Microbial fuel cell. Researcher holding a toy bat that has been charged by a microbial fuel cell. The fuel cell is comprised of several beakers of riv
Microbial fuel cell. Researcher holding a toy bat that has been charged by a microbial fuel cell. The fuel cell is comprised of several beakers of river sediment topped with water. Each beaker contains a graphite anode buried in the sediment, and a graphite cathode suspended in the water. Wires connected to each electrode, and joined together by a resistor, form a circuit. Anaerobic bacteria in the sediment, such as Geobacter species, colonise the anode and oxidise the organic matter in the sediment. Geobacter is able to directly transfer electrons from the organic matter to the anode during oxidation. The electrons flow to the cathode, generating electricity. Photographed in 2007 at the University of Massachusetts, USA.
Size: 4288px × 2848px
Photo credit: © VOLKER STEGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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