What do you think about studying the electricity production in an Algal Microbial Fuel Cell? Namely at the anode there is for example a solution with bacteria which degradate organic matter into CO2, and at the cathode a solution containing an algal species which use the CO2 produced at the anode and allows to close the electrons circuit to produce electrical energy?
On this specific type of AMFC I found only an article "Continuous Microbial Fuel Cell Using a Photoautotrophic Cathode and a Fermentative Anode" by Pranabendu Mitra and Gordon A. Hill dated 2012. No other recent literature.
What do you think about the technical and economic feasibility ?
And the Sustainability ?
And the contribution to Environmental and Climatic problems in long term?
Thank you very much
Absolutely - there's a number of startups chasing MFCs, and the technology has become more viable with higher current densities with the advent of high-efficiency AEMs - with full disclosure I'm affiliated with Ionomr, an advanced AEM membrane and ionomer supplier.
A list of those who are supposed to be in the quest: MICROrganic Technologies, Cambrian Innovation Inc, Vinpro Technologies, Triqua International BV, Sainergy Tech, Inc., Prongineer, Fluence Corporation, Microbial Robotics, Emefcy, Protonex and ElectroChem. At a high level they offer significant energy and potentially area reductions for processing organics versus normal aeration, so it has a business case that very much depends on achievable current densities.
Since you're interested in the field, it''s worth tracking down the papers of key team members and having discussions on where the technical challenges lie.
There are also a wealth of other opportunities in electrochemistry with a great many challenges to be addressed.
Hi Caterine,
It'd be absolutely great to work on MFCs as it's one of the hot topics right now. You know, it is useful to start from the problems when considering some studies. When you investigate the dynamics of algae, you will find solutions to environmental problems while generating electricity with the MFC concept. While providing algae with the nutrients they need, you may have contributed to the treatment of wastewater with high organic load and you will have progressed in the field of renewable energy.
Thank you all for the absolutely interesting answers.
Actually, I was thinking about using an algal MFC for wastewater treatment (with high organic load) that would be at the anode, and a wastewater containing high N and P nutrients for algae growth at the cathode. So, using waste as substrates can effectively reduce economic issues related to algae growth.
Basically electricity production, waste treatment and algal biomass (with further implementation towards bioproducts and bioenergy) are the key concept for what I have in mind.
Maybe using microorganism and alga strains that naturally grow in the wastewater employed.
Yes, that is exactly what I recommend to you. Good luck on your work! Caterina Celi
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