Team:UAAAN/Demonstrate

Currently, numerous research groups worldwide have focused on the search for alternative energy sources that contribute in a sustainable way to the mitigation of energy demand. One of the most innovative alternatives has been the use of ions produced by bacterial metabolism, its use as an electrochemical source.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer the possibility of efficiently converting organic compounds into electricity through the use of micro-organisms. In recent years, a number of technologies have been developed that focus on the use of energy accumulated in waste biomass, to target other forms of energy that vulnerable communities can use, as they are: BioHydroGene (H2) and bioelectricity. MFCs are a promising option for renewable energy generation that can be used as electricity.

This type of battery has advantages such as direct conversion from substrate to electricity, operate efficiently at room temperature, do not require the treatment of biogas generated in the cell, do not require extra energy to aerate the cathode and have potential application in remote locations with no electrical infrastructure. MFCs have been shown to have applications beyond energy generation such as the bioremediation of wastewater; or as a biosensor for the analysis of contaminants and in situ monitoring and control of biological processes.

REFERENCES

Madigan, M.T., MartinkoJ.M., Dunlap P.V., ClarckDP. (2009). Brock Biología de los microorganismos. (12° ed.). Pearson Addison Wesley. 129-153, 441- 469 pp.

Logan B.E., ReganJ.M. (2006). Microbialfuel cells: Challenges and applications. Environ. Sci. Technol. Vol. 40. 5172-5180 pp. Recuperado el 21 de febrero de 2016 en:http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/enve/logan/bioenergy/technical_magazines/En vSciTech_09012006.pdf

Liu, H., Logan, B.E. (2004). ElectricityGenerationUsingan Air-Cathode Single ChamberMicrobial Fuel Cell in thePresence and Absence of a Proton Exchange Membrane. Environ. Sci. Technol. Vol. 38 (14). 4040-4046 pp. Recuperado el 21 de febrero de 2016 en: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es0499344