Directory:Penn State Microbial Fuel Cells Produce Hydrogen from Waste Water
Aka : "BioElectrochemically Assisted Microbial Reactor" (BEAMR)
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a completely new method of renewable energy recovery: the direct conversion of organic matter (e.g. sewage waste) to electricity using bacteria. The method is highly efficient and produces a high volume of hydrogen.
Researchers have designed a microbial electrolysis cell in which bacteria break up acetic acid (a product of plant waste fermentation) to produce hydrogen gas with a very small electrical input from an outside source. Hydrogen can then be used for fuel cells or as a fuel additive in vehicles that now run on natural gas.
Credit: Zina Deretsky, National Science Foundation.
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Hydrogen energy research has sprung to the forefront at Penn State University, where more than a hundred researchers are fully involved in developing new hydrogen energy and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
clipped from www.engr.psu.edu
Microbial Fuel Cells for Electricity Generation
Microbial fuel cell research involves the direct conversion of organic matter to electricity using bacteria. This new form of renewable energy recovery may be instituted into existing wastewater treatment plants to help generate the electricity used during water treatment, which consumes 5% of all electricity generated in the USA. Current research focuses on developing MFC's that use can use bacteria to both produce electricity and effectively clean wastewater, and improving methods to increase power generation.
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Directory:Penn State Microbial Fuel Cells Produce Hydrogen from Waste Water - PESWiki
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