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Enhanced Performance of Micro‐Electro‐Mechanical‐Systems (MEMS) Microbial Fuel Cells Using Electrospun Microfibrous Anode and Optimizing Operation
Author(s) -
Fraiwan A.,
Sundermier S.,
Han D.,
Steckl A. J.,
Hassett D. J.,
Choi S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
fuel cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1615-6854
pISSN - 1615-6846
DOI - 10.1002/fuce.201200225
Subject(s) - anode , microbial fuel cell , microscale chemistry , cathode , materials science , current density , volumetric flow rate , microelectrode , electrode , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , microelectromechanical systems , current collector , composite material , chemistry , electrolyte , physics , mathematics education , mathematics , quantum mechanics , engineering
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.