Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I'm working on the science experiment Waste Not, Want Not, making a microbial fuel cell. It gave me guidelines to create a fuel cell powered by mud and water.
My experiment hasn't produced any power whatsoever for two days... what did I do wrong?

Hi BubblyLaugh,

Without some more specifics, it is difficult to troubleshoot the problem. So, the more details you can provide the better! Here are some initial thoughts, but without more details I can't say much more - if you can tell me when the problem started, if you are using all the right materials, if you had any issues building the fuel cell, etc. I will be able to help you more. The more detail, the better.

Did it produce power initially? Or has it never produced power? Have you used the multimeter to double check that all of your connections are good? Did the temperature of the mud samples ever get below freezing or above boiling (in other words, could the microbes be dead?)

Like I said, post back with details and we will be better able to help you.