Integration of Portable Sedimentary Microbial Fuel Cells in Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

In the present work, sedimentary microbial fuel cells (s-MFC) have been proposed as effective tools to power remote sensors in different aquatic environments, thanks their ability produce renewable and sustainable energy continuously autonomously. The work proposes optimization of cylindrical a compact cost-effective system suitable be integrated payload an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). To this purpose, new AUV payload, named MFC-payload, is designed host s-MFC data acquisition collect store information on voltage produced by cell. Its overall performance was evaluated during two field measurement campaigns carried out Mediterranean Sea. This investigation demonstrates production operation seawater analyzes actual influence environmental conditions output power. study that s-MFCs systems decoupled navigation autonomous vehicle itself, showing effectiveness application MFC-based technology for analysis. All these latter results demonstrate confirm devices electricity modes (i.e., depth speed), while changing pressure, temperature oxygen content) are robust can successfully used underwater applications.