Electrifying Wastewater - Using Microbial Fuel Cells to Generate Electricity - Bytesize Science

When we think about fuel for power plants, oil, coal and natural gas typically comes to mind. Now, try adding wastewater to that mix. In this video, Professor Bruce E Logan from Pennsylvania State University shows us a microbial fuel cell, a device that can extract the energy from wastewater and turn it into electricity.
The ability to use bacteria to generate electricity from wastewater has been known since the 1910s. However, interest in the microbial fuel cell only picked up in the 1960s, and today, many research groups worldwide are working on making microbial fuel cells practical for a number of applications like generating electricity and desalinating seawater.
To see some microbial fuel cells constructed from plastic bottles and Ziploc containers by middle and high school students, or to learn how to make your own, visit Professor Logan's website at: engr.psu.edu/ce/enve/logan/bioenergy/mfc_make_cell.htm
Follow us on Twitter: @BytesizeScience
Video by XiaoZhi Lim
Produced by the American Chemical Society

[@GideonGilda]

great illustration. Clear simplified. Thanks

[@Barbekew]

10/10 would watch again

[@cheryl7634]

Thank you for posting. Even if the system were break-even, it would be worthwhile to implement. I would like to learn more.

[@wilginceapollon7983]

Recent article (Sep, 2020):
authors.elsevier.com/a/1bh-l15eiez~sH

[@RobUsiskin]

1:42 This diagram is not accurate. Another charged species like H+ needs to flow between the anode and cathode, and O2 does not stay in the gas phase after it picks up electrons.

[@dr.debajyotibose2928]

yup, in fact, I made the system as per this animation, it doesn't work.

[@magnaknight9252]

How long does it last for whatever organic materials to power up any electronics or robots?

[@wendycinto75]

which steps in water would be modified by this treatment method?

[@BAKKER2727]

super

[@wendycinto75]

what are the nutritional requirements of the organism that do this process?

[@PigCreekHomestead]

can this be used in a biogas system? i.e. While the bacteria is breaking down organic matter a microbial fuel cell is used for direct energy production AND can the system still produces methane that can to be used in a standard fuel cell or turbine? If so, seems like a lot of energy we're flushing....

[@98karlh]

There is work being done on optimizing biogas production using MFC, but thats slightly different.
Basically the methanogenic bacteria are competing with the exoelectrogenic bacteria (that make the MFC work), they eat the same food, but methanogenesis is less efficient so is outcompeeted. This is the basis of how MFC can be used to reduce methane emissions (greenhouse gas).

[@paramasivam5109]

Supper well

[@suijaeneris2488]

What specific bacteria can be found in waste water?

[@98karlh]

about a billion kinds I would guess

[@alexandrshevtsov8]

Я так понимаю он предлагает метановые топливные элементы, но ведь давно есть станции на которых энергию получают сжигая этот метан в газовых турбинах потому что это дешевле.

[@paramasivam5109]

👌👌👌👌

[@ciencias3344]

hmmmm 10 years later....

[@neogovernment]

There is a much easier way of doing it than this. I guess I will have to make a video!

[@magoomba]

isn't it already? why would you hoard poop?

[@AngelLestat2]

I hate these videos when they talk about a technology but without given any number..
How much it can generate depending the size? I am sure they have that value

[@VSShiva]

we can power cars with it!!

[@Aaaa1234ash]

I do not know

[@98karlh]

I think we will have fusion before MFC generates enough power density :)

[@sebastianpaez1579]

esto es lo mas aburrido