Characterization of design factors affecting power output in a microbial fuel cell

Mediator-less microbial fuel cells (MFC) have been recently developed, but they show significant potential for the harvesting of energy from waste organic matter. Most researchers have been working on determining how bacteria transfers electrons and what kind of bacteria produces more current to design more efficient methods to transfer electrons. However, the physical and chemical optimization of the MFC is extremely important. The use of ferricyanide in the cathode compartment can increase power output by 1.5-1.8 times compared to that achieved with dissolved oxygen. The concentration of dissolved oxygen in the cathode chamber is a factor in power generation and power output was a function of size of the cathode, anode electrode, and proton permeable membrane. The KCl concentrations (∼ 0.3 M) in the anode or cathode chamber increased the power output by ∼ 56%. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 228th ACS National Meeting (Philadelphia, PA 8/22-26/2004).