Complete Microbiological Fuel Cell. A Photosynthetic Cathode Coupled to a Fermentative Anode

The culture of a photosynthetic microorganism using carbon dioxide as the growth substrate provides opportunities for bioremediation of an atmospheric pollutant and yield of valuable products. In addition, during the carbon dioxide capture and conversion process, it is possible to employ the photosynthetic culture in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) and generate electrical energy. In this research, the biokinetics of growth of a photosynthetic microorganism was studied and optimized. The growing cell culture was then combined with an ethanol fermentation culture, resulting in a complete microbial battery. The photosynthetic culture was employed as the electron acceptor in a cathodic half cell, while the fermentation culture operated as the anodic half cell, thus generating a potential difference across the cell. This new MFC is carbon dioxide neutral and produces ethanol in the anodic half cell chamber, and can reduce excess carbon at the cathode, in addition to generating electricity. The details of the complete MFC, along with power outputs will be presented. The effect of changing culture conditions on fuel cell operation will be reported.