Rhodes Scholar Naomi Mburu at URCAD XXII

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:42:14 -0400

Naomi will present her research, "The Effect of NADH Cofactor on the Output of a Lactate Biofuel Cell" at URCAD this Wednesday, April 25th from 1:15-1:30pm in the UC Ballroom Lounge.
Mentor: Dr. Gymama Slaughter, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Come hear about Naomi's research and wish her well as she goes off to Oxford University, next fall!

Abstract:

Continuous measurement of lactate is potentially useful for real-time monitoring of organ viability prior to organ transplantation, thereby increasing viable clinical treatment options for the treatment of complex limb defects and upper extremity transplants. Here the functionality of a self-powered lactate monitoring system is presented both with and without the presence of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) cofactor. The system is based on a dense mesh network of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) electrodes to generate electrical energy from the biochemical energy stored in lactate while simultaneously sensing lactate. The system consists of a lactate bioanode immobilized with D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH). The biocathode is immobilized with laccase. The average initial open circuit voltage and short circuit current values were 554.5 mV and 273 µA without the presence of NADH, and 530 mV and 262.5 µA with the presence of NADH, respectively. The open circuit voltage and short circuit current values exhibited decreased performance when tested in the presence of NADH over a period of several days, which led to the conclusion that NADH has no positive effect on the performance of the lactate biosensor.

To read the abstracts of other presenters and for more information about URCAD:

urcad.umbc.edu

Photo: Naomi at the National March for Science in Washington, DC