Fast Start-Up Microfluidic Microbial Fuel Cells With Serpentine Microchannel

Area of Science:

• Microfluidics
• Electrochemistry
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Microfluidic microbial fuel cells (MMFCs) are explored as sustainable power sources for microelectronics.
• Typical Y-shaped MMFCs have limited interfacial electron transfer, restricting performance.
• Co-laminar microfluidic structures offer advantages but face anode limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a membraneless MMFC with a serpentine microchannel to enhance interfacial electron transfer.
• To improve the power generation performance of MMFCs.
• To investigate the potential of serpentine microchannels in MMFCs for biochip applications.

Main Methods:

• Development of a membraneless MMFC utilizing a serpentine microchannel design.
• Utilizing laminar flow properties to eliminate the need for a proton exchange membrane (PEM).
• Catalyzing the MMFC with *Shewanella putrefaciens* CN32.

Main Results:

• The serpentine microchannel design significantly increased power density.
• The developed S-MMFC achieved a peak power density of 360 mW/m².
• The device demonstrated a shorter start-up time and longer duration at high current plateau compared to previous MMFCs.

Conclusions:

• The serpentine microchannel MMFC effectively enhances interfacial electron transfer and power generation.
• The membraneless design is viable due to laminar flow characteristics.
• This MMFC technology shows significant promise for powering biochips and advancing microfluidic energy applications.