New fermentation method increases hydrogen production
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.028807
MIT Technology Review : Normal fermentation processes rely on microorganisms, which produce enzymes that convert sugars into usable products, among them hydrogen gas for fuel cells. Now, Percival Zhang of Virginia Tech and his colleagues have developed a hydrogen creation technique that uses enzymes alone. In the group’s experiments, the technique produced three times as much hydrogen as did conventional fermentation. Their demonstration used just a 2-ml reactor vessel, but the process appears to be nearly as fast and energy efficient as current, microorganism-based ones. To scale their process up for commercialization, the researchers must find a way to reduce the cost of the enzymes used.