Microbial Fuel Cells
Microbes are AMAZING!
Microbial fuel cells use electrons that are freed by bacteria during their own metabolic reactions to generate electricity!
The fuel cells can be purchsed from a variety of vendors depending on where you are located. Essentially students create a mixture of dirt, water and nutrients to help bacteria grow and they layer this innoculum with specially made electrodes, connecting wires to a blinker board.
As the bacteria grow and electrons are freed up, the lights on the blinker board will start to blink! Students can then use the MudWatt app to measure how much power is being generated!
I love having students bring in materials they think will help make the bacteria thrive.
Curriculum Connections
Doing fun stuff is great, but connecting to the mandated curriculum is key. This fits beautifully into the Science 9 Electrical Principles and Technology unit where we discuss various types of electrochemical cells
It also works nicely with alternative energy examples! Here are a couple of Doodle Notes templates I have developed to incorporate these cool devices into student learning.
