3D-printable cathode electrode for monolithically printed microbial fuel cells (MFCs)

Theodosiou, Pavlina; Ieropoulos, Ioannis; Greenman, John

Abstract

Biological fuel cells (BFCs) are an increasingly growing area of research as it beholds long-term sustainable advantages over conventional fuel cells. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are just one type of BFCs, which as the name implies, employ microbial electroactive species to facilitate the conversion of chemical energy stored in organic matter, into electricity. The properties of MFCs have successfully made the technology a primary source of energy for low-power autonomous robots 1 and off-grid urinal units 2. However, a hindrance to the mass production of MFC units is the time-consuming assembly process, which could perhaps be overcome using additive manufacturing (AM) processes. AM or 3D-printing has played an increasing role in advancing the MFC technology, by substituting essential structural components i.e. chassis and separators, with 3D-printed parts 3,4. This is precisely the line of work in the EVOBLISS project, which is investigating materials that can be extruded from the EVOBOT platform 5 for a potentially monolithically printed MFC. The development of such inexpensive, conductive, printable electrode material is described below as well as the advances of this material as a cathode electrode on air-breathing cathodes.

• Presentation Conference Type: Speech
• Start Date: May 13, 2018
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• APA6 Citation: Theodosiou, P., Ieropoulos, I., & Greenman, J. (2018, May). 3D-printable cathode electrode for monolithically printed microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Presented at 233rd ECS Meeting
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 233rd ECS Meeting