Microbial fuel cells directly powering a microcomputer

JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES

卷:446

Article

Walter, Xavier Alexis¹  Greenman, John¹  Ieropoulos, Ioannis A.¹ 

[1] UWE, Bristol BioEnergy Ctr, Bristol Robot Lab, T Block,Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, Avon, England

关键词: Membraneless microbial fuel cell;    Urine;    Energy source;    Practical applications;    Direct power;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227328

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Many studies have demonstrated that microbial fuel cells (MFC) can be energy-positive systems and power various low power applications. However, to be employed as a low-level power source, MFC systems rely on energy management circuitry, used to increase voltage levels and act as energy buffers, thus delivering stable power outputs. But stability comes at a cost, one that needs to be kept minimal for the technology to be deployed into society. The present study reports, for the first time, the use of a MFC system that directly and continuously powered a small application without any electronic intermediary. A cascade comprising four membrane-less MFCs modules and producing an average of 62 mA at 2550 mV (158 mW) was used to directly power a microcomputer and its screen (Gameboy Color, Nintendo (R)). The polarisation experiment showed that the cascade produced 164 mA, at the minimum voltage required to run the microcomputer (ca. 1.850 V). As the microcomputer only needed approximate to 70 mA, the cascade ran at a higher voltage (2.550 V), thus, maintaining the individual modules at a high potential (>0.55 V). Running the system at these high potentials helped avoid cell reversal, thus delivering a stable level of energy without the support of any electronics.

【 授权许可】

Free