Methods and apparatus for increasing biofilm formation and power output in microbial fuel cells

• US 8,114,544 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2009
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HRL Laboratories LLC (The Boeing Co.)
• Original Assignee: HRL Laboratories LLC (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: Salguero, Tina T., Hicks-Garner, Jocelyn, Soukiazian, Souren
• Primary Examiner(s): Gupta, Yogendra
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, JEREMIAH R
• Application Number:
  US12/386,087
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 429/401, 429/231.8
• US Class Current: 429/401
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/86 Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/90 Selection of catalytic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/9075 Catalytic material supported on carriers, e.g. powder carriers H01M4/8807, H01M4/881, H01M4/8814, H01M4/925 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A method and an apparatus is provided for increasing biofilm formation and power output in microbial fuel cells. An anode material in a microbial fuel cell has a three-dimensional and ordered structure. The anode material fills an entire anode compartment, and it is arranged to allow fluid flow within the anode compartment. The power output of microbial fuel cells is enhanced, primarily by increasing the formation and viability of electrogenic biofilms on the anodes of the microbial fuel cells. The anode material in a microbial fuel cell allows for the growth of a microbial biofilm to its natural thickness. In the instance of members of the Geobacteraceae family, the biofilm is able grow to a depth of about 40 microns.

Claims

1. An anode material in a microbial fuel cell having an electrode compartment, wherein the anode material comprises a microbial biofilm grown on a three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure;

wherein the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure comprises;

a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction;

a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction; and

a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction, wherein the first, second, and third ordered truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material.

2. The anode material of claim 1, wherein the anode material fills the entire electrode compartment.

3. The anode material of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure is an electron-conducting microstructure.

4. The anode material of claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure is a three-dimensional ordered open-cellular carbon microstructure.

5. The anode material of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure has a dimension that allows for growth of the microbial biofilm to its natural thickness;

and wherein the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure permits fluid flow within its internal space.

6. The anode material of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure has a electrical resistance less than about 25 Ohms.