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Title: A Long-Lasting Microliter-Scale Microbial Biobattery Using Solid-State Ionics
We report a microliter-scale bacteria-powered biobattery providing a long-term operational capability for potentially powering unattended wireless sensor networks. In a 20μL-chamber, the biobattery contained a horizontally arranged anode/salt-bridge/cathode configuration with solid-state agar electrolytes. A slow release of bacterial nutrients from a synthetic solid anolyte enabled a continuous current generation (> 6μA/cm2) over 8 days while a liquid-based anolyte was completely depleted within 4 hours. Given that wireless sensors require an ultra-low power intermittently, our micro-biobattery can be practically used for more than a month without human intervention. Agar-based catholyte and salt bridge further enhanced the device lifespan and ensured its practical feasibility as a power source for wireless sensors. The device was sealed with a gas-permeable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane to facilitate gas exchange to the bacteria and cathodic reactions, even ideally allowing for replenishing bacterial nutrients from environments for self-sustainable energy harvesting. Our device used Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to produce a maximum power density of 4μW/cm2 and current density 45μA/cm2 after 96 hours (day 4), which will be enough power for small-power applications.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1703394
PAR ID:
10106014
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
18th International Conference on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications (PowerMEMS 2018)
Page Range / eLocation ID:
T5A-01
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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