Alternative Energy

If you remember your high school science lessons, you probably have an idea about how expensive producing hydrogen can be for producing water the unconventional way. Consider that cost and add the amount of electrical energy required to produce the same and I don’t have to tell you the final outcome will not be worth it!

This is where Bruce E. Logan, professor of environmental engineering at Penn steps in with his ideas to produce hydrogen from StateMicrobial fuel cells through the natural processes rather than using the current methods in use of converting it to ethanol which is overly expensive by any standard.  

According to Logan, “the use of microbial fuel cells run on cellulose to produce the hydrogen from natural processes rather than converting it to ethanol, a costly endeavour. By using bacteria in a microbial cell with acetic acid (vinegar), a common acid produced by the fermentation of cellulose or glucose, electricity, about 0.3 volts worth, was produced. The bacteria consumed the acid, releasing electrons and protons which were captured by a cathode and annode rig, which allowed for current.” When they added 0.2 volts into the mix, hydrogen gas was produced.

Admittedly the amounts produced were very small, but the efficiencies here are large and they are quick to point out that “this process produces 288 percent more energy in hydrogen than the electrical energy that is added to the process.”