Powering a wireless temperature sensor using sediment microbial fuel cells with vertical arrangement of electrodes

The application of wireless sensors is an important approach for monitoring natural water systems in remote locations; however, limited power sources are a key challenge for successful application of these sensors. Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) have shown potential as a sustainable power source with low maintenance requirements to power wireless sensors. This study examines electricity generation in lab-scale SMFCs with the sediment from Lake Michigan. Two SMFCs are operated in parallel with a difference in cathode arrangement (floating cathode vs. bottom cathode). The data show that the SMFC with a floating cathode produces more electricity and results in a shorter charging time when an ultracapacitor is connected to the circuit. To control electricity delivery and voltage elevation to a value that can drive a wireless temperature sensor, a power management system (PMS) is developed. With the PMS, both SMFCs can consistently power the wireless temperature sensor for data transmission to a computer, although the number of recorded data within the same period differs. This research provides an effective PMS for power control and valuable experience in SMFC configurations for the next onsite test of the developed SMFCs in Lake Michigan.

► We investigate two sediment microbial fuel cells for electricity generation.
► Installing the cathode adjacent to water surface increases electricity.
► A power management system is developed to control electric circuit.
► Larger ultracapacitors are more suitable for powering wireless temperature sensor.