Researchers in the US have announced the development of a new type of electrically-assisted anaerobic microbial fuel cell. The new technology enables bacteria to produce four times as much hydrogen directly from biomass than would be generated by fermentation alone.
Furthermore, the technique is not limited to using only carbohydrate-based biomass and can produce hydrogen from any biodegradable organic matter.
"While there is likely insufficient waste biomass to sustain a global hydrogen economy, this form of renewable energy production may help offset the substantial costs of wastewater treatment as well as provide a contribution to nations able to harness hydrogen as an energy source," said Bruce Logan, a professor at Pennsylvania State University who led the study.
Hydrogen production by bacterial fermentation is currently limited but by giving the bacteria a small boost with electricity enables them to pass the so-called fermentation barrier and convert a the fermentation product, acetic acid, into carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
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