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Microbial fuel cells directly powering a microcomputer

Walter, Alexis; Greenman, John; Ieropoulos, Ioannis

Authors

Yannis Ieropoulos Ioannis2.Ieropoulos@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Bioenergy & Director of B-B



Abstract

© 2019 The Authors Many studies have demonstrated that microbial fuel cells (MFC) can be energy-positive systems and power various low power applications. However, to be employed as a low-level power source, MFC systems rely on energy management circuitry, used to increase voltage levels and act as energy buffers, thus delivering stable power outputs. But stability comes at a cost, one that needs to be kept minimal for the technology to be deployed into society. The present study reports, for the first time, the use of a MFC system that directly and continuously powered a small application without any electronic intermediary. A cascade comprising four membrane-less MFCs modules and producing an average of 62 mA at 2550 mV (158 mW) was used to directly power a microcomputer and its screen (Gameboy Color, Nintendo®). The polarisation experiment showed that the cascade produced 164 mA, at the minimum voltage required to run the microcomputer (ca. 1.850 V). As the microcomputer only needed ≈70 mA, the cascade ran at a higher voltage (2.550 V), thus, maintaining the individual modules at a high potential (>0.55 V). Running the system at these high potentials helped avoid cell reversal, thus delivering a stable level of energy without the support of any electronics.

Citation

Walter, A., Greenman, J., & Ieropoulos, I. (2020). Microbial fuel cells directly powering a microcomputer. Journal of Power Sources, 446, Article 227328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227328

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 16, 2019
Online Publication Date Oct 31, 2019
Publication Date Jan 15, 2020
Deposit Date Oct 22, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Power Sources
Print ISSN 0378-7753
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 446
Article Number 227328
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227328
Keywords Membraneless microbial fuel cell; Urine; Energy source; Practical applications; Direct power
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/4022383

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