Optimization of a Photosynthetic Microbial Fuel Cell

Overview

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Photosynthetic microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) present a relevant and new focal area in the field of renewable energy. In PMFCs, electrons produced by anaerobic bacteria are t ransferred via conductive electrodes to algae, creating a n electrical current. Chemical mediators, such as methylene blue (MB), are necessary to transport electrons between bacterial/algal cells and electrodes, but are costly and unsustainable. Flavins are naturally-produced molecules, which correspond to greater external electron transport. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the novel use of riboflavin as a supplemented mediator. Riboflavin was chosen because of recent development of its mass- production through biosynthesis. It was hypothesized that if riboflavin was added to PMFCs as a mediator, then it would lead to better energy production than MB or mediator -less PMFCs. PMFCs were constructed with Spirulina platensis algae and anaerobic bacteria. Then, three sets of trials were conducted, comparing (1) riboflavin to a mediator-less PMFC, (2) riboflavin to MB, and (3) a riboflavin-coated carbon-cloth electrode to a typical PMFC. It was found that PMFCs with riboflavin were superior to both mediator- less and MB. This project holds important implications for the future by making PMFCs far more accessible, and presents a novel method of increasing PMFC energy production.

Competition history

• JSHS 2020 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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