The Effect of Different Concentrations of Caffeine on the Production of Electricity from a Microbial Battery

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of this experiment was to determine if caffeine would have an effect on the electricity flow from a microbial battery. I hypothesized that caffeine would increase the electricity flow from a microbial battery. Methods/Materials A microbial battery was built using two plastic cups, a 19cm boba straw, and aluminum foil for the electrodes. Coffee filter was placed into the boba straw and a 200g sample into the anode and 200ml of 1M NaCl in the cathode. One battery was set up with 0g caffeine, one 0.3g, one 0.6g, one 0.9g, and one 1.2g of caffeine for 40+ hours. The Arduino-based microcontroller automated the data collection of the voltage readings. Results The control group showed a relatively steady average voltage output from the microbial cell. The group with 0.3g of caffeine showed a change of 0.0089 mV per second, a change of 0.0086mV. The group with 0.6g of caffeine showed a drastic change of 0.0188mV from control. The group with 0.9g of caffeine showed a steady average output of electricity production. The group with 1.2g of caffeine actually showed a slight decrease in the voltage output. Conclusions/Discussion Thus my hypothesis was supported by the data. The increase in caffeine did cause an eventual increase in the voltage production, particularly when 0.6g of caffeine was added to the microbial battery. Anything higher, the average voltage change decreases. Microbes at higher caffeine concentrations are toxic to the effects of caffeine.

Awards (1)

• Honorable Mention

Competition history

• CSEF 2014 Environmental Science · Entry S1123

Resources

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