Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Currently I am trying to solve one of the uncountable problems that have risen in my experiment using microbial fuel cells (MFC). Currently I am looking for an electrode that is non-toxic to bacteria, currently I am thinking of using Shewanella Frigidmarina due to the fact that it is an “electrochemically active’ bacterium.
Please correct me if I am wrong but being electrochemically active means that the protons and electrons produced in fermentation can be, in a sense “ejected” from inside the membrane to the surroundings. With that being said, can anyone recommend any other “electrochemically active” bacteria that is relatively cheap, (note I am a 16-yr teenager with no job and parents that are reluctant to give me the green stuff).
Off that tangent, the best (recommended) electrode is carbon cloth, but due to my extreme shortage of funds and time constraints I am will not be able to use carbon cloth. Which is why I am soliciting help, I am open to any and all suggestions but keep in mind that the electrode cannot be toxic to my bacteria.
Thank You very much for helping my quest to find an electrode that is not toxic to bacteria

Hi,

Here is a book you might find helpful:

http://www.amazon.com/Microbial-Fuel-Ce ... 0470239484#

You might try to get through a university library or interlibrary loan. The table of contents indicates it may have answers to many of your questions.

Here is a short description of an inexpensive MFC:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09 ... lagers.php

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/10 ... _phone.php

http://www.technologyreview.com/business/21332/page1/

Dr. Bruce Logan of Penn State appears to be one of the leading experts in this area. Here is his page of advice on building MFCs:

http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/enve/logan/b ... e_cell.htm

Hope this helps! It sounds like a really great project. Have fun with it.

Best regards,

Barrett Tomlinson

Thank you very much
However, new and unforeseen problem s rises every day.
The chamber (plastic containers) that I purchased cannot be sealed without being anaerobic my chambers are “Plastic Storages Box w/ Locks” its dimensions are the following: 29cm by 17.5 cm by 12.5 cm. The company that produced them is Truestyle. Currently my only solution to this problem is to place my chamber in a low altitude atmosphere possibly a big cooler and placing dry ice with it. My idea is based on the notion that the carbon dioxide will “push” out the oxygen and giving me an anaerobic conditioning.
However, this leads me to problem #2, will the carbon dioxide kill my bacteria??? I have tried looking at websites with information about the bacterium Shewanella Frigidmarina but most websites are completely over my head and have next to no information about the bacterium. Please help me by translating what any website you have to offer me (which will be taken with gratitude) into a language I can understand. I would post websites but as I hinted I have no idea what the information is about.
Thus, I solicit any and all who are willing to tell me if carbon dioxide will kill by bacteria Shewanella Frigidmarina, and other information that you think is vital or that I should know.
P.S. In case you need more information about my experiment look at a very rough overview. Oh and by the way if you do happen to read my overview and say along the way “What is this kid talking about?” please feel free to correct my mistakes. I deeply Thank any and all who help me