Paper-based microbial fuel cell operates without external power

A team of researchers from Iowa State University in Ames have demonstrated a proof-of-concept three dimensional paper-based microbial fuel cell (or MFC) that could take advantage of capillary action in order to guide the liquids through the MFC system and completely get rid of the need for external power.
The paper-based MFC runs for five consecutive days and shows the production of electrical current as a result of biofilm formation on the anode. The system produces 1.3 μW of power and 52.25 μA of current yielding a power density of around 25 W/m3 for the experiment. The results show that the paper-based microbial fuel cells can create power in an environmentally friendly mode without the use of any external power sources. One of the authors says all power created in this device is usable because no electricity is needed to run the fluids through the device. This is crucial in the advancements of these devices and the expansion of their applications.

http://sciencenewsjournal.com/paper-3d-microbial-fuel-cell-operates-without-external-power/