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Increased power output from micro porous layer (MPL) cathode microbial fuel cells (MFC)

Melhuish, C.; Greenman, J.; Ieropoulos, I.; Greenman, John; Melhuish, Chris; Papaharalabos, G.; Santoro, C.; Ieropoulos, Ioannis; Cristiani, P.; Li, B.

Authors

C. Melhuish

J. Greenman

I. Ieropoulos

Chris Melhuish Chris.Melhuish@uwe.ac.uk
Professor of Robotics & Autonomous Systems

G. Papaharalabos

C. Santoro

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

P. Cristiani

B. Li



Abstract

Microbial fuel cells are bio-electrochemical transducers that utilise microorganisms to generate electricity, through the oxidation of organic matter. They consist of a negative anode and a positive cathode, separated by an ion selective membrane. The key to improve power, in open-to-air cathode MFCs, is the efficient utilisation of oxygen, by using high surface area materials and effective gas diffusion. This study investigated the effect of single micro porous layers, used as the coating on various electrode substrata, on the performance of small-scale MFCs. Furthermore, 2 of the modified small-scale (6.25 mL) MFCs were implemented as the power source for the TI Chronos digital wristwatch, thus successfully substituting the 3 V button cell, at least for the duration of the experiment. Copyright © 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Presentation Conference Type Conference Paper (published)
Publication Date Aug 30, 2013
Journal International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Print ISSN 0360-3199
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 38
Issue 26
Pages 11552-11558
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.05.138
Keywords microbial fuel cells, micro porous layer; small-scale MFCs, Stacks, practical implementation, TI Chronos
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/928821
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.05.138