A H2/O2 enzymatic fuel cell as a sustainable power for a wireless device

We report the first example of an H2/O2 enzymatic fuel cell able to power a wireless transmission system. Oxygen-tolerant hydrogenase from Aquifex aeolicus and bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria were incorporated from diluted solutions in carbon felt-based material, allowing mediatorless catalytic currents more than 1mA to be reached. The enzymatic fuel cell open circuit voltage was 1.12V, and short circuit current was 767μA. It delivered a maximum power of 410μW, sufficient to power the electronic device that measured in real time the anodic/cathodic compartments and room temperatures, the voltage of the capacitor and voltage output of the enzymatic fuel cell itself. Notably, data were sent every 25s during 7hours of continuous operation which constitute the highest performances ever reported for a realistic environmental application fully powered with an enzymatic fuel cell. [Display omitted] •Carbon nanotube-modified felts were used as platforms for enzyme incorporation.•Hydrogenase and bilirubin oxidase were efficiently incorporated from diluted solutions.•Enzymatic H2 oxidation and O2 reduction lead to catalytic currents more than 1mA.•A power of 400μW was measured for the enzymatic H2/O2 fuel cell.•The fuel cell powered a wireless device with an average frequency of data sending of 25s.