Unmet Need:
• O2-sensitive enzymes like [FeFe]-hydrogenase lose activity within seconds of ambient air exposure, severely limiting their industrial and sustainable energy applications
• Lack of passive protection methods: Existing O2 protection technologies require continuous energy investment or complex systems to maintain anaerobic conditions

The technology:
• FmocFF peptide hydrogel: Self-assembling fluorenyl-methyloxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine forms 3D nanofibrillar structures that specifically encage O2 molecules
• Hydrophobic oxygen trapping: O2 binding occurs through hydrophobic pockets formed between aromatic rings in the supramolecular structure
• Dramatic diffusion reduction: Slows O2 penetration by ~14x compared to solution, with rates of 2.5 μM/h vs 34 μM/h in buffer
• Biocompatible matrix: Operates at physiological pH (7.3) and provides a protective environment for sensitive enzymes

Potential Applications:
• Sustainable hydrogen production: Enables [FeFe]-hydrogenase to function under ambient air conditions for clean energy generation
• Nitrogen fixation: Protection of nitrogenase enzymes for ammonia production in industrial settings
• Bioelectrochemistry: Enzyme immobilization on electrodes for biosensors and biofuel cells
• Food preservation: Integration into packaging materials as passive oxygen scavengers
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: Protection of oxygen-sensitive drug compounds and biologics during processing
• Biotechnology processes: Any application requiring anaerobic enzymatic reactions in aerobic environments

Value Proposition:
This technology represents a breakthrough in passive oxygen protection, potentially revolutionizing how O2-sensitive processes are conducted in industrial and research settings.

Stage
Technology validated in various systems in laboratory environments

REFERENCES
Ben-Zvi, O., Grinberg, I., Orr, A. A., Noy, D., Tamamis, P., Yacoby, I., & Adler-Abramovich, L. (2021). Protection of Oxygen-Sensitive Enzymes by Peptide Hydrogel. ACS Nano, 15(4), 6530–6539.