NERENBERG RESEARCH GROUP

HOLLOW-FIBER MEMBRANE MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS (HFM-MFCs) FOR

ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION FROM WASTEWATER

Funding: National Science Foundation

Project duration: 7/2007 -7/2008

Graduate researcher: Caitlyn Shea, Kyle Bibby

Publications and presentations:

Caitlyn Shea and Robert Nerenberg (accepted). Hollow-Fiber Membrane Microbial Fuel Cells: Retrofitting Activated Sludge for Direct Production of Electricity. Indiana Water Environment Federation Annual Conference. November 2007, Indianapolis, IN.

R. Nerenberg and C. Shea (2007). Microbial Fuel Cells for Sustainable Energy Production from Wastewater. Purdue University 2007 Bioenergy Symposium. May 2007, West Lafayette, IN. Abstract, oral presentation.

C. Shea, S. J. Green, R. Nerenberg (2007). Microbial Fuel Cells: Changes in Microbial Community Structure as a Function of Anode Potential. 4th ASM Conference on Biofilms. March 2007, Quebec City.

Around 90% of the world’s energy is supplied via fossil fuels. Unfortunately, fossil fuels supplies are limited, and their utilization has negative environmental impacts, such as air pollution, acid rain, and potential contribution to global warming. Less-polluting and more sustainable technologies are needed. Fuel cells are a promising technology, and much attention has been devoted to hydrogen fuel cells. However, hydrogen is not a true energy source, as its production requires energy.

We are currently researching microbial fuel cells (MFCs). MFCs harness the energy in organic wastes, such as municipal or industrial wastewaters. MFCs operate similarly to a chemical fuel cell, but use microorganisms or enzymes to catalyze reactions and to transfer electrons to an electrode. Because MFCs generate electricity from essentially any biodegradable organic matter, and since some organisms in activated sludge can shuttle electrons to an electrode, the application of this technology to wastewater treatment plants is ideal. MFCs can directly produce electrical energy while treating the wastewater to environmental standards (Logan, ES&T editorial).

The MFC technology is in its early stages of development. Currently, we are developing new MFC configurations based on hollow-fiber membranes that allow high specific surface areas and low internal resistances. See single chamber MFC (left), and epifluorescence microscopy image of carbon fiber with biofilm (right). We also are characterizing the microbial community structure of our fuel cells and their mode of electron transfer, and exploring denitrification via MFCs.