As part of a collaborative workshop with the Department of Biomedical and Health Engineering at TGM in Vienna, Biofaction brought innovative bioenergy technologies directly into the classroom. The focus of the workshop was on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) — biological systems capable of generating electricity through the metabolic activity of microorganisms. The activity was supported by the EU funded project Mi-Hy and supports the MFC competition MudTronics.
Together with three classes of fourth-year students, participants built functioning microbial fuel cells using carbon fiber electrodes, nutrient media, and anaerobic bacteria collected from Danube river sediment. Through this hands-on approach, students explored both the technical foundations of bioelectrical systems and the broader potential of sustainable energy technologies.
One particularly exciting aspect of the workshop was the combination of multiple fuel cells in series to increase voltage output. The generated electricity was ultimately sufficient to power a small weather station — demonstrating in a tangible way how biological processes can be harnessed for energy production.
The workshop combined biotechnology, sustainability, and practical experimentation, giving students direct insight into how innovation emerges at the intersection of biology and engineering.
We would like to thank TGM for the excellent collaboration and look forward to future joint projects in the fields of bioinnovation and emerging technologies.
👉 Read the original TGM article here:
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