By: David Baldwin Kiana Goltz Kyle Canavan Colin Hooker

The Design Challenge is to research and find information on a Microbial Fuel Cell. After that, we will design a Microbial Fuel Cell of our own with mud that is rich in dead plant material. We hope that the Microbial Fuel Cell will be able to power a small LED.

We went to many different websites that were full of information, to help us understand the Microbial Fuel Cell. Some sites were: http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/enve/logan/bioenergy/research_mfc.htm http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Microbial-Fuel-Cell-MFC-PartII/step1/Bill-of-Materials/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbial_fuel_cell

We looked for different materials to find out how the Microbial Fuel Cell worked, what is was, and how to make it.

We also conversed with our peers, and asked what websites they went on that helped them get information on the project.

A Microbial Fuel Cell is a bio-electrochemical system that makes current or voltage by copying bacterial interactions found in nature. It converts chemical energy to electrical energy by the catalytic reaction of microorganisms. There are many types of fuel cells.

Microbial Fuel Cells could be a very high output in power in the future. The amount of swamps, ponds, and lakes that we have around the world could make quite a bit of electricity. Even though MFCs create very little energy, a large amount of them in one space could create a significant amount of energy. The best thing about MFCs are that they are relatively cheap to make, and they rely on a renewable resource.

First the electrons get removed from sources of organic matter (oxidation). Then it gives the electrons to something that will accept them (reduction).If certain bacteria are grown under anaerobic conditions they can transfer electrons to a carbon electrode. The electrons then move across a wire under a load, to the cathode where they combine with protons and oxygen to form water. When these electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, they generate the current and voltage.

Steps taken to build an MFC: 1.create salt bridge 2.assemble the electrodes 3.assemble the fuel cell 4.charging and operating

We viewed a handful of well drawn sketches that were of Microbial Fuel Cells. All of us then proceeded to make sketches of our own. We talked amongst our group and finally came to a conclusion of what our final design should be for our MFC.

These are the materials that we found on Instructables.com:

Clear plastic wrap Rubber bands Knox Unflavored Gelatin or Hide Glue (powdered not liquid) or Agar Household salt or lye Microbe-Lift Septic Tank Treatment - Ace Hardware