Electron bifurcation: from biological to bioinspired

Organisms across the tree of life employ electron bifurcation to achieve redox energy transduction. Electron bifurcation oxidizes a two-electron donor, using the two electrons to reduce two spatially separate one-electron acceptors. Leveraging the thermodynamically downhill motion of one electron allows electron bifurcating enzymes to push the other electron thermodynamically uphill. Biological electron bifurcation can occur near zero driving force, allowing nearly 100% energy conversion. If electron bifurcation were used in an electric (or electrochemical) circuit, it could drive a direct and reversible DC-to-DC voltage converter, a circuit element that does not currently exist. Motivated by theories of biological electron bifurcation we investigate possible bioinspired electron bifurcation using theories of carrier transport and heterogeneous nonadiabatic ET/PCET.