TEAM 1: BIOVOLT

Andrew Huizenga

Lindsay Arnold

Diane Esquivel

Jeff Christians

Presentation Outline Project Description Project Background Projected Market Design Norms Design Challenges Status Questions

References: microbialfuelcell.org geobacter.org MFC Research papers

by Bruce Logan○ engr.psu.edu/ce/

enve/logan/

Project Description Develop a fully functional

microbial fuel cell Improve upon existing

designsIncrease maximum outputDecrease sizeDecrease cost

Sedimentary MFC

Wastewater MFC

Air Cathode MFC

Proton-Exchange MFC

Project Background Metabolism and respiration

Electron transport (ET) Facilitate ET by providing anode where

electrons can be deposited Proton exchange membrane Oxygen is reduced at cathode Some bacteria are “better” at this than

others

Project Background

Projected Market Depends largely on type of design

Areas with little access to traditional means of producing electricity

Marine sensorsWastewater treatment systems

Preliminary designs for future technology

Design Norms Integrity

MFC must be simple and easy to use/maintain

StewardshipMFC must be cost effective

○ i.e. no precious metal catalystsMFC must be eco-friendly

○ No harmful/toxic byproducts

Design Challenges Low voltage output Typically quite large Need for constant feedstock intake Alternatives to precious metal catalysts

Current Status Research!

What type of cell to developBest species of bacteriaWhat feedstock to use

Questions?