Effects of substrate diffusion and anode potential on kinetic parameters for anode-respiring bacteria

Characterization and optimization of cathodic conditions for H2O2 synthesis in microbial electrochemical cells

Cathode potential and O2 supply methods were investigated to improve H2O2 synthesis in an electrochemical cell, and optimal cathode conditions were applied for microbial electrochemical cells (MECs). Using aqueous O2 for the cathode significantly improved current density, but H2O2 conversion efficiency was negligible at 0.3-12%. Current density decreased for passive O2 diffusion to the cathode, but H2O2 conversion efficiency increased by 65%. An MEC equipped with a gas diffusion cathode was operated with acetate medium and domestic wastewater, which presented relatively high H2O2 conversion efficiency from 36% to 47%, although cathode overpotential was fluctuated. Due to different current densities, the maximum H2O2 production rate was 141 mg H2O2/L-h in the MEC fed with acetate medium, but it became low at 6 mg H2O2/L-h in the MEC fed with the wastewater. Our study clearly indicates that improving anodic current density and mitigating membrane fouling would be key parameters for large-scale H2O2-MECs.

Hydrogen production from continuous flow, microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cells treating fermentation wastewater

A microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cell (MREC) was used to produce hydrogen gas from fermentation wastewater without the need for additional electrical energy. Increasing the number of cell pairs in the reverse electrodialysis stack from 5 to 10 doubled the maximum current produced from 60 A/m(3) to 120 A/m(3) using acetate. However, more rapid COD removal required a decrease in the anolyte hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 24 to 12 h to stabilize anode potentials. Hydrogen production using a fermentation wastewater (10 cell pairs, HRT=8 h) reached 0.9±0.1 L H2/Lreactor/d (1.1±0.1 L H2/g-COD), with 58±5% COD removal and a coulombic efficiency of 74±5%. These results demonstrated that consistent rates of hydrogen gas production could be achieved using an MREC if effluent anolyte COD concentrations are sufficient to produce stable anode potentials.

Solid phase bio-electrofermentation of food waste to harvest value-added products associated with waste remediation

A novel solid state bio-electrofermentation system (SBES), which can function on the self-driven bioelectrogenic activity was designed and fabricated in the laboratory. SBES was operated with food waste as substrate and evaluated for simultaneous production of electrofuels viz., bioelectricity, biohydrogen (H2) and bioethanol. The system illustrated maximum open circuit voltage and power density of 443 mV and 162.4 mW/m(2), respectively on 9 th day of operation while higher H2 production rate (21.9 ml/h) was observed on 19th day of operation. SBES system also documented 4.85% w/v bioethanol production on 20th day of operation. The analysis of end products confirmed that H2 production could be generally attributed to a mixed acetate/butyrate-type of fermentation. Nevertheless, the presence of additional metabolites in SBES, including formate, lactate, propionate and ethanol, also suggested that other metabolic pathways were active during the process, lowering the conversion of substrate into H2. SBES also documented 72% substrate (COD) removal efficiency along with value added product generation. Continuous evolution of volatile fatty acids as intermediary metabolites resulted in pH drop and depicted its negative influence on SBES performance. Bio-electrocatalytic analysis was carried out to evaluate the redox catalytic capabilities of the biocatalyst. Experimental data illustrated that solid-state fermentation can be effectively integrated in SBES for the production of value added products with the possibility of simultaneous solid waste remediation.

Impact of volatile fatty acids on microbial electrolysis cell performance

This study investigated the performance of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) fed with three common fermentation products: acetate, butyrate, and propionate. Each substrate was fed to the reactor for three consecutive-batch cycles. The results showed high current densities for acetate, but low current densities for butyrate and propionate (maximum values were 6.0 ± 0.28, 2.5 ± 0.06, 1.6 ± 0.14 A/m(2), respectively). Acetate also showed a higher coulombic efficiency of 87 ± 5.7% compared to 72 ± 2.0 and 51 ± 6.4% for butyrate and propionate, respectively. This paper also revealed that acetate could be easily oxidized by anode respiring bacteria in MEC, while butyrate and propionate could not be oxidized to the same degree. The utilization rate of the substrates in MEC followed the order: acetate > butyrate > propionate. The ratio of suspended biomass to attached biomass was approximately 1:4 for all the three substrates.

Layer-by-layer assembly of a redox enzyme displayed on the surface of elongated bacteria into a hierarchical artificial biofilm based anode

A highly efficient artificial biofilm based anode was constructed by an assembly of an elongatedE. coliwith surface displayed redox-enzyme.

Evaluation of limiting factors for current density in microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs) treating domestic wastewater

This study quantitatively assessed three limiting factors for current density in a microbial electrochemical cell (MXC) treating domestic wastewater: (1) buffer concentration, (2) biodegradability, and (3) particulates. Buffer concentration was not significant for current density in the MXC fed with filtered domestic wastewater (180 mg COD/L). Current density reduced by 67% in the MXC fed with filtered sewage having similar COD concentration to acetate medium, which indicates poor biodegradability of soluble organics in the wastewater. Particulate matters seriously decreased current density down to 76%, probably due to the accumulation of particulates on biofilm anode. Our study quantitatively showed that buffer concentration does not limit current density much, but biodegradability of soluble organics and fermentation rate of particulate matters in domestic wastewater mainly control current density in MXCs.

Occurrence and implications of voltage reversal in stacked microbial fuel cells

Voltage reversal in stacked microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is a significant challenge that must be addressed, and the information on its definite cause and occurrence process is still obscure. In this work, we first demonstrated that different anodic reaction rates caused voltage reversal in a stacked MFC. Sluggish reaction rates on the anode in unit 1 of the stacked MFC resulted in a significantly increased anode overpotential of up to 0.132 V, as compared to negligible anode overpotential (0.0247 V) in unit 2. This work clearly verified the process of voltage reversal in the stacked MFC. As the current was gradually increased in the stacked MFC, the voltage in the stacked unit 1 decreased to 0 V prior to that of the stacked unit 2. Then, when the voltage in unit 1 became 0 V, it was converted from a galvanic cell to an electrochemical cell powered by unit 2. We found that the stacked unit 2 provided electrical energy for the stacked unit 1 as a power supply. Finally, the anode potential of the stacked unit 1 significantly increased over cathode potential as current increased further, which caused voltage reversal in unit 1. Voltage reversal occurs in stacked MFCs as a result of non-spontaneous anode overpotential in a unit MFC that has sluggish anode kinetics compared to the other unit MFCs.

Highly active bidirectional electron transfer by a self-assembled electroactive reduced-graphene-oxide-hybridized biofilm

Low extracellular electron transfer performance is often a bottleneck in developing high-performance bioelectrochemical systems. Herein, we show that the self-assembly of graphene oxide and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 formed an electroactive, reduced-graphene-oxide-hybridized, three-dimensional macroporous biofilm, which enabled highly efficient bidirectional electron transfers between Shewanella and electrodes owing to high biomass incorporation and enhanced direct contact-based extracellular electron transfer. This 3D electroactive biofilm delivered a 25-fold increase in the outward current (oxidation current, electron flux from bacteria to electrodes) and 74-fold increase in the inward current (reduction current, electron flux from electrodes to bacteria) over that of the naturally occurring biofilms.

Physiological stratification in electricity-producing biofilms of Geobacter sulfurreducens

The elucidation of mechanisms and limitations in electrode respiration by electroactive biofilms is significant for the development of rapidly emerging clean energy production and wastewater treatment technologies. In Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms, the controlling steps in current production are thought to be the metabolic activity of cells, but still remain to be determined. By quantifying the DNA, RNA, and protein content during the long-term growth of biofilms on polarized graphite electrodes, we show in this work that current production becomes independent of DNA accumulation immediately after a maximal current is achieved. Indeed, the mean respiratory rate of biofilms rapidly decreases after this point, which indicates the progressive accumulation of cells that do not contribute to current production or contribute to a negligible extent. These results support the occurrence of physiological stratification within biofilms as a consequence of respiratory limitations imposed by limited biofilm conductivity.

Syntrophic interactions between H2-scavenging and anode-respiring bacteria can improve current density in microbial electrochemical cells

High current density of 10.0-14.6A/m(2) and COD removal up to 96% were obtained in a microbial electrochemical cell (MEC) fed with digestate at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4d and 8d. Volatile fatty acids became undetectable in MEC effluent (HRT 8d), except for trivial acetate (4.16±1.86mgCOD/L). Accumulated methane only accounted for 3.42% of ΔCOD. Pyrosequencing analyses showed abundant fermenters (Kosmotoga spp.) and homoacetogens (Treponema spp.) in anolytes. In anode biofilm, propionate fermenters (Kosmotoga, and Syntrophobacter spp.), homoacetogens (Treponema spp.), and anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) (Geobacter spp. and Dysgonomonas spp.) were dominant. These results imply that syntrophic interactions among fermenters, homoacetogens and ARB would allow MECs to maintain high current density and coulombic efficiency.

Modelling potential/current distribution in microbial electrochemical systems shows how the optimal bioanode architecture depends on electrolyte conductivity

Modeling distribution of electrostatic potential in the a microbial electrolysis cell shows the great dependence of the optimal design on the ionic conductivity of the medium.

Separation of competitive microorganisms using anaerobic membrane bioreactors as pretreatment to microbial electrochemical cells

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) as pretreatment to microbial electrochemical cells (MECs) were first assessed for improving energy recovery. A dual-chamber MEC was operated at hydraulic retention time (HRT) ranging from 1 to 8d, while operating conditions for an AnMBR were fixed. Current density was increased from 7.5 ± 0 to 14 ± 1A/m(2) membrane with increasing HRT. MEC tests with AnMBR permeate (mainly propionate and acetate) and propionate medium confirmed that propionate was fermented to acetate and hydrogen gas, and anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) utilized these fermentation products as substrate. Membrane separation in the AnMBR excluded fermenters and methanogens from the MEC, and thus no methane production was found in the MEC. The lack of fermenters, however, slowed down propionate fermentation rate, which limited current density in the MEC. To symphonize fermenters, H2-consumers, and ARB in biofilm anode is essential for improving current density, and COD removal.

Kinetic, electrochemical, and microscopic characterization of the thermophilic, anode-respiring bacterium Thermincola ferriacetica

Thermincola ferriacetica is a recently isolated thermophilic, dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing, Gram-positive bacterium with capability to generate electrical current via anode respiration. Our goals were to determine the maximum rates of anode respiration by T. ferriacetica and to perform a detailed microscopic and electrochemical characterization of the biofilm anode. T. ferriacetica DSM 14005 was grown at 60 °C on graphite-rod anodes poised at -0.06 V (vs) SHE in duplicate microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). The cultures grew rapidly until they achieved a sustained current density of 7-8 A m(-2) with only 10 mM bicarbonate buffer and an average Coulombic Efficiency (CE) of 93%. Cyclic voltammetry performed at maximum current density revealed a Nernst-Monod response with a half saturation potential (EKA) of -0.127 V (vs) SHE. Confocal microscopy images revealed a thick layer of actively respiring cells of T. ferriacetica (~38 μm), which is the first documentation for a gram positive anode respiring bacterium (ARB). Scanning electron microscopy showed a well-developed biofilm with a very dense network of extracellular appendages similar to Geobacter biofilms. The high current densities, a thick biofilm (~38 μm) with multiple layers of active cells, and Nernst-Monod behavior support extracellular electron transfer (EET) through a solid conductive matrix - the first such observation for Gram-positive bacteria. Operating with a controlled anode potential enabled us to grow T. ferriacetica that can use a solid conductive matrix resulting in high current densities that are promising for MXC applications.

Nernst-ping-pong model for evaluating the effects of the substrate concentration and anode potential on the kinetic characteristics of bioanode

Understanding the electron-transfer mechanism and kinetic characteristics of bioanodes is greatly significant to enhance the electron-generating efficiencies in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). A Nernst-ping-pong model is proposed here to investigate the kinetics and biochemical processes of bioanodes in a microbial electrolysis cell. This model can accurately describe the effects of the substrate (including substrate inhibition) and the anode potential on the current of bioanodes. Results show that the half-wave potential positively shifts as the substrate concentration increases, indicating that the rate-determining steps of anodic processes change from substrate oxidation to intracellular electron transport reaction. The anode potential has negligible effects on the enzymatic catalysis of anodic microbes in the range of -0.25 V to +0.1 V vs. a saturated calomel electrode. It turns out that to reduce the anodic energy loss caused by overpotential, higher substrate concentrations are preferred, if the substrate do not significantly and adversely affect the output current.

Limitations for current production in Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms

Devices that exploit electricity produced by electroactive bacteria such as Geobacter sulfurreducens have not yet been demonstrated beyond the laboratory scale. The current densities are far from the maximum that the bacteria can produce because fundamental properties such as the mechanism of extracellular electron transport and factors limiting cell respiration remain unclear. In this work, a strategy for the investigation of electroactive biofilms is presented. Numerical modeling of the response of G. sulfurreducens biofilms cultured on a rotating disk electrode has allowed for the discrimination of different limiting steps in the process of current production within a biofilm. The model outputs reveal that extracellular electron transport limits the respiration rate of the cells furthest from the electrode to the extent that cell division is not possible. The mathematical model also demonstrates that recent findings such as the existence of a redox gradient in actively respiring biofilms can be explained by an electron hopping mechanism but not when considering metallic-like conductivities.

Azo dye removal in a membrane-free up-flow biocatalyzed electrolysis reactor coupled with an aerobic bio-contact oxidation reactor

Azo dyes that consist of a large quantity of dye wastewater are toxic and persistent to biodegradation, while they should be removed before being discharged to water body. In this study, Alizarin Yellow R (AYR) as a model azo dye was decolorized in a combined bio-system of membrane-free, continuous up-flow bio-catalyzed electrolysis reactor (UBER) and subsequent aerobic bio-contact oxidation reactor (ABOR). With the supply of external power source 0.5 V in the UBER, AYR decolorization efficiency increased up to 94.8±1.5%. Products formation efficiencies of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) were above 90% and 60%, respectively. Electron recovery efficiency based on AYR removal in cathode zone was nearly 100% at HRTs longer than 6 h. Relatively high concentration of AYR accumulated at higher AYR loading rates (>780 gm(-3) d(-1)) likely inhibited acetate oxidation of anode-respiring bacteria on the anode, which decreased current density in the UBER; optimal AYR loading rate for the UBER was 680 gm(-3) d(-1) (HRT 2.5 h). The subsequent ABOR further improved effluent quality. Overall the Chroma decreased from 320 times to 80 times in the combined bio-system to meet the textile wastewater discharge standard II in China.

Maximising electricity production by controlling the biofilm specific growth rate in microbial fuel cells

The aim of this work is to study the relationship between growth rate and electricity production in perfusion-electrode microbial fuel cells (MFCs), across a wide range of flow rates by co-measurement of electrical output and changes in population numbers by viable counts and optical density. The experiments hereby presented demonstrate, for the first time to the authors' knowledge, that the anodic biofilm specific growth rate can be determined and controlled in common with other loose matrix perfusion systems. Feeding with nutrient-limiting conditions at a critical flow rate (50.8 mL h(-1)) resulted in the first experimental determination of maximum specific growth rate μ(max) (19.8 day(-1)) for Shewanella spp. MFC biofilms, which is considerably higher than those predicted or assumed via mathematical modelling. It is also shown that, under carbon-energy limiting conditions there is a strong direct relationship between growth rate and electrical power output, with μ(max) coinciding with maximum electrical power production.

Duty cycling influences current generation in multi-anode environmental microbial fuel cells

Improving microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance continues to be the subject of research, yet the role of operating conditions, specifically duty cycling, on MFC performance has been modestly addressed. We present a series of studies in which we use a 15-anode environmental MFC to explore how duty cycling (variations in the time an anode is connected) influences cumulative charge, current, and microbial composition. The data reveal particular switching intervals that result in the greatest time-normalized current. When disconnection times are sufficiently short, there is a striking decrease in current due to an increase in the overall electrode reaction resistance. This was observed over a number of whole cell potentials. Based on these results, we posit that replenishment of depleted electron donors within the biofilm and surrounding diffusion layer is necessary for maximum charge transfer, and that proton flux may be not limiting in the highly buffered aqueous phases that are common among environmental MFCs. Surprisingly, microbial diversity analyses found no discernible difference in gross community composition among duty cycling treatments, suggesting that duty cycling itself has little or no effect. Such duty cycling experiments are valuable in determining which factors govern performance of bioelectrochemical systems and might also be used to optimize field-deployed systems.

Bio-electrochemical remediation of real field petroleum sludge as an electron donor with simultaneous power generation facilitates biotransformation of PAH: effect of substrate concentration

Remediation of real-field petroleum sludge was studied under self-induced electrogenic microenvironment with the function of variable organic loads (OLs) in bio-electrochemical treatment (BET) systems. Operation under various OLs documented marked influence on both electrogenic activity and remediation efficiency. Both total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and its aromatic fraction documented higher removal with OL4 operation followed by OL3, OL2, OL1 and control. Self-induced biopotential and associated multiple bio-electrocatalytic reactions during BET operation facilitated biotransformation of higher ring aromatics (5-6) to lower ring aromatic (2-3) compounds. Asphaltenes and NSO fractions showed negligible removal during BET operation. Higher electrogenic activity was recorded at OL1 (343mV; 53.11mW/m(2), 100Ω) compared to other three OLs operation. Bioaugmentation to anodic microflora with anaerobic culture documented enhanced electrogenic activity at OL4 operation. Voltammetric profiles, Tafel analysis and VFA generation were in agreement with the observed power generation and degradation efficiency.

A steady-state biofilm model for simultaneous reduction of nitrate and perchlorate, part 2: parameter optimization and results and discussion

Part 1 of this work developed a steady-state, multispecies biofilm model for simultaneous reduction of nitrate and perchlorate in the H(2)-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) and presented a novel method to solve it. In Part 2, the half-maximum-rate concentrations and inhibition coefficients of nitrate and perchlorate are optimized by fitting data from experiments with different combinations of influent nitrate and perchlorate concentrations. The model with optimized parameters is used to quantitatively and systematically explain how three important operating conditions (nitrate loading, perchlorate loading, and H(2) pressure) affect nitrate and perchlorate reduction and biomass distribution in these reducing biofilms. Perchlorate reduction and accumulation of perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB) in the biofilm are affected by four promotion or inhibition mechanisms: simultaneous use of nitrate and perchlorate by PRB and competition for H(2), the same resources in PRB, and space in a biofilm. For the hydrogen pressure evaluated experimentally, a low nitrate loading (<0.1 g N/m(2)-d) slightly promotes perchlorate removal, because of the beneficial effect from PRB using both acceptors. However, a nitrate loading of >0.6 g N/m(2)-d begins to inhibit perchlorate removal, as the competition effects become dominant.

Endocrine disruptive estrogens role in electron transfer: bio-electrochemical remediation with microbial mediated electrogenesis

Bioremediation of selected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs)/estrogens viz. estriol (E3) and ethynylestradiol (EE2) was evaluated in bio-electrochemical treatment (BET) system with simultaneous power generation. Estrogens supplementation along with wastewater documented enhanced electrogenic activity indicating their function in electron transfer between biocatalyst and anode as electron shuttler. EE2 addition showed more positive impact on the electrogenic activity compared to E3 supplementation. Higher estrogen concentration showed inhibitory effect on the BET performance. Poising potential during start up phase showed a marginal influence on the power output. The electrons generated during substrate degradation might have been utilized for the EDCs break down. Fuel cell behavior and anodic oxidation potential supported the observed electrogenic activity with the function of estrogens removal. Voltammetric profiles, dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzyme activities were also found to be in agreement with the power generation, electron discharge and estrogens removal.

Electrochemically active biofilms: facts and fiction. A review

This review examines the electrochemical techniques used to study extracellular electron transfer in the electrochemically active biofilms that are used in microbial fuel cells and other bioelectrochemical systems. Electrochemically active biofilms are defined as biofilms that exchange electrons with conductive surfaces: electrodes. Following the electrochemical conventions, and recognizing that electrodes can be considered reactants in these bioelectrochemical processes, biofilms that deliver electrons to the biofilm electrode are called anodic, ie electrode-reducing, biofilms, while biofilms that accept electrons from the biofilm electrode are called cathodic, ie electrode-oxidizing, biofilms. How to grow these electrochemically active biofilms in bioelectrochemical systems is discussed and also the critical choices made in the experimental setup that affect the experimental results. The reactor configurations used in bioelectrochemical systems research are also described and the authors demonstrate how to use selected voltammetric techniques to study extracellular electron transfer in bioelectrochemical systems. Finally, some critical concerns with the proposed electron transfer mechanisms in bioelectrochemical systems are addressed together with the prospects of bioelectrochemical systems as energy-converting and energy-harvesting devices.

Transient storage of electrical charge in biofilms of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 growing in a microbial fuel cell

Current output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) depends on a number of engineering variables mainly related to the design of the fuel cell reactor and the materials used. In most cases the engineering of MFCs relies on the premise that for a constant biomass, current output correlates well with the metabolic activity of the cells. In this study we analyze to what extent, MFC output is also affected by the mode of operation, emphasizing how discontinuous operation can affect temporal patterns of current output. The experimental work has been carried out with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, grown in conventional two-chamber MFCs subject to periodic interruptions of the external circuit. Our results indicate that after closure of the external circuit, current intensity shows a peak that decays back to basal values. The result suggests that the MFC has the ability to store charge during open circuit situations. Further studies using chronoamperometric analyses were carried out using isolated biofilms of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 developed in a MFC and placed in an electrochemistry chamber in the presence of an electron donor. The results of these studies indicate that the amount of excess current over the basal level released by the biofilm after periods of circuit disconnection is proportional to the duration of the disconnection period up to a maximum of approximately 60 min. The results indicate that biofilms of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 have the ability to store charge when oxidizing organic substrates in the absence of an external acceptor.

100 years of microbial electricity production: three concepts for the future

Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have been explored according to three main concepts: to produce energy from organic substrates, to generate products and to provide specific environmental services. In this work, by using an engineering approach, biological conversion rates are calculated for BES resp. anaerobic digestion. These rates are compared with currents produced by chemical batteries and chemical fuel cells in order to position BES in the 'energy'-market. To evaluate the potential of generating various products, the biochemistry behind the biological conversion rates is examined in relation to terminal electron transfer molecules. By comparing kinetics rather than thermodynamics, more insight is gained in the biological bottlenecks that hamper a BES. The short-term future for BES research and its possible application is situated in smart niches in sustainable environmental development, i.e. in processes where no large currents or investment cost intensive reactors are needed to obtain the desired results. Some specific examples are identified.

Dehydrogenase activity in association with poised potential during biohydrogen production in single chamber microbial electrolysis cell

Variation in the dehydrogenase (DH) activity and its simultaneous influence on hydrogen (H2) production, substrate degradation rate (SDR) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) generation was investigated with respect to varying poised potential in single chambered membrane-less microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) using anaerobic consortia as biocatalyst. Poised potential showed significant influence on H2 production and DH activity. Maximum H2 production was observed at 1.0V whereas the control system showed least H2 production among the experimental variations studied. DH activity was observed maximum at 0.6V followed by 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0V, suggests the influence of poised potential on the microbial metabolism. Almost complete degradation of substrate was observed in all the experimental conditions studied irrespective of the applied potential. Experimental data was also analysed employing multiple regression analysis and 3D-surface plots to find out the best theoretical poised potential for maximum H2 production and DH activity.

A μL-scale micromachined microbial fuel cell having high power density

We report a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems)-based microbial fuel cell (MFC) that produces a high power density. The MFC features 4.5-μL anode/cathode chambers defined by 20-μm-thick photo-definable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films. The MFC uses a Geobacter-enriched mixed bacterial culture, anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) that produces a conductive biofilm matrix. The MEMS MFC generated a maximum current density of 16,000 μA cm(-3) (33 μA cm(-2)) and power density of 2300 μW cm(-3) (4.7 μW cm(-2)), both of which are substantially greater than achieved by previous MEMS MFCs. The coulombic efficiency of the MEMS MFC was at least 31%, by far the highest value among reported MEMS MFCs. The performance improvements came from using highly efficient ARB, minimizing the impact of oxygen intrusion to the anode chamber, having a large specific surface area that led to low internal resistance.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae as anodic biocatalyst for power generation in biofuel cell: influence of redox condition and substrate load

Bio (microbial) fuel cell (microbial fuel cell) with Saccharomyces cerevisiae as anodic biocatalyst was evaluated in terms of power generation and substrate degradation at three redox conditions (5.0, 6.0 and 7.0). Fuel cell was operated in single chamber (open-air cathode) configuration without mediators using non-catalyzed graphite as electrodes. The performance was further studied with increasing loading rate (OLRI, 0.91 kg COD/m(3)-day; OLRII, 1.43 kg COD/m(3)). Higher current density was observed at pH6.0 [160.36 mA/m(2) (OLRI); 282.83 mA/m(2) (OLRII)] than pH5.0 (137.24 mA/m(2)) and pH 7.0 (129.25 mA/m(2)). Bio-electrochemical behavior of fuel cell was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry which showed the presence of redox mediators (NADH/NAD(+); FADH/FAD(+)). Higher electron discharge was observed at pH6.0, suggesting higher proton shuttling through the involvement of different redox mediators. The application of yeast based fuel cell can be extended to treat high strength wastewaters with simultaneous power generation.

Analysis of a microbial electrochemical cell using the proton condition in biofilm (PCBIOFILM) model

Common to all microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs) are the anode-respiring bacteria (ARB), which transfer electrons to an anode and release protons that must transport out of the biofilm. Here, we develop a novel modeling platform, Proton Condition in BIOFILM (PCBIOFILM), with a structure geared towards mechanistically explaining: (1) how the ARB half reaction produces enough acid to inhibit the ARB by low pH; (2) how the diffusion of alkalinity carriers (phosphates and carbonates) control the pH gradients in the biofilm anode; (3) how increasing alkalinity attenuates pH gradients and increases current; and (4) why carbonates enable higher current density than phosphates. Analysis of literature data using PCBIOFILM supports the hypothesis that alkalinity limits the maximum current density for MXCs. An alkalinity criterion for eliminating low-pH limitation - 12 mgCaCO(3)/mg BOD--implies that a practical MXC can achieve a maximum current density with an effluent quality comparable to anaerobic digestion.

Effect of external resistance on bacterial diversity and metabolism in cellulose-fed microbial fuel cells

External resistance affects the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) by controlling the flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of external resistance on bacterial diversity and metabolism in MFCs. Four external resistances (20, 249, 480, and 1000 Ω) were tested by operating parallel MFCs independently at constant circuit loads for 10 weeks. A maximum power density of 66 mW m(-2) was achieved by the 20 Ω MFCs, while the MFCs with 249, 480, and 1000 Ω external resistances produced 57.5, 27, and 47 mW m(-2), respectively. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of partial 16S rRNA genes showed clear differences between the planktonic and anode-attached populations at various external resistances. Concentrations of short chain fatty acids were higher in MFCs with larger circuit loads, suggesting that fermentative metabolism dominated over anaerobic respiration using the anode as the final electron acceptor.