The document discusses the potential of bacteria, specifically geobacter sulfurreducens and others, to generate electricity through microbial fuel cells, utilizing organic waste and radioactive materials as fuel sources. It highlights various applications, including power generation for remote locations and space missions, while emphasizing ongoing research to enhance microbial efficacy and electrode design for electricity production. The promising future of converting waste to power through microorganisms is noted, though these technologies are not yet commercially viable.

2. Bacteria as Living batteries???

4. Ever increasing Need for ENERGY

5. Newer solutions...Unlimited supply of fuel

6. No reliance on foreign oil

7. Little or no pollutants

8. No moving parts

9. No noiseFuel cells

11. Bacterium That Eats Radioactive Garbage And Generates ElectricityBacterium with the potential to bioremediate radioactive metals and generate electricity was found.

12. Geobacter sulfurreducens possesses extraordinary capabilities to transport electrons and "reduce" metal ions as part of its energy-generating metabolism. Forget Horsepower, Think Cow-PowerSome of the micro-organisms found in cow waste could provide a reliable source of electricity.

13. Microbes in about a half a liter of rumen fluid - fermented, liquefied feed extracted from the cow's stomach - produced about 600 milli volts of electricity. Iron Breathers Sediments at the bottom of Boston HarborDesulfuromonasacetoxidans

15. What are they??? Bioreactor: type of battery

16. Produces electrochemical redox energy

17. Renewable and sustainable energy

18. Converts chemical energy, available in a bio-convertible substrate, directly into electricity12

19. Microbial fuel cellsMicrobial fuel cells may use wastewater as a fuel, or more generally a dilute solution of a variety of organic materials in water. Organic matter is oxidized by bacteria creating an electric potential.

20. Electrons produced are transferred to anode and flow to cathode.

21. Electron Transport chain

24. Catalyst Often PlatinumV VCathode Chamber

25. Exposed to air<--Anode Chamber

26. Stores fuel-->^Membrane - Allows for H+ passage18

27. AnodeUsually graphite, carbon cloth/paper

28. 20BiocatalystsProton exchange membraneCathodeCommonly Nafion or Ultrex ; salt bridges also used

29. Barrier between anodic and cathodic chambers

30. Must be permeable to charged species, reduce oxygen transfer to anodic chamber

31. Bacteria-metal reducing bacteria

32. Heterotrophic, auto heterotrophic, mixed-cultureCarbon Rod and Carbon Fiber Electrodes202020

34. As an example, Glucose is used as organic substrateAnodeCathode