In a remarkable leap toward circular sustainability, researchers at ETH Zurich and Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) have discovered a way to transform chicken feathers \u2014 one of the poultry industry\u2019s most abundant waste products \u2014 into a clean, affordable source of energy.<\/p>\n
Each year, the global food industry produces around 40 million tonnes of chicken feathers, most of which are incinerated. This process releases vast amounts of CO\u2082 and harmful gases such as sulphur dioxide, contributing to environmental pollution.<\/p>\n
The joint ETH\u2013NTU team has developed an innovative, eco-friendly method to extract keratin \u2014 the main protein in feathers \u2014 and convert it into amyloid fibrils, ultra-fine fibres used to create sustainable membranes for fuel cells.<\/p>\n
Cleaner Fuel Cells for a Greener Future<\/strong><\/p>\n Fuel cells generate electricity using hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water and heat as by-products. They are widely regarded as a promising clean energy solution for the future.<\/p>\n At the core of every fuel cell lies a semipermeable membrane, which allows protons to pass through while blocking electrons. Conventional membranes are made using toxic, non-biodegradable \u201cforever chemicals\u201d that are costly and environmentally damaging.<\/p>\n By contrast, the new ETH\u2013NTU membrane, made primarily from biological keratin, is not only sustainable and biodegradable but also up to three times cheaper to produce.<\/p>\n \u201cOur latest development closes a cycle,\u201d explains Professor Raffaele Mezzenga, Head of the Food and Soft Materials Lab at ETH Zurich. \u201cWe\u2019re taking a waste material that normally releases CO\u2082 and toxic gases when burned and using it to replace harmful substances \u2014 cutting emissions and reducing the overall carbon footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond Fuel Cells: Hydrogen and Water Splitting<\/strong><\/p>\n The researchers believe the keratin membrane could also advance hydrogen production. Since hydrogen rarely exists in its pure form on Earth, it must be extracted \u2014 a process that typically requires significant energy and chemical additives.<\/p>\n The new membrane facilitates electrolysis, the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. Because it allows efficient proton transfer, the membrane enables this reaction even in pure water, reducing the need for added acids and improving energy efficiency.<\/p>\n Next Steps: From Lab to Market<\/strong><\/p>\n The ETH and NTU teams have filed a joint patent for the keratin-based membrane and are now seeking industry partners and investors to help bring this promising innovation to commercial scale.<\/p>\n If successful, this research could transform industrial poultry waste into a powerful tool for clean energy generation, closing the loop between food production and sustainable technology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In a remarkable leap toward circular sustainability, researchers at ETH Zurich and Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) have discovered a way to transform chicken feathers \u2014 one of the poultry industry\u2019s most abundant waste products \u2014 into a clean, affordable source of energy. Each year, the global food industry produces around 40 million tonnes of …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1924,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,831],"tags":[494,879],"class_list":["post-1923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-sustainability","tag-poultry-magazine","tag-poultry-middle-east-north-africa-magazine"],"yoast_head":"\n