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Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for implantable applications due to their biocompatibility, natural and safe operation, and potential for continuous power output.

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Representative MFC — matched on the paper’s system type only, not its reactor or geometry.

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a hybrid bioelectrochemical system, which converts biosubstrates directly into electricity by effectively oxidizing those using bacteria under ambient temperature/pressure condition. The potential, developed between the bacterial metabolic activity and electron acceptor, was separated by a membrane (Perfluro sulphonic acid membrane in this case) manifesting bioelectricity generation. The achievable power output from MFCs can be tuned by modifying the system design, such as optimization of the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) structure, cell operating conditions, and the choice of biocatalyst. MFC’s are good candidates for implantable applications. The advantages for implantable application are biocompatibility and natural, safe and light, amenability to sterilization, continuous power output, minimal invasiveness, long life cycle, easy to integrate electronics. Selection of the anode-cathode electrodes materials and structure is one of the critical challenges of MFC and more so for the implantable application. These can affect the power density and Coulombic efficiency. The electrochemical characteristics of MFC are studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization profiles. Carbon and blends with graphene are used for developing the electrode diffusion structure. The anode is filled with bacteria which is E.Coli where luria bertani medium is used to grow the bacteria. The cathode is coated with manganese dioxide. The achievable cell potential is around 0.7-0.8V. For implantable application a power density of, in vitro > 10 μW / cm² and in vivo > 5 μW / cm² is targeted. Complete characterisation and optimisation parameters of the cell will be presented.

Key findings

  • MFCs can convert biosubstrates into electricity using bacteria under ambient conditions.
  • The power output of MFCs can be optimized by modifying the system design, including the MEA structure and cell operating conditions.
  • Selection of anode-cathode electrode materials and structure is critical for MFCs, particularly for implantable applications.

Keywords

Microbial fuel cellAnodeCathodeDielectric spectroscopyFaraday efficiencyCyclic voltammetry

Identifiers

DOI
10.1149/ma2016-02/44/3241
Journal
ECS Meeting Abstracts
Year
2016