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Characterization of a microfluidic microbial fuel cell as a power generator based on a nickel electrode

Mardanpour, M. M ; Sharif University of Technology | 2016

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.12.022
  3. Publisher: Elsevier Ltd , 2016
  4. Abstract:
  5. This study reports the fabrication of a microfluidic microbial fuel cell (MFC) using nickel as a novel alternative for conventional electrodes and a non-phatogenic strain of Escherichia coli as the biocatalyst. The feasibility of a microfluidic MFC as an efficient power generator for production of bioelectricity from glucose and urea as organic substrates in human blood and urine for implantable medical devices (IMDs) was investigated. A maximum open circuit potential of 459mV was achieved for the batch-fed microfluidic MFC. During continuous mode operation, a maximum power density of 104Wm-3 was obtained with nutrient broth. For the glucose-fed microfluidic MFC, the maximum power density of 5.2μWcm-2 obtained in this study is significantly greater than the power densities reported previously for microsized MFCs and glucose fuel cells. The maximum power density of 14Wm-3 obtained using urea indicates the successful performance of a microfluidic MFC using human excreta. It features high power density, self-regeneration, waste management and a low production cost (<$1), which suggest it as a promising alternative to conventional power supplies for IMDs. The performance of the microfluidic MFC as a power supply was characterized based on polarization behavior and cell potential in different substrates, operational modes, and concentrations
  6. Keywords:
  7. Microfluidic microbial fuel cell ; Biomedical equipment ; Electrodes ; Electrophysiology ; Fuel cells ; Glucose ; Metabolism ; Substrates ; Urea ; Waste management ; Conventional power ; Different substrates ; Glucose fuel cells ; Implantable medical devices ; Nickel electrode ; Open circuit potential ; Polarization behavior ; Microbial fuel cells ; Nickel ; Bacterial strain ; Biocatalyst ; Bioenergy ; Biofilm ; Blood ; Cell membrane potential ; Concentration (parameters) ; Cost ; Current density ; Electrical parameters ; Electrode ; Electron transport ; Escherichia coli ; Generator ; Glucose oxidation ; Implant ; Maximum power density ; Microbial fuel cell ; Microfluidics ; Nonhuman ; Polarization ; Production cost ; Regeneration ; Urine
  8. Source: Biosensors and Bioelectronics ; Volume 79 , 2016 , Pages 327-333 ; 09565663 (ISSN)
  9. URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956566315306795