Scientists at the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) plan to use advanced microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which generate electricity from the chemical processes of live bacteria, as a long-lasting energy source for an autonomous low-power microrover.
‘The goal is to demonstrate a more efficient and reliable energy source for use in powering small robotic vehicles in environments where the option for human intervention is non-existent,’ said Dr Gregory Scott at NRL’s Spacecraft Engineering Department.
‘Microbial fuel cells coupled with extremely low-power electronics and a low-energy requirement for mobility address gaps in power technology applicable to all robotic systems, especially planetary robotics,’ he added.
MFCs provide long-term durability because the micro-organisms in the fuel cell can reproduce and the bacteria have a high energy density compared with traditional lithium-ion power sources. However, there are still several limitations associated with MFCs — such as their size, weight and power requirements — that the research team is hoping to eliminate.
A portion of the energy generated by the MFC will be used to maintain on-board electronics and control systems, with the remaining energy directed towards slowly charging a battery or capacitor.
When the system has gathered sufficient power from the MFC, it can be discharged to activate a more power-intensive scientific instrument or to propel the rover forward using a novel tumbling or hopping locomotion system.
‘As we move forward in the utilisation of MFCs as an energy-generation method, this research begins to lay the groundwork for low-powered electronics with a long-term potential for space and robotic applications,’ said Scott.
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