Engineers from the University of Utah have developed the world's first room-temperature fuel cell that uses enzymes to generate electricity from jet fuel without igniting the fuel itself.

These new fuel cells can be used to power portable electronics, off-grid power systems and even sensors.

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Fuel cells can convert energy into electricity using a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxygen-rich source such as air. Therefore, if there is a continuous flow of fuel, a fuel cell can generate clean and affordable electricity.

While batteries usually power electric cars and generators, fuel cells are currently being used for a variety of purposes such as power generators in building and to power fuel-cell vehicles such as prototype hydrogen-powered cars.

"The major advance in this research is the ability to use Jet Propellant-8 directly in a fuel cell without having to remove sulfur impurities or operate at very high temperature," said the study's senior author, Shelley Minteer, a University of Utah professor of materials science engineering, and chemistry.

She adds the work shows JP-8 and probably others can be used as fuels for low-temperature fuel cells with the right chemicals that can speed reactions between other chemicals, or catalysts.

 JP-8 is a kerosene-based jet fuel used by the military in extreme conditions such as scorching deserts or subzero temperatures.

It contains sulfur, which makes it hard to convert the fuel into electricity using standard techniques. The sulfur can impair metal catalysts used to oxidize fuel in traditional fuel cells. It also converts only 30 percent of fuel into electricity; an inefficient method.

These constraints were overcome when researchers used JP-8 in an enzymatic fuel cell in which enzymes acted as the catalysts. These fuel cells can operate at room temperature and can also tolerate sulfur.

Currently, the team will focus on designing the fuel cell and improving its efficiency in generating electricity.

Tagsjet fuel, Electricity, Jet Propellant-8, JP-8