Output details
34 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
University of the West of England, Bristol
Comparing Terracotta and Earthenware for multiple functionalities in microbial fuel cells
This published co-authored article contributes to the design and development of microbial fuel cells (MFC), an emerging new technology with potential industrial applications. This research is significant for biosystems engineering, as a previously high maintenance half-cell was shown to be virtually self-sufficient.
Although the potential of commercially available ceramic materials for the inexpensive construction of MFCs has been demonstrated, little comparison of the effectiveness of different types of clay exists. This study for the first time focused on using earthenware and terracotta for both the MFCs’ structural frame and the ion exchange membrane. A number of test MFCs were constructed from both clays to examine the effect of membrane thickness, and the impact of cylindrical shape on the performance and cathode hydration regime, as well as the impact of plate thickness on functionality. Huson’s individual contribution was to provide an understanding of the properties of the ceramic bodies for the MFCs’ construction.
Although in initial results earthenware MFCs were less effective, over the whole test period cylindrical earthenware MFCs were the more efficient for higher current output. The test MFCs modified previous findings on the impact of ceramic wall thickness, suggesting that this was not crucial after six weeks and over time did not impede performance. A continuous form of cathode hydration initially proved most effective, but crucially after three weeks MFCs of all thicknesses were more stable and could sustain longer periods of power production without maintenance.
Also demonstrated was the importance of further research into the elemental make-up of the clay, preparatory conditions and additional treatments and that an understanding of the temporal changes occurring within the ceramic structure whilst operating as the medium for ion exchange could prove invaluable for progressing MFC technology.
