|
Sugar Power for Cell Phones Using enzymes commonly found in living cells，a new type of fuel cell produces small amounts of electricity from sugar.If the technology is able to succeed in mass production，you may some day share your sweet drinks with your cell phone. When researchers previously used enzymes in fuel cells，they had trouble keeping them active，says Shelley D.Minteer of St Louis University1.Whereas biological cells continually produce fresh enzymes，theres no mechanism in fuel cells to replace enzymes as they quickly degrade. In the new fuel Cell，tiny polymer bags of enzyme are embedded in a membrane that coats one of the electrodes.When glucose from a sugary liquid gets into a pocket，the enzyme oxidizes it，releasing electrons and protons.The electrons cross the membrane and enter a wire through which they travel to the other electrode，where they react with.oxygen in the atmosphere to produce water.The flow of electrons through the wire constitutes an electrical current that can generate power. Sugar-eating fuel cells could be an efficient way to make electricity.Sugar is easy to find. And the new fuel cells that run on it are biodegradable，so the technology wouldnt hurt the environment.The scientists are now trying to use different enzymes that will get more power from sugar.They predict that popular products may be using the new technology in as little as 3 years. A When enzymes can be commonly found in living ceils. C When the technology of a new type of fuel cell is suitable for mass production. 2. What trouble did Minteer and Klotzhach have in their research? B They had trouble keeping biological cells active. D They had trouble finding mechanism for producing enzymes. A when bags of enzyme are embedded in the new fuel cell. C when the enzyme oxidizes the glucose from a sugary liquid that goes through D when the enzyme oxidizes the sugary liquid that goes through a pocket. A Their limitless power generation capacity is amazing. C Their limited power generation capacity is the result of great efforts. 5. According to the last paragraph，what is NOT true of the new fuel cells? B The new fuel cells are environment friendly. D It will take some time before the new fuel cells can be used in popular products. | 
