Methods for use of a photobiofuel cell in production of hydrogen and other materials

A method for producing hydrogen, comprising the steps of:

• providing a photobiofuel cell comprising:
• a. an electrochemical half-cell comprising a dye-sensitized photoanode operating in an aqueous medium, said medium comprising NADPH, a fuel, and an enzyme selected to provide reducing equivalents to maintain NADPH levels;
• b. an electrode, the electrode electrically coupled to a catalyst and connected to the photoanode by an electrical conductor;
• and
• c. a light source;
• and
• illuminating the photoanode with light to thereby produce hydrogen.

A method for converting low energy organic material to high energy material, comprising the steps of:

• providing an electrochemical fuel cell comprising:
• a. an electrochemical half-cell comprising a dye-sensitized nanoparticulate photoanode operating in an aqueous medium, said medium comprising NADH, a low energy fuel material, and an enzyme selected to provide reducing equivalents to maintain NADH levels;
• b. a compartment comprising an electrode, an NADP-dependent hydrogenase, a catalyst and an NADP-dependent oxido-reductase enzyme, the electrode electrically coupled to the catalyst and connected to the photoanode by an electrical conductor, wherein the compartment is coupled to the electrochemical half cell by a semi-permeable device;
• and
• c. a light source;
• and
• illuminating the photoanode with light to thereby convert the low energy fuel material to high energy fuel material.

A method for converting low energy organic material to high energy material, comprising the steps of:

• providing an electrochemical fuel cell comprising:
• a. an electrochemical half-cell comprising a dye-sensitized nanoparticulate photoanode operating in an aqueous medium, said medium comprising NADPH, a low energy fuel material, and an enzyme selected to provide reducing equivalents to maintain NADPH levels;
• b. a compartment comprising an electrode, an NADP-dependent hydrogenase, a catalyst and an NADP-dependent oxido-reductase enzyme, the electrode electrically coupled to the catalyst and connected to the photoanode by an electrical conductor, wherein the compartment is coupled to the electrochemical half cell by a semi-permeable device;
• and
• c. a light source;
• and
• illuminating the photoanode with light to thereby convert the low energy fuel material to high energy fuel material.