Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells Engineered for High Power Density

Benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs) are bio-electrochemical power sources that derive fuel from renewable detritus. They have the potential to be cost-effective, sustainable energy sources to power remote, widely distributed instruments for oceanographic, environmental and biological monitoring. Currently, low power density limits their usefulness and cost-effectiveness. The objective is to develop biological and engineering approaches to substantially improve the long-term power density of BMFCs. Phase II will build on the success of Phase I, which demonstrated that the selective preemptive colonization of electrodes with naturally-derived marine microbes can achieve unprecedented power levels. In Phase II, microorganism selection/adaption and processes for preemptive colonization of full-scale BMFC electrodes prior to deployment will be developed. Laboratory experiments using sub-scale BMFCs will be performed with the goal of exceeding 5.8 W/m2 for at least 3 months under simulated natural marine conditions. High-power, field-able BMFCs and power management systems will be developed for powering marine sensor and telemetry systems that are relevant to Navy needs. The integrated microbiological and engineering approaches will be demonstrated in field-tested BMFCs with the goal of generating > 4 W/m2 for at least 4 months, and powering an integrated acoustic sensor for vessel traffic monitoring, data-logger and communications systems. Engineering and bioprocess revisions will be conducted under option programs that focus on BMFC system optimization, and extensive long-term field-testing at multiple locations in collaboration with Navy personnel.