Self-burying sediment energy harvester

摘要

A self-burying microbial fuel cell can include a housing with conductive elements. An anode and cathode can be integrated into the housing at respective proximal and distal ends. A self-burying means for partially burying the microbial fuel cell in a submerged environment is included, so that the anode is buried but the cathode is exposed to the submerged environment can be included. The self-burying means can include omni-directional vibrating device located within the housing, a plurality of intake ports formed in the housing for a pump within the housing. The pump outputs into a longitudinal fluid conduit that extends through the housing and exits at the distal end of the housing. When the vibrating device activates at the same time as the pump, temporary slurry can be formed at the extreme distal end of the device, and the vibrating action causes the microbial fuel cell to become partially buried.

主权项

1. A microbial fuel cell comprising:
a housing with conductive elements having a proximal end and a distal end; an anode integrated into said housing at said distal end; a cathode integrated into said housing at said proximal end; an omni-directional vibrating device located within said housing; a plurality of intake ports formed in said housing between said proximal end and said distal end; a pump in fluid communication with said plurality of intake ports; a longitudinal fluid conduit in fluid communication with said pump, said longitudinal fluid conduit extending through said distal end of said housing; and, said vibrating device, said pump, said plurality of intake ports and said longitudinal fluid conduit cooperating to bury said microbial fuel cell in a submerged environment, so that said anode is buried and said cathode is exposed to said submerged environment.