| 研究者所属（当時） | 資格 | 氏名 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| （代表者） | 理工学術院 大学院情報生産システム研究科 | 講師 | メーヘシュ ガーボル |
| （連携研究者） | Yamagata University | Professor | Takahashi Tatsuhiro |
| （連携研究者） | Yamagata University | Assoc. Professor | Nagamine Kuniaki |
- 研究成果概要
In this phase, the goal of this research was to make electrodes that can sensitively measure the electrical signal of electroactive bacteria by maximizing the number of bacteria on the electrode surface. For this aim we used conducting nanomaterials that act as an interface between the base carbon felt electrode and bacteria. We utilized two different types of conducting nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and conducting redox polymers through collaborations with two professors of Yamagata University.
Specifically, me and my student at Waseda University have evaluated the electrical signal in electrochemical cells arising from the bacteria Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 metabolizing lactate, and transferring the released electrons from the metabolism to the carbon felt electrode with nanomaterial interfaces. For this aim we used potentiostats and the techniques of chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
In both types of materials, we observed a 3–4-fold increase in the measured current signal compared to not using the nanomaterials interfaces. Moreover, by scanning electron microscopy, we observed an increased number of bacteria on the electrode surfaces.
A special point of the subproject containing CNTs was that twice we hosted a student from Yamagata University who prepared CNT-functionalized electrodes and measured the bacterial electrochemical performance with us, also teaching us a new way of chemical attachment of CNTs to our electrodes. As for the conducting polymer subproject, we not only tested electroactive bacteria, but also non-electroactive bacteria in electrochemical cells with promising results.
Currently, we are preparing three manuscripts, and performing some missing experiments to complete the scientific papers, where we will explain our new results. In addition, our student will present the relevant results at the Spring meeting of Japan Society of Applied Physics. Finally, this grant (Tokutei Kadai), allowed us to buy a temperature-controlled incubator where we can stably evaluate the electrochemical performance of bacterial devices, as well as to purchase small-sized electrochemical cells to be used with flat-type substrates.