Development of 3D printed enzymatic biofuel cells for powering implantable biomedical devices.

4-year PhD studentship, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (4 years) within the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Additive Manufacturing in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham. http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/additivemanufacturing/.

The challenges that meet the successful development of enzymatic biofuel cells include the stable assembly of enzymes at electrodes surface in a way that high enzyme loading can be achieved, effective rates of electron transfer between enzyme and electrode, and high rates of mass transport. Although significant progress in enzymatic biofuel cells development has been achieved so far (electrode modification with conductive polymers, mesoporous materials, nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, or enzyme engineering), major improvements in power density and fuel cell stability has to be still undertaken, especially when considering their use for powering implantable medical devices. The smaller the biofuel cells are, the lower the amounts of active electrode materials available, and thus reduced total energy and power output.

The aim of the project is to use three-dimensional (3-D) nanoporous gold electrode architectures by using complex shapes and geometries achieved with 3D printing to enhance the amount of enzyme loading, enhance interaction between the enzyme and substrate, and facilitate electron transfer between the enzyme and electrode. Using micro size three dimensional electrodes architectures offers high surface area hence provides considerable opportunities to maximize output power density and reduce the mass transport distances between the electrodes. The focus of the project will be to develop a prototype fuel cell and evaluate different fuel cell designs (device configuration) to increase the current response. A range of electrodes, with different pore diameters and pore length, will be prepared by printing techniques and the effect of their geometries and arrangement on the enzymatic biofuel cells performance will be investigated. Immobilization of a range of enzymes will be investigated by adsorption and by covalent attachment (e.g via thiol, conducting polymers). Electrochemical, microscopic, and spectroscopic techniques will be used for system characterisation. In addition, the mechanism of redox reaction performed by the enzyme can be investigated using modelling based on quantum and molecular mechanics.

How to apply
Please send a copy of your covering letter, CV and academic transcripts to [Email Address Removed] referring to the project title.