title: Additive Manufacturing of a Microbial Fuel Cell--A detailed study.
abstract: In contemporary society we observe an everlasting permeation of electron devices, smartphones, portable computing tools. The tiniest living organisms on Earth could become the key to address this challenge: energy generation by bacterial processes from renewable stocks/waste through devices such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs). However, the application of this solution was limited by a moderately low efficiency. We explored the limits, if any, of additive manufacturing (AM) technology to fabricate a fully AM-based powering device, exploiting low density, open porosities able to host the microbes, systems easy to fuel continuously and to run safely. We obtained an optimal energy recovery close to 3 kWh m(-3) per day that can power sensors and low-power appliances, allowing data processing and transmission from remote/harsh environments.
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento, 21, 10129 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Flaviana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calignano
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento, 21, 10129 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Tonia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tommasi
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento, 21, 10129 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento, 21, 10129 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiolerio