MFC

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Microbial Fuel Cells use bacteria to convert waste into electrical energy. These bacteria break down almost any biodegradable organic waste including sewage and water waste and use it as fuel to generate power. Places like Penn State University and The Biodesign Institute in Arizona State University are already testing and improving this new alternative energy. According to Penn State University they have achieved in producing 1.5 watts per meter squared of amount of waste water taken in and believe that a large industrial plant will be able to produce near 0.8 watts per meter squared and will be able to support about 500 homes (9). This is a new technology that is being avidly researched, however it is not currently used in large industrial plants or treatment centers. However this new technology has already been funded by organizations like NASA, OpenCEL and NZ Legacy (7). Even a small prototype has been built by Australian Beer Company Fosters in May 2007; it has 12 modules and already produces carbon dioxide, electricity and clean water. (12). The usage of this energy is slowly increasing as more research has been invested into it and its advancements.

Microbial Fuel cells are extremely versatile, being able to work in a number of different environments with many different conditions. They can use almost all types of waste as long as it’s possible for it to organically decompose; it also does not require a further input of electricity or power. It does however require certain parts and certain bacteria, though many different types are currently being tested out in different research institutes to see which one is the most successful. This is a solar-based alternative energy as the bacteria consume the glucose that arri...

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...ntly it is attempted to tweak it for producing more energy as well as becoming more commercial so it can be used for large and central treatment centers and other factories around the world. It might also be used for homes as a personal sewage treater and possibly as a basis for smaller MFC designs that would make pacemakers run on blood sugar instead of requiring a battery that has to be changed approximately every 10 years (19). It’s important to research MFC as they show a clear solution for our waste problems and can help benefit the revolution of renewable energy. Though they don’t produce a lot of power, they have a lot of fuel to use and it would be a waste to ignore this possibly and let the stored energy in sewage and wastewater go unused. Microbial Fuel Cells can contribute heavily to society and it is almost certain that they will be seen in the future.

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