Interactive Photo-Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell Simulator

Photo-Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell Simulator

Created By: Ir. MD Nursyazwi

Explore how light intensity, sediment conditions, and external resistance influence the power generated by a PSMFC.

How to Use the Simulator

Welcome to your interactive lab! This simulator lets you experiment with the key factors that affect a Photo-Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell.

1. Set Your Conditions: Use the sliders and dropdown menus in the "Data Input" section to control the simulation. You can adjust the amount of organic matter in the sediment, the water temperature, the external load's resistance, and even the type of microbes in the system.
2. Start the Reaction: Click the Start button to begin the simulation. You will see a visual representation of electrons flowing through the wire and other biological processes occurring within the fuel cell.
3. Watch the Data: As you change the input values, the Data Output section will update in real-time, showing you the resulting voltage, current, and power generated. The Performance Graph will also plot these values, allowing you to see trends over time.
4. Find the Ideal State: Use the Ideal Condition button to instantly set all parameters to their optimal values for maximum power generation. This is a great way to see what an efficient PSMFC looks like!

Have fun experimenting and seeing how each variable affects the system!

Data Input

Controls

Circuit Connection Type Single Resistor Series (3 resistors) Parallel (3 resistors) Combination

Total Equivalent Resistance: 500 Ω

Day/Night Cycle

Night Day Day

Sediment Organic Matter

0% 50% 100%

Water Temperature (°C)

0°C 25°C 50°C

Microbe Type Generic Microbes Geobacter Shewanella

Circuit Load Light Bulb Battery Voltage Meter Current Meter

Simulation

Sediment

Anode

Cathode

Algae / Cyanobacteria Layer

Electrons (e-)

Protons (H+)

Oxygen (O₂)

Data Output

Voltage 0.00 V

Current 0.00 mA

Power 0.00 mW

CO₂ Absorption Rate 0%

O₂ Release Rate 0%

Battery Charge 0%

Performance Graph

This graph shows the real-time changes in the system's output. The Y-axis represents the normalized value (0-100) for all parameters.

Voltage

Current

Power

CO₂ Absorption

O₂ Release

Science Explanations

A Photo-Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell (PSMFC) is a fascinating technology that generates electricity using a combination of natural biological processes. Think of it as a living battery that gets its power from two different sources: the microbes in the soil and the sunlight captured by algae.

The Anode: The Powerhouse

This part of the fuel cell sits in the anaerobic sediment, where there is no oxygen. Here, naturally occurring microbes (like Geobacter) feed on the organic matter in the soil. As they "breathe" and metabolize this food, they perform a special kind of respiration that allows them to transfer electrons (e-) to the anode, a conductive plate submerged in the sediment.

The Cathode: The Electron Acceptor

The cathode is located in the top, oxygen-rich layer of the water. This is where algae or cyanobacteria come into play. Fueled by light, these organisms perform photosynthesis, which produces oxygen (O₂). The oxygen then acts as a final electron acceptor, which is a critical step for the circuit to be complete. Without it, the electrons would have nowhere to go and the flow of electricity would stop.

The Circuit: Making it Work

The electrons released by the microbes at the anode travel through a wire in the external circuit to the cathode. This movement of electrons is what we call an electrical current. The voltage and current that are generated depend on several factors, including the quality of the microbes, the amount of organic matter available, and the resistance of the device you are powering.

Organic Matter + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Electricity

We can calculate the key electrical properties using the principles of Ohm's Law and a simple circuit model. The current (I) is determined by the total resistance in the circuit—the fuel cell's own internal resistance (R_int) and the resistance of the external load (R_ext).

I = V_OC / (R_int + R_ext)

Where V_OC is the Open Circuit Voltage, the maximum potential the cell can achieve. The voltage across your load is then calculated by:

V = I x R_ext

Finally, the power (P) you can extract from the cell is the product of voltage and current:

P = V x I

The simulator adjusts these values in real-time based on the environmental conditions you set, demonstrating how a PSMFC behaves as a dynamic and sustainable power source.

References

This simulator is based on the principles of PSMFC technology. For more detailed scientific information and research, you can refer to academic journals and papers on microbial fuel cells and bio-electrochemical systems.

If you'd like to dive deeper into the science or see how to build your own, here are some great resources:

• Microbial Fuel Cells: A Book for Beginners - An excellent starter guide to the world of microbial fuel cells and their applications.
• Microbial Fuel Cells: Design, Operation, and Applications - A comprehensive guide covering everything from the theoretical foundations to practical designs and real-world applications.
• An Introduction to Microbial Fuel Cells - This book offers a clear and accessible introduction to the technology, explaining the biological and electrochemical processes in detail.
• Microbial Fuel Cells and Bio-electrochemical Systems - A more advanced text that delves into the complex bio-electrochemical interactions within these systems.
• Unearthing Power: A Deep Dive into the Earth Battery - This article explores the science behind earth batteries and how they use the soil to generate a small but measurable electrical current.
• Grounded Power: Can Your Backyard Really Be a Battery? - A blog post that discusses the practicality and potential of creating a simple earth battery at home.

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