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Bringing Down the Cost of Microbial Fuel Cells

Science Daily -- Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) have identified a catalyst that provides the same level of efficiency in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as the currently used platinum catalyst, but at 5% of the cost.

Since more than 60% of the investment in making microbial fuel cells is the cost of platinum, the discovery may lead to much more affordable energy conversion and storage devices.

The material -- nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods -- also has the potential to replace the platinum catalyst used in hydrogen-producing microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), which use organic matter to generate a possible alternative to fossil fuels.

"Fuel cells are capable of directly converting fuel into electricity," says UWM Professor Junhong Chen, who created the nanorods and is te

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Submitted Jun 26, 2012 By: GasPasserAB

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Blismo Champion Author Arizona Posts:2,124 Points:401,310 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:42:21 PM Ignore Blismo Report Abuse soon
A2J Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,065 Points:600,900 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 8:52:19 PM Ignore A2J Report Abuse For future
Galmar352 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:10,158 Points:1,882,625 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 2:05:30 PM Ignore Galmar352 Report Abuse I will believe it, and rejoice, when i see it in practice...
Agarre Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,335 Points:263,785 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 1:29:56 PM Ignore Agarre Report Abuse how soon ?
BudsterMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:3,690 Points:699,930 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 11:15:32 AM Ignore BudsterMO Report Abuse Coming soon, coming soon, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
fowlcan Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,095 Points:680,590 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:47:17 AM Ignore fowlcan Report Abuse Well this might work eventually!
dlzastera Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,490 Points:1,019,345 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:46:38 AM Ignore dlzastera Report Abuse Is this the algee fuel Obama was talking about?
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,074 Points:649,855 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:45:30 AM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse This is a good development and we will if it can translate into a market for good and cheap fuel cells. This may be the battery of the future!
scrossi Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,864 Points:1,044,490 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:45:10 AM Ignore scrossi Report Abuse True pathtrack.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,927 Points:2,342,585 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:42:42 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Cheaper fuel cells are good but much cheaper fuel cells are better! Make fuel cells 'dirt cheap' and get the most electrical energy out of the fuel you are 'burning' and get cheaper made fuel cells in EV's and Inbreds. Good for nitrogen-enriched iron carbon nanorods, it outperformed a graphene-based alternative and a platinum contender. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012
ktyson13 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,541 Points:395,275 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:38:46 AM Ignore ktyson13 Report Abuse cool!
JimVP All-Star Author Chicago Posts:627 Points:151,935 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:30:00 AM Ignore JimVP Report Abuse A much more useful fuel source built from waste rather than from food sources like corn.
PathTrack Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,201 Points:134,545 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:27:49 AM Ignore PathTrack Report Abuse That sounds promising
Diesel_Ram Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,482 Points:1,514,460 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:22:11 AM Ignore Diesel_Ram Report Abuse Sounds good.
dan30thz28 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,898 Points:1,978,990 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:17:57 AM Ignore dan30thz28 Report Abuse Hope it works out.
Gassed01 Champion Author Toronto Posts:6,334 Points:1,798,790 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:17:43 AM Ignore Gassed01 Report Abuse Make it marketable.
mikesr11 Champion Author New York City Posts:3,481 Points:676,215 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:17:06 AM Ignore mikesr11 Report Abuse OK
brownsbacker80 All-Star Author Akron Posts:620 Points:454,990 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:16:25 AM Ignore brownsbacker80 Report Abuse Everyone watch out, the post police are out in full force today.
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:14,815 Points:2,598,445 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:13:32 AM Ignore bicycler Report Abuse Good forb them
treehood Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,027 Points:393,045 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:13:04 AM Ignore treehood Report Abuse Another meaningless reply to get 20 points. My apologies to all legitimate, thoughtful posters.
Rick01 Champion Author Utah Posts:8,997 Points:2,358,575 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:10:38 AM Ignore Rick01 Report Abuse Get them done.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:9,652 Points:2,615,630 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:09:41 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) have identified a catalyst that provides the same level of efficiency in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as the currently used platinum catalyst, but at 5% of the cost. OK, lets bring out a working model.. [Edited by: Don20 at 6/26/2012 10:10:00 AM EST]
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,761 Points:1,551,460 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:09:38 AM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse Bring down the cost of everything through technological advancement. Good things happen to life.
IARidgeRunr Champion Author Quad Cities Posts:13,844 Points:3,028,335 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:09:32 AM Ignore IARidgeRunr Report Abuse On Wisconsin, on Wisconsin.....................
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:4,522 Points:818,550 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:07:11 AM Ignore paulp24 Report Abuse cool
mitchells Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,851 Points:1,121,560 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:06:43 AM Ignore mitchells Report Abuse This is how science is supposed to work. Show them a problem, and they find a cheaper better way to a solution, without the government stepping in and mandating that all fuel cells must be platinum based. Same thing with biofuels. Instead of mandating corn-based ethanol, simply say they want an alternative, and industry on their own will find the cheapest, best solution
pastorpaulcg Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,615 Points:775,785 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:06:17 AM Ignore pastorpaulcg Report Abuse Bringing down costs is usually a good thing
lonewolfhead Champion Author Texas Posts:1,637 Points:558,160 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:05:27 AM Ignore lonewolfhead Report Abuse ok
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,716 Points:1,712,970 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:04:55 AM Ignore lindact Report Abuse Keep the R & D coming...
sit Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,185 Points:1,928,945 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:04:48 AM Ignore sit Report Abuse OK
Hangnail309 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:6,004 Points:1,673,180 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:04:19 AM Ignore Hangnail309 Report Abuse Keep the research moving forward ...
Ethan777OH Veteran Author Ohio Posts:270 Points:25,720 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:03:17 AM Ignore Ethan777OH Report Abuse ok
jerrylb81 Champion Author Texas Posts:12,761 Points:2,494,410 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:00:47 AM Ignore jerrylb81 Report Abuse 100
AcuraTSX Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,478 Points:2,179,205 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 10:00:44 AM Ignore AcuraTSX Report Abuse Ok
mackconsult Champion Author Portland Posts:5,304 Points:864,030 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:59:29 AM Ignore mackconsult Report Abuse Time will tell
JCI46009IN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,129 Points:439,570 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:58:40 AM Ignore JCI46009IN Report Abuse Research is always important! Keep it up
memo81 Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,333 Points:441,575 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:57:47 AM Ignore memo81 Report Abuse Keep up the research.
mysub Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:8,891 Points:2,326,465 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:57:37 AM Ignore mysub Report Abuse Still has a long ways to go.
manbig13 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,431 Points:556,725 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:57:17 AM Ignore manbig13 Report Abuse keep working, I'm waiting!
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:7,873 Points:2,095,330 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:56:26 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse Keep up the research.
WebGabe Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,349 Points:492,620 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:55:57 AM Ignore WebGabe Report Abuse Ok.
maske_2222 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:7,422 Points:1,500,005 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:55:14 AM Ignore maske_2222 Report Abuse Interesting......
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,417 Points:1,469,370 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:54:38 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse So many great ideas, so little getting to the market place.
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:26,541 Points:2,898,095 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:53:39 AM Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse The article says: "Since more than 60% of the investment in making microbial fuel cells is the cost of platinum, the discovery may lead to much more affordable energy conversion and storage devices.." --Uhh, OK, but the platinum is a CATALYST. Technically a catalyst lowers the reaction threshold, but is NOT consumed in the reaction. Therefore, the amounts are usually very low, as the material is continually reused. Also, look at the "catalytic converters" on cars. Sure, they contain platinum, but only a couple bucks worth. Unless you recycle a whole lot of them, there's not enough money in them to buy you a dinner at McDonalds.
Jakster All-Star Author Allentown Posts:970 Points:469,565 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:53:09 AM Ignore Jakster Report Abuse This all sounds great in theory. However, can it be done commercially without government funding or tax breaks and be completive in the open market?
putz247 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,281 Points:511,180 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:51:39 AM Ignore putz247 Report Abuse and?
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:10,415 Points:2,003,245 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:50:56 AM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse So, let's all go out and invest in "nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods".
Lenguado Champion Author Orlando Posts:17,672 Points:3,060,040 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:50:52 AM Ignore Lenguado Report Abuse Quick!!! Breed more Obama Unicorns!!!! We need more Skittles for the fuel cells....
ibhenry Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,536 Points:456,445 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:50:40 AM Ignore ibhenry Report Abuse Tons of new technologies, so few in use...
atdinut Champion Author California Posts:1,608 Points:353,010 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:49:16 AM Ignore atdinut Report Abuse I'm all for new technologies, as long as the cost to the consumer is reasonable!