LIGHT-POWERED MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS
First Claim
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1. A light-powered microbial fuel cell, comprising:
- a light-admitting reaction chamber containing a photosynthetic organism in a growth medium, wherein the light-admitting reaction chamber is a single reaction chamber;
an anode disposed within the reaction chamber, the anode having an oxidation catalyst disposed thereon; and
a cathode in fluid and electrical communication with the anode, wherein the cathode includes a reduction catalyst disposed thereon that is accessible to oxygen gas.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for generating electricity utilizing a light-powered microbial fuel cell that includes a light-admitting reaction chamber containing a biological catalyst, such as a photosynthetic bacteria, in a growth medium, an anode and cathode disposed upon or within the reaction chamber, and a conductive material in electrical communication between the anode and cathode. The anode includes an oxidation catalyst, while the cathode includes a reduction catalyst that is accessible to oxygen gas. Preferably, the devices and methods utilize a single light-admitting chamber within which both cathodic and anodic reactions take place.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A light-powered microbial fuel cell, comprising:
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a light-admitting reaction chamber containing a photosynthetic organism in a growth medium, wherein the light-admitting reaction chamber is a single reaction chamber; an anode disposed within the reaction chamber, the anode having an oxidation catalyst disposed thereon; and a cathode in fluid and electrical communication with the anode, wherein the cathode includes a reduction catalyst disposed thereon that is accessible to oxygen gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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14. The microbial fuel cell of claim 14, wherein the conductant is a member selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, indium tin oxide, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof.
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21. A method for producing electricity in a light-powered microbial fuel cell, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a light-admitting reaction chamber containing in operative arrangement a photosynthetic organism in a growth medium, an anode, a cathode in electrical and fluid communication with the anode, Wherein the light-admitting reaction chamber is a single chamber in which both anodic and cathodic reactions occur, and wherein the anode includes an oxidation catalyst disposed thereon and the cathode includes a reduction catalyst disposed thereon that is accessible to oxygen gas; and (b) exposing the microbial fuel cell to light. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification