This project tries to invent or investigate microbial fuel cells (MFCs) that harvests electrical energy from mud, sediment or soil in farm, field or pool that primary usage is for agriculture, aquaculture or forestry.
Why not solar panels? Solar panels may have better power output per area than MFCs. But they need dedicated area that may hide sun light for plants. MFCs may be inserted into soil. And MFC itself is battery.
I think that graphite felt or even homemade activated charcoal are expensive (or hard to manufacture) for electrodes. I could use cheaper off-the-shelf steel wool. It possible to use it for electrodes. And I should add micro algae into cathode too. It should increase power. I could buy chlorella or micro algae from e-commerce stores in Thailand (mostly sell to moina breeder).
For proof of concept. I conducted experiment for mud MFC with graphite felt electrods for few weeks. Open circuit voltage is about 0.14 volts. No closed circuit current. Next step is to find new electrode material should be cheaper.
Chlorella Vugaris is one of the best micro algae, also micro algae done like TOO MUCH light, like direct light. check amazon you can buy live samples. I am making a large Fuel cell powered by micro algae and also anearobic bacteria.
The metal used for the electrodes is probably the single most important part. You will need Zinc for Anode and Copper for a cathode. Steel is not very reactive and will be worthless for producing power ( however in projects like electrolysis they can be used because the power is forced). Pennies are copper coated zinc. you can sand off the copper to get to the zinc and make cathodes and anodes from those for" pennies on the dollar"
Chlorella Vugaris is one of the best micro algae, also micro algae done like TOO MUCH light, like direct light. check amazon you can buy live samples. I am making a large Fuel cell powered by micro algae and also anearobic bacteria.