Design of a microfluidic device for the analysis of biofilm behavior in a microbial fuel cell
Name
881242990-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
3.53 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
5b250e9910ab2b003812df77efba079d
Author(s)
Jones, A-Andrew D., III (Akhenaton-Andrew Dhafir)
Advisor(s)
Cullen R. Buie
Date Issued
2014
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
This thesis presents design, manufacturing, testing, and modeling of a laminar-flow microbial fuel cell. Novel means were developed to use graphite and other bulk-scale materials in a microscale device without loosing any properties of the bulk material. Micro-milling techniques were optimized for use on acrylic to achieve surface roughness averages as low as Ra = 100nm for a 55 [mu]m deep cut. Power densities as high as 0.4mW · m⁻², (28mV at open circuit) in the first ever polarization curve for a laminar-flow microbial fuel cell. A model was developed for biofilm behavior incorporating shear and pore pressure as mechanisms for biofilm loss. The model agrees with experimental observations on fluid flow through biofilms, biofilm structure, and other biofilm loss events.
Description
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2014.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 83-90).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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