Microbial Fuel Cell
I. Introduction
The world’s current way to produce, convert and consume energy comes with a price. Development of sustainable energy technologies which can continue providing the society with energy-derived benefits without further environmental destructions is highly desired. A series of green energy solutions, such as solar, wind and biomass energy, are employed in the hope of preventing the impending global energy crisis (Wang, Chem and Huang 2010). Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) which capable of harvesting electricity from renewable biomass and organic wastes arise as a promising yet challenging candidate to the existing sustainable energy portfolio (Picioreanu, et al. 2010).
II. Historical Overview of Microbial Fuel Cells
The idea of extracting energy from organic matters through the catalytic reactions of microorganisms emerged a century ago (Lovley 2006). Although it was popular in the 1960s, interests in MFCs diminished due to their low power density and the lack of durability. A recent revival of MFC research was observed. Significant advancements in elevated power density and improved understanding on underlying microbiology concepts provided us new and valuable insights into improved MFCs designs with potential practical applications.
III. Microbial Fuel Cell Fundamentals
MFC is a bio-electrochemical device which, with the aid of bacteria through microbial-catalyzed redox reactions, converts the energy stored within bio-convertible substrates to electricity directly. (0 net carbon emission) The fundamental physical components of a typical dual-chamber MFC are the electrolyte, an anode and a cathode partitioned by a proton exchange membrane as shown in figure1 (Du, Li and Gu 2007).
At the anode, microbial respiration oxidizes available substrates to carbon dioxide results in liberation of electrons and protons. These electrons are transported out of the cell to the electrolytes via electrochemically active carriers, also known as
The world’s current way to produce, convert and consume energy comes with a price. Development of sustainable energy technologies which can continue providing the society with energy-derived benefits without further environmental destructions is highly desired. A series of green energy solutions, such as solar, wind and biomass energy, are employed in the hope of preventing the impending global energy crisis (Wang, Chem and Huang 2010). Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) which capable of harvesting electricity from renewable biomass and organic wastes arise as a promising yet challenging candidate to the existing sustainable energy portfolio (Picioreanu, et al. 2010).
II. Historical Overview of Microbial Fuel Cells
The idea of extracting energy from organic matters through the catalytic reactions of microorganisms emerged a century ago (Lovley 2006). Although it was popular in the 1960s, interests in MFCs diminished due to their low power density and the lack of durability. A recent revival of MFC research was observed. Significant advancements in elevated power density and improved understanding on underlying microbiology concepts provided us new and valuable insights into improved MFCs designs with potential practical applications.
III. Microbial Fuel Cell Fundamentals
MFC is a bio-electrochemical device which, with the aid of bacteria through microbial-catalyzed redox reactions, converts the energy stored within bio-convertible substrates to electricity directly. (0 net carbon emission) The fundamental physical components of a typical dual-chamber MFC are the electrolyte, an anode and a cathode partitioned by a proton exchange membrane as shown in figure1 (Du, Li and Gu 2007).
At the anode, microbial respiration oxidizes available substrates to carbon dioxide results in liberation of electrons and protons. These electrons are transported out of the cell to the electrolytes via electrochemically active carriers, also known as