Silver nanoparticles boost charge-extraction efficiency in microbial fuel cells.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can directly convert the chemical energy stored in organic matter to electricity and are of considerable interest for power generation and wastewater treatment. However, the current MFCs typically exhibit unsatisfactorily low power densities that are largely limited by the sluggish transmembrane and extracellular electron-transfer processes. Here, we report a rational strategy to boost the charge-extraction efficiency in MFCs substantially by introducing transmembrane and outer-membrane silver nanoparticles.

On-Chip in Situ Monitoring of Competitive Interfacial Anionic Chemisorption as a Descriptor for Oxygen Reduction Kinetics.

The development of future sustainable energy technologies relies critically on our understanding of electrocatalytic reactions occurring at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces, and the identification of key reaction promoters and inhibitors. Here we present a systematic in situ nanoelectronic measurement of anionic surface adsorptions (sulfates, halides, and cyanides) on ultrathin platinum nanowires during active electrochemical processes, probing their competitive adsorption behavior with oxygenated species and correlating them to the electrokinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The competitive anionic adsorption features obtained from our studies provide fundamental insight into the surface poisoning of Pt-catalyzed ORR kinetics by various anionic species.

A Solution Processable High-Performance Thermoelectric Copper Selenide Thin Film.

A solid-state thermoelectric device is attractive for diverse technological areas such as cooling, power generation and waste heat recovery with unique advantages of quiet operation, zero hazardous emissions, and long lifetime. With the rapid growth of flexible electronics and miniature sensors, the low-cost flexible thermoelectric energy harvester is highly desired as a potential power supply. Herein, a flexible thermoelectric copper selenide (Cu Se) thin film, consisting of earth-abundant elements, is reported.

Nanoelectronic Investigation Reveals the Electrochemical Basis of Electrical Conductivity in Shewanella and Geobacter.

The electrical conductivity measured in Shewanella and Geobacter spp. is an intriguing physical property that is the fundamental basis for possible extracellular electron transport (EET) pathways. There is considerable debate regarding the origins of the electrical conductivity reported in these microbial cellular structures, which is essential for deciphering the EET mechanism.