Transcript Andrew Huizenga Lindsay Arnold Diane Esquivel Jeff Christians

Andrew Huizenga
Lindsay Arnold
Diane Esquivel
Jeff Christians
Presentation Outline
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Project Overview
Project Market
Design Norms
Research & Major Decisions
Major Obstacles
Next Step
Project Overview
Develop an Economical
Microbial Fuel Cell
 Improve Upon Existing
Designs

 Increase maximum output
 Decrease cost
microbialfuelcell.org
Project Overview

Metabolism and
Respiration
 Electron transport (ET)

Directing Flow of
Protons and Electrons
geobacter.org
Projected Market

Rural and Developing Areas
 Areas with little access to traditional means
of producing electricity
 Minimal electrical needs
Design Norms
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Transparency
 Intuitive
 Easy maintenance
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Stewardship
 Cost effective
 Eco-friendly
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Cultural Appropriateness
Research & Major Decisions
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MFC Architecture Selection
 Possible applications
 Customer’s needs
 Cost

Dual Cell Proton Exchange MFC
 Reliable
 Simplistic
 Usable output
Research & Major Decisions

Basis for Bacterial Selection
 Feed solution
 Documented success
 Cost

Geobacter sulfurreducens
 Acetate feed
 Success in literature
Research & Major Decisions
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Basis for Materials Selection
 Effectiveness and compatibility
 Cultural appropriateness
 Cost

Construction Materials
 Plain graphite anode
 Stainless steel cathode
 Ultrex membrane
Major Obstacles
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Performance Optimization
 Feed solution reproducibility
 Bacterial health
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Output Control
 Capacitor
 Voltage amplifier
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Budget
 Bacteria: $195
 Proton exchange membrane: $30
Next Step
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Contact Suppliers
 Purchase bacteria
Collaborate with Biology Department
 Develop Experimental Procedures
 Interim Experiments
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Questions?