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Iwona Gajda SELF SUSTAINABLE CATHODES FOR MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) Research Group

Iwona Gajda SELF SUSTAINABLE CATHODES FOR MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) Research Group. Energy- Finding new solutions. Energy is everywhere. Energy “locked” in organic matter may be liberated by the use of microorganisms

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Iwona Gajda SELF SUSTAINABLE CATHODES FOR MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) Research Group

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  1. Iwona Gajda SELF SUSTAINABLE CATHODES FOR MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) Research Group

  2. Energy- Finding new solutions

  3. Energy is everywhere • Energy “locked” in organic matter may be liberated by the use of microorganisms Michael C. Potter 1911 – First MFC Generated power from cultures of Escherichia coli MFC Technology is already 100 years old! Major improvements in the technology in the last 10 years

  4. ........but why microbes? Fermentation Pharmaceuticals Wastewater treatment Decomposing

  5. What is a Microbial Fuel Cell?

  6. waste treatment+Energy production Microorganisms are only catalysts Not a source of electrons Microorganisms can drive electrons to the anode by oxidising the organic matter

  7. Robotics & Microbiology? Gastrobot (Chew-chew) train invented by S. Wilkinson (University of South Florida) 2001

  8. BRL’s autonomous robots: Ecobot I (2001) performs phototaxis Ecobot II (2003) performs phototaxis, sensing, communication The Ecobotsdo not employ any other form of conventional power supply and do not require any form of initial charging from an external source Both developed by researchers at Bristol Robotics Laboratory: Dr I.Ieropoulos, Prof J. Greenman, Prof C.Melhuish and I.Horsfield

  9. Ecobot III Ecobot III (2008) -48 small-scale Microbial Fuel Cells, world's first robot to exhibit true self-sustainability

  10. Possible applications: Though this technology is quite promising as a source of renewable energy, it will be some time before large-scale, highly efficient MFCs enter the commercial scene.

  11. MFC research in Bristol Robotics Laboratory SLUDGE Before After • Research based on: • Anode improvement • Cathode improvement • Scalability and stacks ANODE CATHODE

  12. Aims and objectives To develop: Self sustainable Cost efficient Better performing CATHODE Improvement of: Design Electrode materials Methodology

  13. Cathode needs an effective catalyst for oxygen reduction Platinum .....expensive Photosynthetic Organisms: Algae Cyanobacteria Ferricyanide .....non sustainable and toxic Produce Oxygen Use CO2 and light Self sustainable

  14. Why algae? • 75% world’s oxygen is produced by marine algae • Naturally occurring • Fast grown • Already used as biofuel source • Used also in wastewater treatment

  15. Materials and Methods Biocathode types Abiotic cathode Biotic cathode Photoreactors

  16. Comparison between abiotic and biotic (algal) cathodes BIOCATHODES ABIOTIC CATHODE

  17. Results: • Biotic cathodes outperform abiotic (water based) cathodes • Photosynthethic organisms multiply creating more biomass that might be used as a substrate!

  18. Future research Comparison between pure and mixed culture algae and cyanobacteria Various metals as current collectors Different design, stacking

  19. Thank You MFC Team: Dr Ioannis Ieropoulos Prof John Greenman Prof Chris Melhuish

  20. Contact www.brl.ac.uk Iwona.Gajda@uwe.ac.uk University of the West of England Frenchay Campus North Entrance Bristol

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