Integrating Renewable Microbial Fuel Cells in Dual In‐Line Package for Chip‐On‐Board Circuits

Abstract

AbstractSingle‐use electrical systems represent the future of multiple fields such as diagnostic medical technologies, environmental studies, and biofuel manufacturing with significant advantages over conventional unrecyclable bulky systems that are partly disposable at best. Single‐use systems require miniaturized bio‐friendly energy sources that meet the recyclability or reusability requirement of the application without creating toxic waste. Herein, a storable, scalable, and single‐use electronics‐compatible bio‐battery that is designed and fabricated using completely reusable and recyclable components is developed. The battery is a dual‐in‐line package microbial fuel cell (DIP‐MFC) that can be activated on demand via the introduction of moisture through the anodic fluid chamber. The battery incorporates dormant bacteria cells on an abiotic stainless steel mesh that serves as the anode that attracts electrons being transferred from the biocatalyst. The DIP‐MFC uses the infestation of bacterial biofilm on a conductive anode to harness electrons and deliver electricity to selected circuit pins. A single DIP‐MFC continuously operates for 140 min with a maximum open circuit voltage of 0.55 V, which can be stacked and connected to match the power requirements of targeted electronics. The DIP nature of the proposed bio‐battery allows for simple integration of the MFC on conventional electronics boards through conductive pins.