# US 10,374,235 B2 · System and method for improving power production in linear array benthic microbial fuel cells

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- Number: US 10,374,235 B2
- Document ID: US10374235B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/716,433
- Filed: 2017-09-26
- Published: 2018-04-05
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-10-03
- Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
- Applicants: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
- Inventors: David B. Chadwick; Yolanda Meriah Arias-Thode; Andrew Higier; Lewis Hsu; Kenneth E. Richter; Alex G. Phipps; Gregory W. Anderson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10374235B2

## CPC

- H01M 4/8657: {layered}
- H01M 4/88: Processes of manufacture
- H01M 4/96: Carbon-based electrodes
- H01M 8/004: {Cylindrical, tubular or wound}
- H01M 8/0206: Metals or alloys
- H01M 8/08: Fuel cells with aqueous electrolytes
- H01M 8/16: Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
- H01M 2250/10: Fuel cells in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
- Y02B 90/10: Applications of fuel cells in buildings
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A method for improving power production comprising the steps of providing an existing linear array benthic microbial fuel cell system having an anode and a plurality of cathodes, wherein the anode is an insulated underwater cable buried beneath seafloor sediment, and wherein the plurality of cathodes are configured to be buoyant and to rise above the sea floor, wrapping the insulated underwater cable with carbon fiber bundles and a current collector, wherein the carbon fiber is coated with a binder, securing the carbon fiber bundles and current collector with a web of synthetic fiber, fraying the carbon fiber bundles, creating exposed carbon ends on the cable and removing the binder.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for improving power production comprising:
a linear array benthic microbial fuel cell system having an anode and a plurality of cathodes, wherein the anode is an insulated underwater cable buried beneath seafloor sediment, and wherein a plurality of sensors are connected by and separated by the cable, and wherein the plurality of cathodes are configured to be buoyant and to rise above the sea floor, and wherein a plurality of electronics modules are electrically coupled to the plurality of cathodes;
wherein the insulated underwater cable comprises an insulated wire bundle covered with an inner layer of carbon yarn, the inner layer of carbon yarn covered by a titanium wire mesh, the titanium wire mesh then covered by an outer layer of carbon yarn, the outer layer of carbon yarn held in place by a web of synthetic filament.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wire bundle is an insulated Copper wire bundle.