1. Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)
Jacopo Paini
MSc Renewable Bio-Energy

2. Microbial Fuel Cell History of MFCs How do they work ?
Recent Developments
Conclusion
Source: Microbial Fuel Cells: Recent Trends

3. History Microbial Fuel Cell
Potter (1911) Electricity generation using E.coli
Cohen (1931) MFC connection in series.
Suzuki project (1976)  C.butyricum
Hydrogen production
(Microbial electrolysis Cells)
Kim (1990’s)  Schewanella Putrefaciens
Logan (now) Pioneer in projecting reactor designs and theoretical models using also salted water

4. (Glucose) C12H22O11+ 13H2O  12CO2 + 48H+ + 48e-
Microbial Fuel Cell
Redox Reaction
Source:
In MFC:
In this case O2 is the final acceptor of electrons Final Product is Water
In absence of Oxygen:
(Glucose) C12H22O11+ 13H2O  12CO2 + 48H+ + 48e-
The final electron acceptor could be Fe(III) or nitrate, so called mediator because the electrons pass to H+ and the final product is H2
8H+ + 8e-(Mediator)  4H2

5. Geobacter sulfurreducens
Microbial Fuel Cell
(a) Oxidation of Fuel (b) Transfer of electrons to electrodes through microbes (c) Diffusion of protons to the cathode (d) Reaction in Cathode chamber (e) Diffusion of Oxygen
Bacteria can also transfer electrons to anodes either directly as a biofilm
Geobacter sulfurreducens

6. Recent Improvements Microbial Fuel Cell Professor Torres (ASU)
new material for IEM:
AS-4
(High Anion Exchange Capacity)
Professor Logan (PSU) uses water with ammonium
bicarbonate salt to augment the energy produced
(5.6 W/m2)
It doesn’t smear the membrane
Easy to remove by evaporation (110°F = 43.33°C)
Improved efficiency
Professor Burgess Newcastle University discover of new microbe’s combination achieved.
Nafion © Polymeric Structure

7. Why are Important ? Microbial Fuel Cell
Promising area of study for electronic small devices
Energy continuously (as long the substrate is provided)
Energy from wastewaters
Reduced imported energy
Theoretically without emissions
Source:

8. Thank you for the Attention
Microbial Fuel Cell
Thank you for the Attention
References:
Khera, J. and Chandra A. (2012); Microbial Fuel Cells: Recent Trends