A paper-based microbial fuel cell: Instant battery for disposable diagnostic devices

We present a microfabricated paper-based microbial fuel cell (MFC) generating a maximum power of 5.5 μW/cm2. The MFC features (1) a paper-based proton exchange membrane by infiltrating sulfonated sodium polystyrene sulfonate and (2) micro-fabricated paper chambers by patterning hydrophobic barriers of photoresist. Once inoculum and catholyte were added to the MFC, a current of 74 μA was generated immediately. This paper-based MFC has the advantages of ease of use, low production cost, and high portability. The voltage produced was increased by 1.9× when two MFC devices were stacked in series, while operating lifetime was significantly enhanced in parallel.