04 Jan 2008
Biodesign Institute researchers make MFC technology progress
Scientists at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University have made a breakthrough which may lead to the commercialisation of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology, it has been revealed.
A report authored by Andrew Kato Marcus and colleagues Cesar Torres and Bruce Rittmann which appears in the journal Biotechnology and Bioengineering describes an innovative model which has been developed to optimise performance and power output of MFCs.
Three crucial variables which can be used to control an MFC have been identified: the amount of waste material (fuel); the accumulation of biomass on the anode; and the electrical potential in the biofilm anode.
"Modelling the potential in the biofilm anode, we now have a handle on how the MFC is working and why," confirmed Mr Marcus.
"We can predict how much voltage we get and how to maximise the power output by tweaking the various factors."
The project has paved the way for future MFC development, therefore leading to the possibility of commercialisation.
Research was funded by Nasa and industrial partners OpenCEL and NZLegacy.
© Adfero Ltd
A report authored by Andrew Kato Marcus and colleagues Cesar Torres and Bruce Rittmann which appears in the journal Biotechnology and Bioengineering describes an innovative model which has been developed to optimise performance and power output of MFCs.
Three crucial variables which can be used to control an MFC have been identified: the amount of waste material (fuel); the accumulation of biomass on the anode; and the electrical potential in the biofilm anode.
"Modelling the potential in the biofilm anode, we now have a handle on how the MFC is working and why," confirmed Mr Marcus.
"We can predict how much voltage we get and how to maximise the power output by tweaking the various factors."
The project has paved the way for future MFC development, therefore leading to the possibility of commercialisation.
Research was funded by Nasa and industrial partners OpenCEL and NZLegacy.
© Adfero LtdSource: Adfero
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