, produced energy to power both.