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Brandão, Daniel Simões; Pearson-Young, Cosmo

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology offering a low-cost, sustainable option for generating renewable energy from organic matter and efficient wastewater treatment. While MFCs have been well studied, those powered by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as baker’s yeast, remain less explored, especially regarding accurate predictive modelling of their electrical output. This study investigated the voltage produced by MFCs comprised of baker’s yeast, sugar, and graphite rods and developed a mathematical model of the voltage over time. The voltage output of an MFC was recorded over time using various concentrations of yeast and sugar. To interpret the behaviour of the system, several mathematical models were combined, including Monod kinetics and ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for yeast growth and sugar depletion. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the uncertainty and to account for biological variability and electrical noise in the system. The combined experimental and modelling results confirmed that yeast MFCs can reliably sustain a low voltage and that the voltage over time produced by them can be effectively modelled using a system of biological and electrochemical equations. This approach provides insight into the properties and viability of yeast-based MFCs.

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University of British Columbia. Science One Research Projects; University of British Columbia. SCIE_V 001

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0449059

Science, Faculty of

Undergraduate

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