Biofilm and nanowire production leads to increased current in Geobacter sulfurreducens fuel cells.

TitleBiofilm and nanowire production leads to increased current in Geobacter sulfurreducens fuel cells.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsReguera G, Nevin KP, Nicoll JS, Covalla SF, Woodard TL, Lovley DR
JournalAppl Environ Microbiol
Volume72
Issue11
Pagination7345-8
Date Published2006 Nov
ISSN0099-2240
KeywordsAcetates, Bioelectric Energy Sources, Biofilms, Electricity, Electrodes, Electron Transport, Fimbriae, Bacterial, Geobacter, Microscopy, Confocal, Mutation, Nanowires
Abstract

Geobacter sulfurreducens developed highly structured, multilayer biofilms on the anode surface of a microbial fuel cell converting acetate to electricity. Cells at a distance from the anode remained viable, and there was no decrease in the efficiency of current production as the thickness of the biofilm increased. Genetic studies demonstrated that efficient electron transfer through the biofilm required the presence of electrically conductive pili. These pili may represent an electronic network permeating the biofilm that can promote long-range electrical transfer in an energy-efficient manner, increasing electricity production more than 10-fold.

DOI10.1128/AEM.01444-06
Alternate JournalAppl. Environ. Microbiol.
PubMed ID16936064