MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS FOR TEACHING BIOELECTRICITY, ELECTRON TRANSFER AND ACTIVITY MICROBIAL

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are devices that allow simultaneously the biotreatment of waste and the biogeneration of electrical energy through the action of microorganisms. Considering the current energy crisis and the need to address alternative forms of energy generation - which can be facilitated by the use of teaching resources -, this work proposes the use of MFC for teaching bioelectricity and microbiology. Through this approach, topics such as microbial ubiquity, soil microbiology, cellular respiration, bioelectricity generation and electron transfer in microbiology can be addressed and developed. Thus, the work allowed to conclude that practical experiments with MFC have potential to be used as a relevant didactic resource for teaching and discussion microbiology.