Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I've decided to do this project "Waste Not, Want Not: Use the Microbial Fuel Cell to Create Electricity from Waste" for my science fair, the only problem is that i do not have access to a live stream of water because it is currently winter where i live, what do i do?? and also is it necessary to create 3 microbial fuel cells or is one enough??

Hi Vcleo,

Welcome to Science Buddies. I think you are doing this project, which is a really great, but challenging science project:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p026.shtml

For your sample of mixed microbes that include the anaerobic bacteria that will form a biofilm on the anode electrode to generate the electron flow for your cell, you need a sample of mud from the bottom of a body of fresh water; it does not have to be a free flowing stream. Are there any small lakes that are not frozen over available? You can collect a sample using a bucket and rope, if necessary.

Or, are there any streams small enough that you could chip through the ice and collect a sample of frozen mud from the bottom? I'm sure the bacteria would thaw and start to grow again as soon as you can provide a higher temperature.

Be very careful and do not try to collect the sample by yourself. Collecting mud from frozen water sources is hazardous.

Creating one operating microbial fuel cell is enough for this project. You will need to measure the current and voltage output to confirm that your cell works.

Please post again if you have more questions.


Donna Hardy

thank you so much, and yes i will try to collect mud from a small river or stream, if not could i use actual sewage water, or is that hazardous?

Hi,

Sewage water would be potentially hazardous, so try to find a small steam that you can access.


Donna

Hi,

One more suggestion. It will be a while until you have a functioning microbial fuel cell, but try to plan to do a simple experiment with your fuel cell, either to run a small device that uses a very low current, or vary the temperature, or try different resistors or other components. That will give you a complete experiment.

Donna Hardy