Bioenergy & Self Sustainable Systems
The Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)is a technology that can directly convert organic waste into electricity. The Bioenergy and Self Sustainable Systems Theme is all about bringing this technology to the real world and making the utilisation of waste into energy a reality. Furthermore, being able to generate electricity from naturally occurring biomass, gives robots a novel degree of autonomy that allows their prolonged operation in environments that are inaccessible or even lethal to human beings.
Project overview
An in-depth look into the theory and vision behind the ongoing work into energy autonomy.
Microbial fuel cell research projects
EcoBot IA sugar powered autonomous robot. |
EcoBot IIA robot powered on a diet of flies. |
EcoBot IIIA robot with fluid circulation. |
EcoBot IVMiniaturisation and Multiplication. |
Self Sustainable Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cells |
Waste and wastewater clean-up using Microbial Fuel Cells |
Scale-up of MFC's for wastewater treatmentMFC system capable of long-term use in a water-treatment plant. |
Microbial fuel cell stacksDevelopment of MFC stacks for powering low energy applications. |
Artificial gills for robotsMFC power generation underwater. |
Urine-tricityProducing Electricity from Urine |
MFCs for Carbon CapturePhoto-Biologically Driven CO2 Reduction & Energy Generation |
A Robot that DecomposesTowards Biodegradable Robotic Organisms |
Cathode efficiencyThe choice of the metal catalyst at the MFC cathode. |
Theme Leader
- Dr Ioannis
Ieropoulos
Tel: +44 (0) 117 32 86318
Tel: +44 (0) 117 32 86322
Project people
- Professor John Greenman
- Professor Chris Melhuish (Bristol Robotics Laboratory Director)
- Dr Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Mr Ian Horsfield
Sponsors and Collaborators
Visit the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Website
Visit the Great Western Research Website
Visit the Laboratoire Ampère website.
Visit the Leverhulme Trust Website
Visit the SUPERGEN Biological Fuel Cells Website
Page last updated 26 March 2013