Dawit T. Filmon, scientist with Nicolas Plumere, ship for electrobiotechnology at the TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, holds a starting material for the polymer side chains in his hands. Image: Jan Winter / TUM
Dawit T. Filmon, scientist with Nicolas Plumere, ship for electrobiotechnology at the TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, holds a starting material for the polymer side chains in his hands. Image: Jan Winter / TUM Platinum-free biocatalyst for fuel cells and water electrolysis - An enzyme could make a dream come true for the energy industry: It can efficiently produce hydrogen using electricity and can also generate electricity from hydrogen. The enzyme is protected by embedding it in a polymer. An international research team with significant participation of scientists from Technical University of Munich (TUM) has presented the system in the renowned science journal Nature Catalysis. Fuel cells turn hydrogen into electricity, while electrolysers use electricity to split water to produce hydrogen. Both need the rare and thus expensive precious metal platinum as a catalyst. Nature has created a different solution: Enzymes, referred to as hydrogenases.
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