Bug Energy- Study of Output of Bacterial Fuel Cells in Weightlessness (BugNRG)
Research Area: Student-Developed Investigations
Expedition(s): 9
Principal Investigator: ● Sebastian de Vet, Technical University of Delft, Netherlands
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Bug Energy-Study of Output of Bacterial Fuel Cells in Weightlessness (BugNRG) experiment
studies the influences of weightlessness on the output of bacterial fuel cells, using the
Rhodoferax ferrireducens
strain. The aim of the set-
up is to acquire precision
data of the output during
a total drain of a fuel cell
in weightlessness. This is
the first time that
bacterial fuel cells have
been tested in space.
Currently foreseen
applications are very
promising for spaceflight
and include waste
disposal on human
spaceflight missions.
RESULTS
Due to differences in
magnitude of the output
the data had to be normalized and cumulatively plotted. In all, it can be concluded that
bacterial fuel cells showed similar phases in the output under different gravitational conditions.
Hence it can be concluded from a biological point of view that bacterial fuel cells do operate in
space.
PUBLICATION(S)
De Vet SJ, Rutgers R. From waste to energy: First experimental bacterial fuel cells onboard the
International Space Station. Microgravity Science and Technology. 2007;19(5-6):225-229. doi:
10.1007/BF02919487.
This investigation is complete and all results are published.
Bacterial Fuel Cells. R. Rutgers, S.J. de Vet image.