ELECTRICITY GENERATION OF A MICROBIAL FUEL CELL IN SIMULATED LARGE INTESTINE

© ChaolingYu, YufengHan, HongLiu
© Государственный музей истории космонавтики им. К.Э. Циолковского, г. Калуга
Секция "К.Э. Циолковский и проблемы космической медицины и биологии"
2010 г.

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) was proposed to be placed in human large intestine as power supply for implantable medical devices (IMDs). According to the anatomic structure and internal environment of transverse colon, an implantable MFC was developed in simulated large intestine. The MFC was inoculated with simulated large intestinal fluid (SIF) and was operated in fed-batch mode during star-up period. After several replacements of SIF, stable power generation was obtained. In order to investigate the effects of peristalsis in large intestine on electricity generation, the MFC was operated in continues flow. Its performance was monitored by measuring output voltage. Polarization and power density curves were generated at the steady state, which enabled the quantification of apparent internal resistor and maximum power. The MFC performed at high flow-rate which simulated promoting intestinal peristalsis showed variation in power production. Therefore, energy storage devices (such as super capacitors) are required to ensure stable power supply.