ProtonCells

ProtonCells are a class of electroactive hybrid cells initially developed in the 1990s by a team of researchers led by Paolo Asinari at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy. These cells combine the characteristics of both proton exchange membrane fuel cells and microbial fuel cells, hence the name ProtonCells.

ProtonCells utilize a novel type of anode that mimics the functioning of a microbial fuel cell, where microorganisms break down organic matter to generate electrons. However, unlike traditional microbial fuel cells, ProtonCells also employ a proton exchange membrane to enhance the efficiency of electron transfer and reduce the internal resistance. This hybrid approach allows ProtonCells to achieve higher power densities and longer lifetimes compared to traditional microbial fuel cells.

Asinari's team demonstrated the feasibility of ProtonCells in laboratory experiments, achieving power densities of up to 30 milliwatts per square centimeter. The results suggested significant potential for applications in bioelectrochemical systems, including wastewater treatment, and in low-power electronic devices such as sensors and logic gates.

Despite the promising early results, ProtonCells have not yet seen widespread adoption or commercialization. Efforts to scale up production and optimize the performance of ProtonCells have been ongoing, but further research is required to overcome technical challenges and fully realize the potential of these electroactive hybrid cells.