Bioelectricity from Compost Piles

Source: PhotoCase.de

“Electrical Bacteria” turns sugars, compost and sludge into energy

That bacteria at a metabolic level could transform an electron stream into energy has been known for some time. However, the electricity yield was too low to be useful.

Now a programme at the University of Greifswald, Germany has discovered a way to “wire” the microorganisms to dramatically increase the electrical yield. “Our new bio-energy fuel cell delivers continual current of 1.5 mA per square centimeter” says Uwe Schröder from the Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry.

In addition to the pervious use of sugars as a nutrient source of electrical current, vegetable refuse from a compost pile can now be harnessed to add another source of nourishment. The process is similar to a classic battery where anode and cathodes cavities are separated from one another through a diaphragm. The bacteria and nutrients are pumped into the anode space where electrodes are removed by the bacteria. The separated cathodes can then act as a circuit and the electrodes begin to flow, thus producing an electric current.

Source: www.welt.de (German)