Biological and microbial fuel cells

Biological fuel cells have attracted increasing interest in recent years because of their applications in environmental treatment, energy recovery, and small-scale power sources. Biological fuel cells are capable of producing electricity in the same way as a chemical fuel cell: there is a constant supply of fuel into the anode and a constant supply of oxidant into the cathode; however, typically the fuel is a hydrocarbon compound present in the wastewater, for example. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are also a promising technology for efficient wastewater treatment and generating energy as direct electricity for onsite remote application. MFCs are obtained when catalyst layer used into classical fuel cells (polymer electrolyte fuel cell) is replaced with electrogenic bacteria. A particular case of biological fuel cell is represented by enzyme-based fuel cells, when the catalyst layer is obtained by immobilization of enzyme on the electrode surface. These cells are of particular interest in biomedical research and health care and in environmental monitoring and are used as the power source for portable electronic devices. The technology developed for fabrication of enzyme electrodes is described. Different enzyme immobilization methods using layered structures with self-assembled monolayers and entrapment of enzymes in polymer matrixes are reviewed. The performances of enzymatic biofuel cells are summarized and approaches on further development to overcome current challenges are discussed. This innovative technology will have a major impact and benefit to medical science and clinical research, health care management, and energy production from renewable sources. Applications and advantages of using MFCs for wastewater treatment are described, including organic matter removal efficiency and electricity generation. Factors affecting the performance of MFC are summarized and further development needs are accentuated

Renewable energy for Latium: looking for innovative technologies in PV and solar thermal field.

European METTTES Project, financed within the FP6-2005-INNOV-7 call, aimed to test a new methodology to encourage the launch of transnational collaborations technology based among European small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and/or research organizations, focusing its attention on regional technology demand, influenced by changes in regulations and standards and fostered by local incentives. METTTES considered European directives, national, regional and local measures (i.e. incentives, projects, etc.) potentially influencing companies’ behavior. In addition, METTTES has also taken into account the IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) Directive 96/61/EC, whose purpose is to achieve an integrated pollution prevention and control from the industrial activities. At the end of these analysis, METTTES derived the technology demand not from the needs of individual enterprises, but instead from the regional system. A certain number of Regional Demand Profiles (RDPs) on particular interesting industrial fields have been collected at European level; the documentation includes a comprehensive analysis and detailed presentation of current regional technology demands and forecasts as well as foresight regarding future demands triggered by legal requirements new administrative regulations or national environmental policy and BATs analysis. Each RDP document has been edited with the collaboration of local stakeholders and administrations and by auditing involving SMEs. Results of each RDP have been high quality Technology Requests (TRs) expressed by local companies which seek technological collaboration. For Latium Region this task has been performed by CNR in the sector of PV and solar thermal technologies

Functional nanomaterials for energy and sustainability

In view of the continuous decline in fossil fuel reserves, at a time when energy demands are steadily increasing, a diverse range of emerging nanotechnologies promise to secure modern solutions to the prehistoric energy problem. Each one of those distinct approaches capitalizes on different principles, concepts and methodologies to address different application requirements, but their common objective is to open a window to a sustainable energy future. Consequently, they all deserve substantial (though not necessarily equal) consideration from the scientific and engineering community. In this review we present bottom-up strategies that show great promise for the development of a new generation of advanced materials for energy applications without compromising the public safety or the environment

Sizing and Energy Management of a Hybrid Locomotive Based on Flywheel and Accumulators

The French National Railways Company (SNCF) is interested in the design of a hybrid locomotive based on various storage devices (accumulator, flywheel, and ultracapacitor) and fed by a diesel generator. This paper particularly deals with the integration of a flywheel device as a storage element with a reduced-power diesel generator and accumulators on the hybrid locomotive. First, a power flow model of energy-storage elements (flywheel and accumulator) is developed to achieve the design of the whole traction system. Then, two energy-management strategies based on a frequency approach are proposed. The first strategy led us to a bad exploitation of the flywheel, whereas the second strategy provides an optimal sizing of the storage device. Finally, a comparative study of the proposed structure with a flywheel and the existing structure of the locomotive (diesel generator, accumulators, and ultracapacitors) is presented

Sealing member and combination thereof and method of producing said sealing member Patent

Electrode sealing and insulation for fuel cells containing caustic liquid electrolytes using powdered plastic and meta

Perspective Non-Fluorinated and Partially Fluorinated Polymers for Low-Temperature PEM FC

The main requirement to the materials used to make membranes polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM FC) is the combination of high proton conductivity and resistance to the FC operation conditions. Thus, the search for inexpensive and high-performance non-fluorinated or partially fluorinated materials for use as FC membranes is an actual task today, since the use of membranes based on perfluorosulfonate acid has a number of disadvantages limiting their application. The aim of this study is the investigation of sulfonated polyimide (SPI) and materials for use as FC membranes. The relevance of research stems from the fact that the use of the SPI will allow to increase the resistance of the membrane to the constantly changing environment in which PEM operates. The objects of research are sulfonated polyimides. SPIs, especially aromatic SPIs, are attractive to researchers, because of the possibility of obtaining a wide variety of chemical structures and also due to their excellent thermal, mechanical properties and high resistance to aggressive media. The results of this study will be methods of obtaining and evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of SPI-based materials. For the first time, special attention will be paid to advanced development based on SPI with the addition of crown-ether fragments

An overview of advances in biomass gasification

Biomass gasification is a widely used thermochemical process for obtaining products with more value and potential applications than the raw material itself. Cutting-edge, innovative and economical gasification techniques with high efficiencies are a prerequisite for the development of this technology. This paper delivers an assessment on the fundamentals such as feedstock types, the impact of different operating parameters, tar formation and cracking, and modelling approaches for biomass gasification. Furthermore, the authors comparatively discuss various conventional mechanisms for gasification as well as recent advances in biomass gasification. Unique gasifiers along with multi-generation strategies are discussed as a means to promote this technology into alternative applications, which require higher flexibility and greater efficiency. A strategy to improve the feasibility and sustainability of biomass gasification is via technological advancement and the minimization of socio-environmental effects. This paper sheds light on diverse areas of biomass gasification as a potentially sustainable and environmentally friendly technology