Development of Micro-sized Microbial Fuel Cells as Ultra-Low Power Generators Using Nano-engineered Materials and Sustainable Designs

الموضوعات

علوم تطبيقية وتكنولوجية

الملخص

Many of the most pressing global challenges today and in the future center around thescarcity of sustainable energy and water sources. The innovative microbial fuel cell(MFC) technology addresses both as it utilizes bacteria to convert wastewaters intoelectricity. Advancing this technology requires a better understanding of the optimalmaterials, designs and conditions involved. The micro-sized MFC was recentlydeveloped to serve this need by providing a rapid testing device requiring only a fractionof the materials. Further, development of micro-liter scale MFCs has expanded intopotential applications such as remote and self-sustained power sources as well as on-chipenergy generators. By using microfabrication, the fabrication and assembly of microsizedMFCs is potentially inexpensive and mass produced.The objective of the work within this dissertation was to explore and optimize themicro-sized MFC to maximize power and current generation towards the goal of a usableand application-oriented device. Micro-sized MFCs were examined and developed usingfour parameters/themes considered most important in producing a high power generating,yet usable device:Anode- The use of nano-engineered carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes andgraphene, as anode as well as testing semiconductor industry standard anode contact areamaterials for enhanced current production.5Cathode- The introduction of a membrane-less air cathode to eliminate the need forcontinuous chemical refills and making the entire device mobile.Reactor design- The testing of four different reactor designs (1-75 μLs) with variousfeatures intended to increase sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and usability of the microsizedMFC.Fuels- The utilization of real-world fuels, such as industrial wastewaters and saliva,to power micro-sized MFCs.The micro-sized MFC can be tailored to fit a variety of applications by varying theseparameters. The device with the highest power production here was designed to be aninexpensive and robust power source in applications like point-of-care diagnostics indeveloping countries. This 25 μL graphene nanomaterial anode, air cathode device in aninexpensive flexible rubber architecture was powered by saliva and achieved 3.55μW/cm2 and 35.2 W/m3. The continued optimization of MFC technology promises manyinteresting and innovative applications.

روابط وملفات

التعريف والنوع

رقم الوثيقة

fb633419-84c9-4578-b223-cc6ef8f049e9

رقم العقد

0

نوع الوسائط

Crawler

نوع المحتوى

الرسائل العلمية

صيغة المصدر

رسائل دكتوراة

نوع الملف

pdf text

أسماء الملفات

1700452_1.pdf, 1700452_2.pdf, 1700452_3.pdf

بيانات النشر

ألقاب المؤلفين

[{"name_ar":"جوستين مينك","title_ar":"اعداد","title_en":"Preparation"},{"name_ar":"محمد مصطفى حسين","title_ar":"اشراف","title_en":"Supervision"}]

اللغة

English

المصدر والدورية

اسم المصدر

Development of Micro-sized Microbial Fuel Cells as Ultra-Low Power Generators Using Nano-engineered Materials and Sustainable Designs

المحتوى والصفحات

عدد الصفحات

0

كلمات الباحثين

Microbial Fuel Cell , Micro-sized , nanotechnology

إشراف وإعداد

الإشراف

محمد مصطفى حسين

الإعداد

جوستين مينك

الاقتباسات الببليوغرافية