Apr 21 2010
On Earth Day, April 22, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) will showcase its microbial fuel cell, which is a device that produces electricity from decomposed marine organisms. The presentation will be held at the Pentagon.
These cells convert marine oxidants and fuels into electrical energy, thereby providing an efficient, reliable and clean alternative to batteries. These cells can be used to power in-water sensors and underwater unmanned vehicles among others.
The microbial fuel cell named as "Top 50 Inventions for 2009," by TIME magazine can help reduce carbon emissions and provide clean energy. Nevin Carr, the Naval Research Chief, commented that microbial fuel cells will not only meet the needs of the navy, but also the general public.
Leonard Tender who is a research chemist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)’s Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering played a key role in developing the microbial fuel cell.
Leonard and his team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts began to investigate microorganisms capable of producing electricity. Their investigation led them to the Potomac River to Geobacter, a microbe that produces electrical energy from wastewater and mud. Navy researchers of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR) Pacific are utilizing devices powered by fuel cells to track green sea turtles.