| ST.
LOUIS -- Akermin, Inc. is pleased to announce the availability of its
biofuel cell prototype for testing. The Stabilized Enzyme Biofuel
Cell (SEBCTM) provides higher energy density at a lower cost compared to
incumbent power supplies: batteries and traditional direct methanol fuel
cells (DMFC). By incorporating SEBC™ technology to immobilize and
stabilize an enzyme in a conductive polymer matrix at the cathode, renewable
organic fuels are converted into electricity by a process which is inherently
more efficient than conventional methods of portable power generation.
The stability afforded by Akermin’s enzyme immobilization polymers, measured
in years compared to days for other biofuel cell technology, enables the
first truly commercially viable biofuel cell power supply. Operating
on methanol, this prototype delivers longer device runtime. This
prototype serves to demonstrate the viability of biofuel cell technology
and delivers 3V and up to 1W pulse demand capability and is approximately
the size of two D cell batteries. Akermin is ready work with customers
interested designing a biofuel cell for their application. Akermin
continues advancing its technology to increase power output to 3-5 W units.
Akermin’s prototype incorporates
a world leading enzyme catalyzed biocathode to replace the traditional
platinum cathode found in most DMFCs. This high performance air breathing
biocathode enables several key operating and design benefits that lead
to higher efficiency, longer runtime, and reduced system cost. The
benefits of this biofuel cell include the ability to passively use nearly
pure fuel at the stack without the need for complex water recirculation,
significantly reduce susceptibility to fuel crossover, ability to use alternative
PEM’s , and improved system operating efficiency. Thus, doubling
the energy density of a conventional DMFC is achievable. Coupled
with the potential to use a variety of high energy content fuels, SEBC’s™
are more environmentally-friendly and last longer than any existing fuel
cell, delivering lower cost per Watt hour over their lifetime. Interested
parties should contact Nick Akers at 314-812-8035.
About Akermin, Inc.
Akermin, Inc., located in St.
Louis, MO, is a leading developer of stabilized enzyme solutions for producing
power, food, fuels, and specialty chemical intermediates. Through
our unique Stabilized Enzyme Biocatalysis System (SEBS™), we enable new
biocatalytic processes and make existing enzymatic transformations more
robust and efficient under a wide range of operating conditions, including
extremes of temperature and pH. Akermin's proprietary breakthrough
in the polymer encapsulation of enzymes will lead to longer-lasting and
more environmentally-friendly fuel cells and batteries, and enhance the
value of food, pharmaceutical and chemical production. SEBS™ has
demonstrated the capability to immobilize numerous enzymes and proven the
potential for Akermin's technology in multi-billion dollar markets for
enzyme-enabled products and processes. |