Pumping microbial fuel cells

Experimental data is presented comparing microbial fuel cell (MFC) power from buried (control) and chambered anodes exposed to slow flow pumping (2 mL/min). Results show that upon initial pumping (3 hrs), a robust upturn in MFC power from the chambered anodes was stimulated over several days, while a second pumping (4 hrs) appeared to resuscitate and sustain increased power for five more days. Analysis of energy gained (G) in the test setup vs. energy input (I) required for a commercial low power pump revealed a potential G/I ratio of 2.4. A pier side test was also conducted to demonstrate how tide-induced hydrostatic pressure changes could be used to pump an MFC chamber.