Researchers from Indiana University have developed a biomaterial that catalyzes the formation of hydrogen. The material, called P-22 Hyd, is a capsid (modified enzyme that gains strength from being protected within the protein shell) of a bacterial virus. It is 150 times more efficient than the unaltered form of the enzyme and is produced through a simple fermentation process at room temperature. The resulting biomaterial, called “P22-Hyd,” is not only more efficient than the unaltered enzyme but also is produced through a simple fermentation process at room temperature. P-22 Hyd is created from two genes of E. coli inserted into the capsid. The material is potentially less expensive and more environmentally friendly than other materials currently used to create fuel cells. In addition, P22-Hyd breaks the chemical bonds of water to create hydrogen and works in reverse to recombine hydrogen and oxygen to generate power. As a next step, the researchers are looking into ways to activate a catalytic reaction with sunlight rather than through the introduction of elections in a lab.
Source: EurekAlert
