Advanced Energy Materials and Research

Biomaterials for Energy production

With increasing energy demand, world’s energy supply is likely to drop in the near future due to the declining fossil fuel feed stocks hence science and technology have to find alternative resources for the production of fuels. Currently, biomass and food waste is considered as the renewable feedstock for the production of chemicals and fuels in Europe. These renewable materials are utilized for the production of biopolymers, bioplastics and bioethanol. Biomolecules such as peptides and proteins are under research to create new nanomaterials to enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic such as solar cells and other electronic devices. Bioproteins power can also be harnessed for non-biological materials applications. Biomaterials have also been used as electrode materials in rechargeable lithium batteries. The nanostructure of these materials improves their electrochemical activity, thus enhance the battery performance.