Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) generate electricity through bacteria that catalyze the oxidation of organic and inorganic matter. MFCs have three main components - an anode where bacteria adhere and produce electrons, a cathode where oxygen is reduced, and a membrane separating the two. As bacteria respire, they transfer electrons to the anode which flow through an external circuit to the cathode. MFCs can treat wastewater while generating electricity and have applications for powering remote devices, biosensing, and more. However, challenges remain in scaling up designs and reducing internal resistance for practical applications.

1. Let there be light!!

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3. MICROBIAL FUEL CELL Waste water treament and electricity generation

4. DEFINITION: WHAT IS A MICROBIAL FUEL CELL?? Battery Conversion of chemical energy into Electrical energy Use microorganisms as a catalyst

5. The microorganisms that have the ability to produce electricity are called : Cellular respiration Final e- acceptor: electrodes in a cell rather than nitrates sulphates iron and oxygen . electrogenics MICROELECTRICITY

6. Electrolytic cell WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

8. Cellular respiration b.Cellular respiration

9. 3 main components

10. How does it work?

12. Bacteria form a community on anode called BIOFILM . Biofilm produce a matrix that stick to the anode. Sticky matrix consists of extracellular proteins, sugars, and bacterial cells. tiny conductive nanowires that may help facilitate electron conduction. ISSUE:HOW TO STICK BACTERIA TO ANODE?

13. A N O D E and c a t h o d e conductive Chemically stable biocompatible Non corrosive Stainless steel mesh Graphite plates Glassy carbons platinum

14. TYPES OF MFC 1. ANY MICROBE CAN PRODUCE ELECTRICITY WITH AN ELECTRON SHUTTLE (INEFFICIENT) 2.MEDIATORS ARE MOSTLY PHENOLICS WHICH ARE EXPENSIVE & TOXIC 1.NO ADDITIONAL ELECTRON SHUTTLE IS NEEDED 2.FEW KNOWN MICROBES HAVE THIS ABILITY 3.SHEWANELLA AND IRON REDUCERS DO!

15. Geobacteraceae , Desulfuromonas , Alcaligenes faecalis , Enterococcus faecium , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Bacteroides and Aeromonas species were detected in the before-mentioned studies Azoarcus and Azospirillum ) ISSUE:WHICH MICROORGANISM TO BE USED?

16. APPLICATIONS AND USES scale up scale down mfc Waste disposal Water treatment biosensors teaching Medical devices Remote power supplies

17. ADVANTAGES LOW COST LOW MAINTENANCE ZERO POLLUTION SUSTAINABLE POWER VASTLY AVAILABLE USE WIDE RANGE OF fuels

18. WASTEWATER TREATMENT We don’t spend a lot of time pondering wastewater treament unless we absolutely have to!! 2 billion people are without access to adequate sanitation or safe drinking water. These challenges demand for innovative solution This is where microbial fuel cell comes in…

21. Various mfc designs in use The designs can be divided in two types: 1) Research type MFCs :

22. Continuous mfc

23. Scale up is still a big challenge High cost of cation exchange membranes Potential for biofouling High internal resistance the power generation and limit the practical applications of mfc’c NEGATIVE SIDE OF THE PICTURE

24. CONCLUSION With the world’s attention focused on global warming and depleting Natural resources, demand for green energy booming!! Mfc is an excellent source of bioenergy,that is energy from micro organisms. It is a promising solution for energy crisis because it is cheaper, cleaner and sustainable and can use variety of substrate/waste as a fuel Since It is a novel technology,it still needs a lot of working and recognition to be applied on large scale all over the world.