Australian scientists have found an enzyme that can generate electricity from hydrogen in the air.
According to ABC, research by scientists from Monash University in Melbourne has revealed that the enzyme called “Huc” can convert hydrogen molecules in the air into electrical energy.
Rhys Grinter, one of the researchers, said in a statement that they discovered that electricity can be generated when the “Huc” enzyme is isolated in a laboratory environment and placed in an electrical circuit.
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Stating that the energy produced due to the low hydrogen content in the air can only run small electrical appliances, Grinter said, “We need an external hydrogen source to generate energy for larger electrical appliances.”
Grinter noted that they are still in the early stages of research, but it is possible to generate more electrical energy by supplying the enzyme with higher amounts of hydrogen.
“Our dream is to be able to produce a self-sufficient power source with hydrogen from the air,” Grinter said, adding that potentially, with a technology such as fuel cells, a sufficient power source could be created for smart watches and phones.
Grinter emphasized that their next goal is to work with engineers to increase the electricity generation capacity and design a device that can work with enzymes.
The research was published in the journal Nature.
