Development of Microbial Fuel Cell Prototypes for Examination of the Temporal and Spatial Response of Anodic Bacterial Communities in Marine Sediments

Abstract

Many bacteria can convert chemical energy to electrical energy: they oxidize diverse organic substrates, transfer electrons to anodic electrodes and thus generate electricity in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In the marine environment, microbial fuel cells, termed either sediment or benthic microbial fuel cells, have been developed to generate power via anodic bacteria in the ocean sediment. Power is dependent upon enriched anodic bacteria that transport their electrons onto the anode. The marine deployed MFC systems can provide renewable, harvested power to trickle charge batteries or other storage devices. Through power management systems these storage devices can power traditional electronic loads of interest. The systems have the promise to allow for long term deployment of in-water sensor and communications systems, providing decreased maintenance and increased operational capabilities.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA609893

Entities

People

  • Adriane Wotawa-bergen
  • David Bart Chadwick
  • Jinjun Kan
  • Ken Richter
  • Kenneth H. Nealson
  • Y. M. Arias-thode

Organizations

  • Naval Information Warfare Systems Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cell Movement
  • Cells
  • Communities
  • Data Acquisition
  • Earth Sciences
  • Electron Acceptors
  • Electronics
  • Environment
  • Fuel Cells
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Materials
  • Microbial Fuel Cells
  • Military Research
  • Prototypes
  • Sediments
  • Storage
  • Urban Areas

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Microbial Pathology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Microelectronics