Power conditioner for microbial fuel cells

An energy conversion and storage system for use with a microbial fuel cell in powering an electrical load wherein the microbial fuel cell produces an output voltage of less than 0.8 VDC, said system comprising:

• a first power converter stage electrically connected to the microbial fuel cell, said first power converter stage including a first integrated converter circuit and a first output storage device with said first integrated converter circuit including a power input for operating power of said first integrated converter circuit wherein said first output storage device is electrically connected to said power input of said first integrated converter circuit to provide operating power to said first integrated converter circuit;
• means for providing operating power to said first integrated converter circuit to allow said first output storage device sufficient charging to provide operating power for said first integrated converter circuit;
• a second power converter stage operably connected to said first output storage device with said second power converter stage including a second integrated converter circuit and a second output storage device;
• a first comparator circuit operable for turning ON said second power converter stage when a first output storage device voltage reaches a first predetermined voltage level and for turning OFF said second power converter stage when said first output storage device voltage drops to a second predetermined voltage level which is less than said first predetermined voltage;
• and
• a second comparator circuit operable to connect said second output storage device to said electrical load when a second output storage device voltage reaches a first predetermined load voltage level and for disconnecting said second output storage device from said electrical load when said second output storage device voltage drops to a second predetermined load voltage level which is less than said first predetermined load voltage level.