https://www.behance.net/gallery/18540419/Cartoon-Mudwatt-Microbial-Fuel-Cell-Kit
Background
: a microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a green energy device that harnesses the power of respiring bacteria to convert organic material in soil into electricity; it is a bio-electrochemical device
Electrogenic bacteria are a special type of bacteria. These bacteria live in soil deep underground or in the ocean floor. They "eat" nutrients and sugars in their environment, and then produce electrons that they release back into the surrounding soil. They can even be used to clean up toxic and radioactive waste (such as plutonium and uranium)!
Shewanella and Geobacter are electrogenic bacteria that live in soil. These bacteria like to group together to form a sort of mat called a biofilm, in which they "work together" thus increasing the quantity of electricity produced. When mud containing these electrogenic bacteria is combined with a few electronic components, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) can be created. An MFC is a type of clean, "green" renewable source of energy.
Shewanella and Geobacter are electrogenic bacteria that live in soil. These bacteria like to group together to form a sort of mat called a biofilm, in which they "work together" thus increasing the quantity of electricity produced. When mud containing these electrogenic bacteria is combined with a few electronic components, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) can be created. An MFC is a type of clean, "green" renewable source of energy.
Shewanella http://www.popsci.com/have-we-found-alien-life
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Geobacter https://lonelyspore.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/geobacter-sulfurreducens.jpg
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Building an MFC
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An MFC has two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) and an area that separates the electrodes (called a membrane). When electrons flow into one electrode and leave the other electrode, a current (flow of electricity) is procuded.
You will build an MFC called a MudWatt! Within a few days of building your MudWatt, an LED that is part of the circuit will start to blink using the electricity generated by your bacteria! This rate will increase over time as your bacteria population grows. Then you attach and operate other electronic gadgets. |
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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1073149387/mudwatt-build-your-own-battery-that-runs-on-mud
Videos
These videos provide a brief introduction to the MudWatt, and to the more general idea of building a microbial fuel cell.
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MudWatt Instructional Guide
The MudWatt Instructional Booklet provides background information on producing electricity from bacteria; how to construct the MudWatt; how to use the various hacker packs; and how to use the MudWatt Explorer App to measure energy output of the system.
| mudwatt_instructional_booklet.pdf |
MudWatt Explorer App
Go to the App Store on your phone and download and then install the MudWatt Explorer App. We'll be using it to learn more about microbial fuel cells as well as track the electricity output of our MudWatt MFC once the LED begins blinking!
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