After the enzymes let us gloutons, the energy bacteria! At the Ampere1 laboratory, in Lyon, directed by Laurent Nicolas, of the scientists currently work with the development of a generator of at the very least original current: a microbial fuel cell. Developed for one year by Timothy Vogel and Jean-Michel Monier, this astonishing device has been intended to reduce the cost of the waste processing: by astutely exploiting the properties of the micro-organisms present in the effluents, it could ensure part of the power supply of the stations of purification! Explanations.
To nourish itself, certain bacteria degrade the organic molecules of their environment while releasing from the electrons and the protons. From where the idea often advanced on paper to transfer these particles on electrodes in order to produce electricity on the principle of the fuel cell (CAP) 2. These “biopiles” could then feed from the autonomous or isolated systems: beacons in the mountainous or desert zones, equipment for the international space station and even robots. Problem: the current prototypes have really a too low power.
This is why the Lyons “bioelectronicians” consider for the moment the “microbial CAP” only like one source of auxiliary energy. The device that they developed was thus manufactured for the industry of waste. Intended to be installed in the engines of the stations of purification, it is fed uninterrupted by the domestic effluents. At the time of the launching phase of the “generator”, the bacteria present naturally in mud's come to form a film on the surface of an electrode-anode especially conceived in order to select the most powerful micro-organisms “Electrocution”. Five days later, a current appears at the boundaries of the electric device, of a power from hardly 1 Watt per square meter of anode. This power could nevertheless be sufficient to guarantee a considerable share of the requirements in electricity for an installation for treatment. Indeed, a porous material could be used in order to increase the useful surface area of the anode without yielding too much on the obstruction of the system. Which would offer beautiful economies to the industrialists. The results of the tests carried out on site during the summer will say it.