Microbial Fuel Cells

Siggy Arndt, Sara Heines, and

Sam Wardell.

What is a Microbial Fuel Cell

(MFC)?

A device that turns chemical energy into electrical energy usings micro-organisms
catalytic reactions.
There are two main categories of MFCs, the MFCs that use mediators and the
MFCs that do not have a mediator.
Anode- an electrode through which an electric current goes into a polarized object.
Cathode- an electron through which an electric current flows out of a polarized
object.
MFCs consist of an anode, a cathode, a proton or cation exchange membrane, and
an electrical circuit. The bacteria live in the anode and convert a substrate such as
glucose. Under aerobic conditions, bacteria use oxygen or nitrate as a final electron
acceptor to produce water.

Mediators and Mediator Free MFCs

Mediator MFCs- Most of the microbial cells are
electrochemically inactive. Chemicals like thionine, methyl
viologen, methyl blue, humic acid, and neutral red are used
to facilitate the electron transfer from the microbial cells to
the electrodes.
Mediator Free MFCs- Use electrochemically active
bacteria to transfer electrons to the electrode. These can
derive energy from certain plants and run on wastewater.
Mediator- A substance released from cells as the result of the interaction of
antigen with antibody or by the action of antigen with a sensitised
lymphocyte.

How to Build a Microbial Fuel Cell

Materials:
To build a microbial fuel cell, its suggested
you use:

Plastic container
Copper wire
Paper clips
Alligator clips
Duct tape
Glue
Soil
Electric tape
Water

Sketches
This is what we think a MFC would look like:
Mediator-Less MFC

Mediator MFC

Procedure
1. Collect mud.
2. Drill one hole for copper wire on lids of containers. On one of the two lids, drill one
hole for the air pump tube and one small hole for ventilation (this will not be sealed).
Drill one hole on one side to both containers for salt bridge.
3. Fold aluminum mesh a few times over and bind with large paper clips.
4. Strip ends off of copper wire and attach to both electrodes.
5. Insert copper wire and air pump tube into drilled holes on lids. Seal with hot glue.
6. Attach the salt bridge.
7. Fill one container with mud and the other with water
8. Put the electrodes into each container and close the lids.
9. Attach alligator clips to each loose end of copper wire. Clamp the alligator clips
onto the voltmeter probes.
10. Turn on the aquarium air pump.

Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbial_fuel_cell#Soil-based_microbial_fuel_cell
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Microbial-Fuel-Cell-easy/

www.google.com
http://news.mongabay.com/bioenergy/2007/09/microbial-fuel-cell-development-speeds.html