When in solution with the suitable substrate, colloids asymmetrically decorated with enzyme molecules self-propel while generating gradients of ionic species and electric fields. These tiny, motile bioelectrochemical devices are biocompatible (to a certain degree), and thus they are increasingly investigated, both in vitro and in vivo, as promising biomedical devices for fighting diseases. In this focused mini-review we discuss the recent developments, reaching out to preclinical tests on animal models, towards using enzyme-powered nanomotors in the treatment of certain diseases: e.g., different types of cancer, inflammatory arthritis, Parkinson’s disease.
Electrochemical reforming of biomass-derived oxygenates offers an industrially viable route to co-produce high-added-value chemicals and green hydrogen at lower voltages than conventional water electrolysis. Over the past five years, more than 200 studies have demonstrated rapid advances, with both proton exchange membrane (PEM) and anion exchange membrane (AEM) systems achieving industrially relevant current densities (1 A cm-2) at cell voltages even below 1 V. However, the electrolyte pH has a profound influence on the process through reaction pathways, catalyst and membrane stability, and even on overall reaction stoichiometry. In this opinion, we provide a critical comparison of the often-overlooked differences between acidic and alkaline technologies, highlighting their distinct thermodynamic, kinetic, mass-balance, and energetics trade-offs, to define the research priorities in the path toward the scale-up and deployment of high added value chemicals.
