Publication Type
Journal
Journal Name
Journal of Power Sources
Publication Date
Page Numbers
520 to 527
Volume
191
Issue
2
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFC) hold promise as a green technology for bioenergy production. The challenge
is to improve the engineering design while exploiting the ability of microbes to generate and transfer
electrons directly to electrodes. A strategy using a combination of improved anode design and an enrichment
processwas formulated to improve power densities. The designwas based on a flow-through anode
with minimal dead volume and a high electrode surface area per unit volume. The strategy focused on
promoting biofilm formation via a combination of forced flow through the anode, carbon limitation, and
step-wise reduction of external resistance. The enrichment process resulted in development of exoelectrogenic
biofilm communities dominated by Anaeromusa spp. This is the first report identifying organisms
fromthe Veillonellaceae family in MFCs. The power density of the resulting MFC using a ferricyanide cathode
reached 300Wm−3 net anode volume (3220mWm−2), which is about a third of what is estimated
to be necessary for commercial consideration. The operational stability of the MFC using high specific
surface area electrodes was demonstrated by operating the MFC for a period of over four months.