Design of a microfluidic device for the analysis of biofilm behavior in a microbial fuel cell

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.