An array of microliter-sized microbial fuel cells generating 100 μW of power

We report an array of three microliter-sized microbial fuel cells (MFCs) connected in series. The three MFCs were integrated into a sandwich of two glass slides, incorporating two chambers of 50 mu L volumetric capacity that were separated by a cation exchange membrane (CEM). Each anolyte/catholyte chamber was defined by 500-mu m thick PTEE (polytetrafluoroethylene) gaskets. The MFCs contained a Geobacter-enriched mixed bacterial culture and ferricyanide, which were independently driven into anolyte/catholyte chambers, respectively. The MFC array produced 100 mu W total power (33 mu W/cm(2) or 667 mu W/cm(3)) and 1.8V output voltage, which are approximately 10 times and 4.5 times higher, respectively, than the maximum values of previously reported microliter-sized MFCs. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.