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Updated: May 8, 2026

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization
Published on: December 29, 2013
Pulse-width modulated external resistance increases the microbial fuel cell power output
J Coronado1, M Perrier1, B Tartakovsky2
1Departement de Génie Chimique, École Polytechnique Montréal, C.P.6079 Succ., Centre-Ville Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada.
Abstract:
This study describes MFC operation with a pulse-width modulated connection of the external resistor (R-PWM mode) at low and high frequencies. Analysis of the output voltage profiles acquired during R-PWM tests showed the presence of slow and fast dynamic components, which can be described by a simple equivalent circuit model suitable for process control applications. At operating frequencies above 100 Hz a noticeable improvement in MFC performance was observed with the power output increase of 22-43% as compared to MFC operation with a constant external resistance.
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