Abstract: There is provided a biofilm capacitance microbial electrochemical cell (MEC) sensor to measure organic carbon in water and wastewater rapidly and accurately, represented by the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5). The MEC runs at charging (open circuit) and discharging (close circuit) conditions alternately to improve the sensitivity, response time and accuracy. The detectable BOD5 concentrations with the biofilm-capacitance MEC range from 5 to 250 mg/L (R2>0.9). The MEC sensor enables BOD5 measurements at every 2 minutes (1 minute charging and 1 minute discharging), indicating semi-continuous quantification of organic carbon in water and wastewater.

Abstract: There is provided a biofilm capacitance microbial electrochemical cell (MEC) sensor to measure organic carbon in water and wastewater rapidly and accurately, represented by the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5). The MEC runs at charging (open circuit) and discharging (close circuit) conditions alternately to improve the sensitivity, response time and accuracy. The detectable BOD5 concentrations with the biofilm-capacitance MEC range from 5 to 250 mg/L (R2>0.9). The MEC sensor enables BOD5 measurements at every 2 minutes (1 minute charging and 1 minute discharging), indicating semi-continuous quantification of organic carbon in water and wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process that helps alleviate the pH gradient between anode and cathode compartments in any biological fuel cell or electrolytic cell configuration in which a pH gradient between anode and cathode is limiting the voltage efficiency. By providing acid to the cathode compartment in the form of CO2, the pH gradient is reduced and voltage efficiency and power output are increased. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide produced in the anode chamber is recycled to the cathode chamber.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes an anode portion having an anode and a cathode portion having a cathode. The anode is configured to support an electrically conductive biofilm matrix. A cation exchange membrane is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The anode portion and the cation exchange membrane define an anode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive an anolyte. The cathode portion and the cation exchange membrane define a cathode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive a catholyte. The microbial fuel cell is configured to achieve a Coulombic efficiency of at least 30% and/or a power density of at least of 4.7 ?W/cm2. The microbial fuel cell is a microelectromechanical system and can be fabricated in an automated production process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dehalogenating organohalides are disclosed. In one respect, the systems can generate hydrogen in an electrolysis cell and supply the hydrogen to anaerobic dehalogenating bacteria to decontaminate organohalides at a contamination site.

Abstract: System and methods for efficiently capturing hydrogen gas from a microbial electrolytic cell. Certain aspects of the invention describe microbial electrolytic cells in which the cathode is located above the anode and proximal to a fluid level and a gas headspace in the single-chamber microbial electrolytic cell. In other aspects, the invention relates to improved and high volumetric production rate of hydrogen gas effected by increasing the geometric surface area of the electrodes. Combinations of these aspects also are contemplated.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes an anode portion having an anode and a cathode portion having a cathode. The anode is configured to support an electrically conductive biofilm matrix. A cation exchange membrane is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The anode portion and the cation exchange membrane define an anode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive an anolyte. The cathode portion and the cation exchange membrane define a cathode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive a catholyte. The microbial fuel cell is configured to achieve a Coulombic efficiency of at least 30% and/or a power density of at least of 4.7 ?W/cm2. The microbial fuel cell is a microelectromechanical system and can be fabricated in an automated production process.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process that helps alleviate the pH gradient between anode and cathode compartments in any biological fuel cell or electrolytic cell configuration in which a pH gradient between anode and cathode is limiting the voltage efficiency. By providing acid to the cathode compartment in the form of CO2, the pH gradient is reduced and voltage efficiency and power output are increased. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide produced in the anode chamber is recycled to the cathode chamber.