Microbial Fuel

Cells
By: Kim Kozloff, Kyle
Jennings, and Andrew Keating.

What is a Microbial Fuel Cell?

A Microbial Fuel Cell is a device that drives a current by
using bacteria and by imitating bacterial interactions
found in nature.
It converts chemical energy to electrical energy by the
catalytic reaction of microorganisms.

Research Conducted
Researched the functions of a microbial fuel cell and how how it works.
There are a different kinds of microbial fuel cell.
Also, by researching pictures of what one looks like, sketching a microbial
fuel cell won't be a problem.
Sites Used:
1. http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/enve/logan/bioenergy/re
search_mfc.htm
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbial_fuel_cell
3. http://www.research.psu.edu/capabilities/document
s/MFC_QandA.pdf
4. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Microbial-Fuel-Ce
ll-easy/

Microbial Fuel Cell Sketch

How Does a Microbial Fuel Cell Work?

Step 1: Electrons are taken from a source of organic matter
Step 2: Electrons are given to something that will accept
them(examples include oxygen and nitrate)
Step 3: If bacterias are grown under anaerobic conditions, or without
oxygen being present, electrons can be transferred to an
anode(positively charged electrode).
Step 4: The electrons will then move through a wire under the resistor to
the cathode(negatively charged electrode). When these electrons are
flowing between the anode and the cathode, they generate the current
and voltage need to make electricity.

What a Microbial Fuel Cell Looks Like

www.sciencebuddies.org

Materials List

Mud
Water
Salt
Wire
Copper wire
Alligator clips
Plastic containers

Bacteria
Electrical Tape
Hot Glue
Aquarium Air Pump
Duct Tape
Rope
Aluminum Mesh
Drill

How to Build a Microbial Fuel Cell

Collect mud from anaerobic environment
Drill a hole on one of the containers lids for a copper wire, one on the other
container for the air pump tube, and one more hole on one side of each of the
containers for the salt bridge.
Seal the copper wire and air pump into place using hot glue.
To prepare the electrodes, fold the aluminum mesh a few times and bind with a
paperclip. Strip the ends off of copper wires and attach to both electrodes.
To create the salt bridge, heat water with salt in it and soak a thick rope in the
water. Then put electrical tape around the rope and cover with a layer of duct
tape.

How to Build a Microbial Fuel Cell (Cont.)

Insert the salt bridge into the two holes that you drilled in the sides of
the container earlier and seal with hot glue.
Fill one container with mud and the other with water.
Put the electrodes in the water and mud containers and close the lids.
Attach the alligator clips to the loose ends of the copper wire and clamp
them on the voltmeter probes. The red probe must be attaches the the
electrodes in the water and the black one needs to be attached to the
electrodes in the mud.
Turn on the aquarium air pump
Electricity should now begin moving through the circuit.

Thank
You
For
Watching
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Presentation