Real-time biocatalyst loading and electron transfer via microfabricated transparent electrode

Abstract

Real-time and simultaneous measurements of bacterial catalyst loading and electron transfer have been accomplished via a microfabricated transparent electrode within the setup of a micro- microbial fuel cell (μMFC [mu MFC]). By characterizing the electron transfer on a per cell basis, we aim to generate a methodology for species-to-species comparison and formulate a baseline for electrode optimizations. This is critical and fundamental knowledge to be explored within the scope of MFCs as power devices with direct implications to molecular cell biology. Preliminary results are presented showing that, using Geobacter sulfurreducens, a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 11 can be achieved upon inoculation and single cells can be non-invasively and accurately identified using intrinsic fluorescence.