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Microbial Fuel Cell with Electrically Conductive Fibers for Increased Power Production

IP Title

Enhanced Electrical Contract to Microbes in Microbial Fuel Cells

Detailed Technology Description

None

Supplementary Information

Inventor: Rinzler, Andrew G. | Ingram, Lonnie O'Neal | Shanmugam, Keelnatham T. | Moore, Jonathan C. | Wu, Zhuangchun
Priority Number: US8124259B2
IPC Current: H01M000816 | C12P000300
US Class: 429002 | 429401 | 435168 | 977746
Assignee Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation Inc.inesville
Title: Enhanced electrical contact to microbes in microbial fuel cells
Usefulness: Enhanced electrical contact to microbes in microbial fuel cells
Summary: The microbial fuel cell is used in chemical and biological systems.

Industry

Chemical/Material

Sub Category

Fuel Cell

Application Date

Apr 17, 2007

Application No.

8,124,259

Others

Published PCT Application

http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2006044954

*Abstract

Coverts More Wastewater into Usable Electricity, Opening up a Multibillion-Dollar Market

This microbial fuel cell contains electrically conductive fibers that generate more power than existing electrochemical devices. Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are also called biological fuel cells, or biofuel cells, since they transform the chemical energy found in biological materials into electrical energy. Bacteria in microbial fuel cells can, for example, produce electricity from wastewater. Until now, poor power extraction from effluent has prevented wastewater treatment facilities from also functioning as electrical energy providers, and a multibillion-dollar market has gone untapped. University of Florida researchers have made these cells more efficient by adding reusable fibers to improve conductivity. These strands can be made of carbon fibers, multi-wall or single-wall carbon nanotubes or other electrically conductive nano-scale or micro-scale wires.

Application

Microbial fuel cell that contains carbon fibers, multi-wall or single-wall carbon nanotubes or other electrically conductive nano-scale or micro-scale wires that improve conductivity for enhanced energy conversion

Advantages

• Uses electrically conductive fibers to create a network that generates improved current output and power, overcoming a key limitation associated with microbial fuel cells
• Features a loose network that allows for the growth of new cells, increasing power production
• Enables recovery and reuse of conductive fibers when the fuel cell is recharged, saving money on materials

Technology

University of Florida researchers have developed a microbial fuel cell that incorporates conductive fibers to maximize energy generation. The majority of the wires come into electrical contact with each other and the anode surface to increase the electrical percolation threshold. They surround the vast majority of bacteria with a network of electrical conductors, effectively extending the anode surface to envelop nearly all the microbes in intimate proximity. These fibers are stimulated by bubbling gas from the addition of acid that disturbs the surfactant stabilization. The result is a network of microbial fuel cells that have enhanced current and, consequently, improved power output. The conductive fibers can be recovered for reuse when the fuel cell is recharged with new bacteria.

*IP Issue Date

Feb 28, 2012

*IP Publication Date

Oct 23, 2008

*Principal Investigator

Name: Andrew Rinzler

Department:

Name: Jonathan Moore

Department:

Name: Keelnatham Shanmugam

Department:

Name: Lonnie Ingram

Department:

Name: Zhuangchun Wu

Department:

Country/Region

USA