title: Effect of growth solution, membrane size and array connection on microbial fuel cell power supply for medical devices.
abstract: Implanted biomedical devices typically last a number of years before their batteries are depleted and a surgery is required to replace them. A Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a device which by using bacteria, directly breaks down sugars to generate electricity. Conceptually there is potential to continually power implanted medical devices for the lifetime of a patient. To investigate the practical potential of this technology, H-Cell Dual Chamber MFCs were evaluated with two different growth solutions and measurements recorded for maximum power output both of individual MFCs and connected MFCs. Using Luria-Bertani media and connecting MFCs in a hybrid series and parallel arrangement with larger membrane sizes showed the highest power output and the greatest potential for replacing implanted batteries.
authors.forename: Daniel N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Roxby
authors.lastname: Nham Tran
authors.lastname: Pak-Lam Yu
authors.forename: Hung T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans