Abstract:
A transducer that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy, the transducer includes: a dielectric layer; a first electrode that is provided on one surface of the dielectric layer; and a second electrode that is provided on another surface of the dielectric layer. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode becomes an insulator, before the dielectric layer suffers insulation breakdown by voltage that is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of producing a recombinant bilirubin oxidase, including a step wherein a bilirubin oxidase gene derived from imperfect filamentous fungus Myrothecium verrucaria is introduced to Escherichia coli and expression thereof is allowed. Also disclosed is a recombinant bilirubin oxidase obtained by this production method. This recombinant bilirubin oxidase has an enzymatic activity higher than that of a natural bilirubin oxidase derived from the imperfect filamentous fungus Myrothecium verrucaria.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biofuel cell in which fuel can be supplied to a plurality of cells connected in series.SOLUTION: In the biofuel cell having a stacked-cell structure in which power generation parts each provided with an electrode (an anode and/or a cathode) having oxidoreductase present on a surface thereof are connected in series, a fuel supply part communicating with fuel injection ports of the respective power generation parts is provided. After a fuel solution is injected from the fuel supply part, the fuel supply part and the respective fuel injection ports are closed by a lid, thereby keeping the charged fuel solution separated.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for increasing an output of a microbial fuel cell.SOLUTION: There is provided a microbial fuel cell using a polyol, such as glycerol, as fuel, and microbes, in which an enzyme catalyzing an oxidation-reduction reaction is introduced by genetic modification, on the negative electrode side. In the microbial fuel cell, a high output can be obtained by maintaining the microbes, in which an enzyme, such as diaphorase, catalyzing an oxidation-reduction reaction is introduced by genetic modification, on the negative electrode side, thereby accelerating a rate of the reaction.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bio fuel cell module which can be utilized for a long period of time and easily supplied with fuel.SOLUTION: A bio fuel cell module is fabricated by laminating a plurality of plate-like or sheet-like fuel cells having one or more power generation parts provided with an electrode with a redox enzyme existing on the surface thereof, making uniform the positions of their fuel supply parts. This bio fuel cell module makes it possible to supply fuel to all of fuel cells or any number of fuel cells. Moreover, it is also possible to allow an electrode part provided in the power generation part of each fuel cell to be replaceable.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biofuel battery and a power supply device capable of replenishing a battery main body with fuel without using a fuel cartridge.SOLUTION: A fuel supplying part consisting of, for example, a beehive base or a beehive plate for honey bees, is provided on one surface of a power generation part having electrodes (an anode and a cathode) on whose surfaces a redox enzyme exists, and collection and/or modification of fuel is performed by organisms such as honey bees. At this time, if needed, filter materials such as a nonwoven fabric and a cellophane are arranged between the anode and the beehive base or the beehive plate to supply the honey to the anode via these filter materials.