A Micro-Direct Methanol Fuel Cell with Nanostructured Platinum Catalysts Using the Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Professor Reza Ghodssi (ECE/ISR) is the principal investigator for a $250,000 FY2009 Maryland Nanobiotechnology Research and Industry Competition Grant for “A Micro-Direct Methanol Fuel Cell with Nanostructured Platinum Catalysts Using the Tobacco Mosaic Virus.” The research will develop fuel cells with surface area nano-structured electrodes using the Tobacco mosaic virus. The TMV is a high aspect ratio plant nanostructure which can be genetically modified to include functional groups that facilitate electroless metal deposition and self-assembly onto gold surfaces. This biotemplating process has been integrated with standard micro-machining for the development of micro-fabricated batteries.