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Microbial Fuel Cells

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Fuel Cell Technology

Part of the book series: Engineering Materials and Processes ((EMP))

Abstract

Cellular life exists at the interface between electrochemical extremes. The energy of most living cells depends on the transfer of electrons from intracellular, electrically reduced biochemicals to oxidized extracellular acceptors. For almost one hundred years investigators have tried to tap into these processes in microbes for electrical power generation. Efforts have been made to use microbes as complex catalysts to oxidize relatively inexpensive organic and inorganic substrates as fuels in compact spaces in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). However, natural selection does not favor microbial metabolism under such conditions. Evolution has shaped microbes to use their growth substrate efficiently to reproduce under changing environmental conditions. Consequently, they are not optimized for use in MFCs, where electrons derived from substrate oxidation go only to the anode and not to cell growth

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  1. Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269

    Ken Noll

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  1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado, 80401, USA

    Nigel Sammes BSc, PhD, MBA (Herman F. Coors Distinguished Professor of Ceramic Engineering) (Herman F. Coors Distinguished Professor of Ceramic Engineering)

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Noll, K. (2006). Microbial Fuel Cells. In: Sammes, N. (eds) Fuel Cell Technology. Engineering Materials and Processes. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-207-1_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-207-1_9

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