Living Architecture: Toward Energy Generating Buildings Powered by Microbial Fuel Cells
Living Architecture: Toward Energy Generating Buildings Powered by Microbial Fuel Cells
In this study, possibilities of integrating microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology and buildings were investigated. Three kinds of conventional house bricks from two different locations were tested as MFC reactors and their electrochemical characteristics were analysed. European standard off-the-shelf house bricks generated a maximum power of 1.2 mW (13.5 mW m−2) when fed with human urine. Ugandan house air bricks produced a maximum power of 2.7 mW (32.8 mW m−2), again with human urine. Different cathode types made by surface modifications using two kinds of carbon compounds and two PTFE based binders were tested in both wet and dry cathode conditions. The effects of both anode and cathode sizes, electrode connection, electrode configuration, and feedstock on brick MFC power generation were also studied. Water absorption test results showed higher porosity for the Ugandan air bricks than European engineering bricks, which contributed to its higher performance. This study suggests that the idea of converting existing and future buildings to micro-power stations and micro-treatment plants with the help of integrated MFCs and other renewable technologies is achievable, which will be a step closer to a truly sustainable life.
microbial fuel cell (MFC), living architecture, building brick, nearly zero-energy building, self-sustainable system
You, Jiseon
1442df08-0ea4-4134-b6be-6b773b05f58d
Rimbu, Gimi A.
5222c7e4-2a83-4076-b899-6b26c75e0292
Wallis, Lauren
b8ddd4dc-20f2-4658-bc59-291104329129
Greenman, John
eb3d9b82-7cac-4442-9301-f34884ae4a16
Ieropoulos, Ioannis
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13
12 September 2019
You, Jiseon
1442df08-0ea4-4134-b6be-6b773b05f58d
Rimbu, Gimi A.
5222c7e4-2a83-4076-b899-6b26c75e0292
Wallis, Lauren
b8ddd4dc-20f2-4658-bc59-291104329129
Greenman, John
eb3d9b82-7cac-4442-9301-f34884ae4a16
Ieropoulos, Ioannis
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13
You, Jiseon, Rimbu, Gimi A., Wallis, Lauren, Greenman, John and Ieropoulos, Ioannis
(2019)
Living Architecture: Toward Energy Generating Buildings Powered by Microbial Fuel Cells.
Frontiers in Energy Research, 7.
(doi:10.3389/fenrg.2019.00094).
Abstract
In this study, possibilities of integrating microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology and buildings were investigated. Three kinds of conventional house bricks from two different locations were tested as MFC reactors and their electrochemical characteristics were analysed. European standard off-the-shelf house bricks generated a maximum power of 1.2 mW (13.5 mW m−2) when fed with human urine. Ugandan house air bricks produced a maximum power of 2.7 mW (32.8 mW m−2), again with human urine. Different cathode types made by surface modifications using two kinds of carbon compounds and two PTFE based binders were tested in both wet and dry cathode conditions. The effects of both anode and cathode sizes, electrode connection, electrode configuration, and feedstock on brick MFC power generation were also studied. Water absorption test results showed higher porosity for the Ugandan air bricks than European engineering bricks, which contributed to its higher performance. This study suggests that the idea of converting existing and future buildings to micro-power stations and micro-treatment plants with the help of integrated MFCs and other renewable technologies is achievable, which will be a step closer to a truly sustainable life.
Text
fenrg-07-00094
- Version of Record
More information
Published date: 12 September 2019
Keywords:
microbial fuel cell (MFC), living architecture, building brick, nearly zero-energy building, self-sustainable system
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 456228
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/456228
ISSN: 2296-598X
PURE UUID: 28136733-937f-4105-8d59-86500de655e1
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 26 Apr 2022 19:10
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 04:10
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Jiseon You
Author:
Gimi A. Rimbu
Author:
Lauren Wallis
Author:
John Greenman
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
