A paper-based microbial fuel cell: Instant battery for disposable diagnostic devices

We present a microfabricated paper-based microbial fuel cell (MFC) generating a maximum power of 5.5 mu W/cm(2). The MFC features (1) a paper-based proton exchange membrane by infiltrating sulfonated sodium polystyrene sulfonate and (2) micro-fabricated paper chambers by patterning hydrophobic barriers of photoresist Once inoculum and catholyte were added to the MFC, a current of 74 mu A was generated immediately. This paper-based MFC has the advantages of ease of use, low production cost, and high portability. The voltage produced was increased by 1.9 x when two MFC devices were stacked in series, while operating lifetime was significantly enhanced in parallel. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.