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Probing single- to multi-cell level charge transport in Geobacter sulfurreducens DL-1

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaocheng Jiang

    (Harvard University)

  • Jinsong Hu

    (CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Emily R. Petersen

    (Nova Research, Inc.)

  • Lisa A. Fitzgerald

    (US Naval Research Laboratory)

  • Charles S. Jackan

    (Harvard University)

  • Alexander M. Lieber

    (Harvard University)

  • Bradley R. Ringeisen

    (US Naval Research Laboratory)

  • Charles M. Lieber

    (Harvard University
    School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University)

  • Justin C. Biffinger

    (US Naval Research Laboratory)

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells, in which living microorganisms convert chemical energy into electricity, represent a potentially sustainable energy technology for the future. Here we report the single-bacterium level current measurements of Geobacter sulfurreducens DL-1 to elucidate the fundamental limits and factors determining maximum power output from a microbial fuel cell. Quantized stepwise current outputs of 92(±33) and 196(±20) fA are generated from microelectrode arrays confined in isolated wells. Simultaneous cell imaging/tracking and current recording reveals that the current steps are directly correlated with the contact of one or two cells with the electrodes. This work establishes the amount of current generated by an individual Geobacter cell in the absence of a biofilm and highlights the potential upper limit of microbial fuel cell performance for Geobacter in thin biofilms.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaocheng Jiang & Jinsong Hu & Emily R. Petersen & Lisa A. Fitzgerald & Charles S. Jackan & Alexander M. Lieber & Bradley R. Ringeisen & Charles M. Lieber & Justin C. Biffinger, 2013. "Probing single- to multi-cell level charge transport in Geobacter sulfurreducens DL-1," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3751
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3751
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    Cited by:

    1. Khan, M.Z. & Nizami, A.S. & Rehan, M. & Ouda, O.K.M. & Sultana, S. & Ismail, I.M. & Shahzad, K., 2017. "Microbial electrolysis cells for hydrogen production and urban wastewater treatment: A case study of Saudi Arabia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 410-420.
    2. Kumar, Ravinder & Singh, Lakhveer & Zularisam, A.W., 2016. "Exoelectrogens: Recent advances in molecular drivers involved in extracellular electron transfer and strategies used to improve it for microbial fuel cell applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 1322-1336.
    3. Pilar C. Portela & Catharine C. Shipps & Cong Shen & Vishok Srikanth & Carlos A. Salgueiro & Nikhil S. Malvankar, 2024. "Widespread extracellular electron transfer pathways for charging microbial cytochrome OmcS nanowires via periplasmic cytochromes PpcABCDE," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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