Custom measuring system tailored for MFCs

This paper focuses on microbial fuel cell (MFC) waste valorization, electricity generation and practical applications. A custom electronic analyzer dedicated to MFCs is presented. The measuring system allows to set up a complete electrical characterization of a microbial fuel cell, useful to facilitate and accurately analyze the charge and discharge phase of an MFC. Moreover, it allows power performance analysis and measurement of any kind of MFC typology, using a custom software, which automatically sets up a series of tests over a long period of time. Electronics design and a flow diagram of the measuring instrument project are provided. MFCs are a zero-emission energy harvesting technology: a bioreactor that converts energy stored in chemical bonds of organic compounds into electrical energy. Due to these properties, MFCs could be useful to a wide range of applications in the context of bio-reactions, bio-remediation or bio-sensing.