Development of IoT-monitored microbial fuel cell-based food waste utilization for electricity generation

Roslan, Muhammad Amirul Aiman (2024) Development of IoT-monitored microbial fuel cell-based food waste utilization for electricity generation. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The research project aims to tackle the issue of effective food waste management by employing microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to turn food waste into electricity. The main goal of the research project is to significantly contribute to waste reduction and the promotion of sustainable energy generation. This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 7, which aims to attain accessible and environmentally friendly energy for everyone. The objective of the study is to utilise starch, a kind of discarded food, as a substrate in the microbial fuel cell (MFC) to produce renewable energy. The depletion of conventional energy sources has intensified the search for sustainable alternatives, and microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for clean energy generation. This project, titled Development of IoT-Monitored Microbial Fuel Cell-Based Food Waste Utilization for Electricity Generation, explores the potential of MFCs to convert food waste into electricity while incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) technology for real time performance monitoring. Potato and rice starch were utilized as microbial substrates to enhance bioelectricity production. Soft carbon graphite felt electrodes were employed for the anode and cathode, while a KCl and agar salt bridge served as the proton exchange membrane. The experimental setup integrated an ESP32 microcontroller and a voltage sensor to monitor system performance, with data transmitted to the Blynk IoT platform. Results demonstrated a voltage range of 54.0 mV to 230 mV, insufficient for standalone IoT operation but providing valuable insights into system optimization. This study highlights the feasibility of coupling microbial fuel cells with IoT for sustainable energy applications and suggests pathways for future improvements in power output and scalability.

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