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| Abstract Title:
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| Understanding Electron Transfer Mechanisms In Microbial Fuel Cells to Improve Renewable Energy Generation
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| Graduate Student Presenter:
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David P. Sanchez
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| Name of the Author(s) and Affiliation(s):
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David P. Sanchez, Dept. of Civil and Env. Eng.(U-Pittsburgh); Radisav Vidic Dept. of Civil and Env. Eng. (U-Pittsburgh) ;Kelvin Gregory, Dept. of Civil and Env. Eng. (Carnegie Mellon); Minhee Yun, Dept. of Elect. Eng. (U-Pittsburgh)
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The global energy and water crisis has prompted engineers to look for efficient ways of treating wastewater and new means of harvesting renewable energy. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) have the potential to become a sustainable technology that accomplishes both. Microbial Fuel Cells are devices that convert chemical to electrical energy using the enzymatic reactions of microorganisms. Currently, MFCs are being developed to oxidize wastewater constituents and other organic substrates to provide renewable energy and clean water. Unfortunately, the power outputs from current MFCs are not sufficiently high for practical use. The major bottleneck facing MFC power production is the internal resistance experienced in electron transfer between the microorganisms and electrode. Our research focuses on improving the efficiency of the electron transfer by increasing our understanding of the surface biochemical reactions and the interactions between electricigens, a platinum catalyst, and the electrodes. Preliminary results have shown that energy generation is partially dependent on the catalyst deposition method. Using nanofabrication methods such as e-beam and electrochemical deposition we aim to further characterize the physical and electrical stability of the electrode, the availability of platinum, and understand how these parameters affect the internal resistance. Additional studies are aimed at understanding the timing of colonization events on the electrodes as they are affected by the deposition method via modification of the electrode – microbe interface.
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