Prof. Frédéric Barrière
Université de Rennes 1, France
Abstract
This
seminar will discuss the use of living micro-organisms as
electrode catalysts in fuel cells. We will address the
underlying metabolic mechanisms for exo-cellular electron
transfer at anodes (oxidation of organic substrates to carbon
dioxide) and at cathodes (reduction of dioxygen to water). One
of our interests in the field of bioelectrochemical systems is
the rational tailoring of the microbial-electrode interface
through surface modification in order to improve the development
of electroactive biofilm and its electrical connection. Several
examples of surface modification involving electrostatic or more
specific interactions will be presented. Perspectives for
applications as energy production, biosensing, wastewater
treatment, etc. will be put forward.
Biographical Information
Prof. Frédéric Barrière has pursued a PhD in bioorganic chemistry
in Brest, France until 1999. Afterwards, he stayed for two years
as post-doc in Vermont, USA, working in the field of molecular
electrochemistry followed by a stay in Galway, Ireland, where he
worked in bio-electrochemistry. Since 2002, Frédéric Barrière is
an associate professor at the University of Rennes 1. His current
fields of research include bioinorganic chemistry, molecular
electrochemistry and bioelectrochemistry. He pursues research on
the design of enzymatic and microbial bio-fuel cells and the
density functional theory modelling. In 2011, Frédéric Barrière
obtained the Young Investigator Award in Electrochemistry from the
French Chemical Society.