Bacterial Fuel Cells: Utilizing E. Coli's Metabolism as an Alternative Energy Source

A fuel cell is an electrical device that converts fuel and an oxidant into electrical energy. My work focused on bacterial fuel cells (BFCs), a special type of fuel cell that uses electrons produced during glycolysis to produce electrical energy. Using low-cost and readily available materials, BFCs provide a source of renewable energy. Three E. coli-powered fuel cells connected in series produced 1.316 volts. Once this voltage was achieved, studies were shifted to optimizing conditions to increase voltage. Different electrodes and membranes were tested, showing that a dialysis tubing membrane with graphite electrodes produced the highest voltage difference. To test the effects of gravitational forces on the output of BFCs, six were designed for flight aboard a NASA sounding rocket. Data recorded aboard the NASA Orion 30.1 sounding rocket in one series of fuel cells indicate an inverse relationship between voltage and ?G?-forces. Data from the second set of cells are inconclusive. After flight, studies were focused on increasing voltage and current by varying the type of mediator used, and creating an anaerobic system.