Enhanced Performance of Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) Microbial Fuel Cells Using Electrospun Microfibrous Anode and Optimizing Operation

• Published in: Fuel cells (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2013-06, Vol.13 (3), p.336-341
• Main Authors: Fraiwan, A., Sundermier, S., Han, D., Steckl, A. J., Hassett, D. J., Choi, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Bubbles; Biofilms; Electrospining; Flow Rate; Fuel cells; MEMS Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC); Microchamber; Microelectromechanical systems; Poly(ϵ-Caprolactone) (PCL) Fiber; Shewanella Oneidensis MR-1
• ISSN: 1615-6846; 1615-6854
• DOI: 10.1002/fuce.201200225

In this work, a microfabricated anode based on gold coated poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) fiber was developed that outperformed gold microelectrode by a factor of 2.65‐fold and even carbon paper by 1.39‐fold. This is a result of its ability to three‐dimensionally interface with bacterial biofilm, the metabolic “engines” of the microbial fuel cell (MFC). We also examined unavoidable issues as the MFC is significantly reduced in size (e.g. to the microscale); (1) bubble production or movement into the microchamber and (2) high sensitivity to flow rate variations. In fact, intentionally induced bubble generation in the anodic chamber reduced the MFC current density by 33% and the MFC required 4 days to recover its initial performance. Under different flow rates in the anode chamber, the current densities were almost constant, however, the current increased up to 38% with increasing flow rate in the cathode.