A microbial fuel cell (MFC) or biological fuel cell is a bio-electrochemical system that drives a current by using bacteria, and mimicking bacterial interactions found in nature. (2) This assignment focuses on creating a microbiological fuel cell to create and obtain low voltage electricity by using six different sugars (Glucose, Fructose, Sucrose, Maltose, Galactose) and dry yeast as the micro-organism instead of bacteria. To generate electrical energy through oxidation of biodegradable organic
Microbial Fuel Cells use bacteria to convert waste into electrical energy. These bacteria break down almost any biodegradable organic waste including sewage and water waste and use it as fuel to generate power. Places like Penn State University and The Biodesign Institute in Arizona State University are already testing and improving this new alternative energy. According to Penn State University they have achieved in producing 1.5 watts per meter squared of amount of waste water taken in and believe
leading universities in the United States. I strongly believe that a Masters Degree in Biotechnology from your prestigious University will act as a crucial first step in the process of realizing my career objectives. Since school days the terms like cell, genes, DNA, protein intrigued me a lot and helped me in realizing the dream of pursuing a career in Biotechnology field that has been making many remarkable achievements. The passion towards biological sciences made me to take B.TECH in Biotechnology
nations. And the number of cars is increasingly rapidly: in the United States, the automobile population has increased 6X faster than the human population and 2X faster than the number of new drivers (Motavelli, 2000). At the same time, the average fuel economy of the 2001 fleet decreased to 20.4 miles per gallon, the same it was in 1980. This decrease is fueled by the growing trend in inefficient SUVs. As over 50% of the USA’s oil comes from overseas, the dangerous level of waste promoted by inefficient
Fred M. Kimball of Boston with building the first practical electric cars in 1888. Later in the in the decade, William Morrison of Des Moines, Iowa, constructed his version of the electric vehicle in 1891. His vehicle required 24 storage battery cells, took 10 hours to charge, and could run for 13 hours. It could carry up to 12 people and had a 4-horsepower motor. His car could reach speeds up to 14 miles per hour. Morrison, however, never mass-produced his vehicle. The first commercially produced
Hydrogen: Car Power of the Future Abstract Recent years have shown an increasingly large need for a practical renewable energy source for such reasons as diminishing fossil fuels and increases in greenhouse gasses. Hydrogen appears to be a way out of this gasoline-dug hole, or at least, a way out in the future. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are being engineered as we speak as the technologies to refuel them cleanly are being proposed. Unfortunately, most of the technologies associated with hydrogen are still
Fuel of the Future It is obvious that this country has a knack for vast and rapid consumption of oil. Increases in greenhouse gas emissions, global warming threats and surging gas prices are just some of the warning signs. In the last two decades, this country has made great bounds in new, energy efficient technologies that have played a major role in the United States’ energy conservation efforts. “It’s not about turning off the lights or unplugging the refrigerator. It is a story about
of hydrogen is not just the burning of the gas, but of its use in a fuel cell. Fuel cells might be the device that causes the extinction of the internal combustion engine. A fuel cell is a device that produces electricity from a fuel and an oxidizer, a substance that combines with the fuel. The fuel and oxidizer react chemically at two separate electrodes to produce the direct electric current; These cells use hydrogen as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidizer. Hydrogen power could be the silver bullet
gas mileage and reducing the pollutants that regular internal combustion engines expel. While the hybrid car is in high demand at the present time, some people believe these cars are just a quick resolution before bigger and better ideas, such as fuel cell vehicles, begin taking over the automobile industry. Still, the development of the hybrid car has had many effects on today's society and may continue to in the future. When the 1970s rolled around and the oil crisis struck, gas prices rose tremendously
Alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles can one day play an important role in reducing pollution. The prospect of developing more sustainable energy has become very prevalent today as dependence of nonrenewable resources becomes less viable. Alternatives fuel sources include: ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen and electricity. Incorporation of these alternatives into the production vehicles can be beneficial to society. The research and development of hybrid vehicles is a rapidly expanding sector which grows
powered car uses fuel cells to create power. A fuel cell is a device that creates energy by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water. A car powered by fuel cells would create almost no pollution, and have nearly 80% efficiency. The only problem with hydrogen is that it is very hard to store, and store safely. One can imagine the effects an accident could have on a car with a full tank of hydrogen in the back. There are other options for creating hydrogen though. A reformer takes other fuels such a methanol
It is a known fact that technology that is developed in motor sports will eventually trickle down to the automotive industry. However for a long time this has been happening with gas powered technology and safety innovations. Recently, there has been a startup of a new form of motorsports that focuses on Earth’s environmental status. Formula E is one of the ways to spread social and political awareness and interest in electric vehicles. To make the car a sustainable and innovative platform. The goal
Why is water so vital to fire fighting? This one question alone is the purpose for this entire research paper. There are many topics that could be covered, but, let’s highlight some of the most important characteristics of water as a fire suppression agent. The use of water is vital in fire fighting, but let us look deeper into the relationship with regards to fire suppression. If you reflect back to science class in elementary school, you probably remember that the Earth is made up of 71% water
For years, new technology has been, and continues to emerge in society. One aspect that has been affected greatly by it is the environment. There have been many different inventions created in order to help protect our planet, and to help people be more efficient with energy use. An upcoming and improving invention that has become very popular is hybrid cars. The question is not if these cars are more efficient and helpful to our environment, but whether consumers should invest in buying one. Many
applying an electric current to water, the resulting reaction produced both oxygen and hydrogen gases. This discovery eventually gave birth to the concept of the fuel cell. In essence, a fuel cell is no more complex than performing electrolysis in reverse. In 1839, a Swiss chemist, by the name of Christian Schoenbein, performed the first fuel cell experiment wherein he combined oxygen and hydrogen to produce water and a small electric current. Only six short years later, in 1845, Sir William Grove utilized
Introduction “What has become clear from the science is that we cannot burn all of the fossil fuels without creating a very different planet.” -James Hansen . Fuel plays a very significant role in the day to day aspects of life, to an extent where we see it trending as an essential need and a vital source for survival. Defiantly as the quote mentioned previously stands, we cannot consume these limited fuel sources without producing a mutant planet far from what we know of. However, we could rather
national labs, to enhance partnerships in applied research, to develop improved technology for measuring and monitoring gross and net greenhouse gas emissions, and to fund demonstration projects for cutting-edge technologies, such as bioreactors and fuel cells."(5) Potential impacts of technology on a global scale are relatively long-term, the NCCTI is guided over this by the climate change goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992 (Kyoto Protocol), ratified by the
and the recent use of hydraulic fracturing which has caused environmental and social dispute, I chose to undertake the extended project qualification related to this, energy, as chemistry leads these efforts. In my EPQ, I discuss whether hydrogen fuel cells are the future to generating electricity. The project has improved my primary and secondary research skills, beneficial for independent reports, and enhanced my chemistry vocabulary- new definitions such as Fenton’s reagents and super acids. Furthermore
Board, or CARB, started the initial incentive to develop the electric car with its zero-emissions regulations for automakers, but in the end CARB was clearly seen to cave under industry pressure and give their support to the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles instead. The electric car was also challenged by economic factors. Because the EV1 was not being mass-produced, it was never able to benefit from the cost reduction that comes with economies of scale. Because of this, the car was more expensive
There are many companies out there that claim to be “green”. But are they really and how much impact does it have on the environment? Labels such as “organic”, “biodegradable”, “earth-friendly”, vegan and “Fair Trade” are everywhere in today’s market. These labels are marketing tools used to influence consumers. Greenwashing is defined as “The dissemination of misleading information by an organization to conceal its abuse of the environment in order to present a positive public image ” and “superficial