Scientists at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst have used a bacterial organism, known as Geobacter...

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Chemistry

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst haveused a bacterial organism, known as Geobacter species, in a fuelcell to generate electricity. Describe, in detail, the principleand process of electrical energy generation from bacterial fuelcell. Also include in the discussion major advantages andlimitations of bacterial fuel cells.

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What is the principle behind a bacterial fuel cell Microbial fuel cells work by allowing bacteria to do what they do best oxidize and reduce organic molecules Bacterial respiration is basically one big redox reaction in which electrons are being moved around Whenever you have moving electrons the potential exists for harnessing an electromotive force to perform useful work A MFC consists of an anode and a cathode separated by a cation specific membrane Microbes at the anode oxidize the organic fuel generating protons which pass through the membrane to the cathode and electrons which pass through the anode to an external circuit to generate a current The trick of course is collecting the electrons released by bacteria as they respire This leads to See Answer

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