Bacterial Electron Transfer in a Microbial Fuel Cell

This simulator renders the anode chamber of a microbial fuel cell: a biofilm of exoelectrogenic bacteria growing on a graphite anode, moving electrons to the electrode either directly through conductive pili ("microbial nanowires") or indirectly via diffusing redox-shuttle molecules. The current those electrons produce follows Nernst–Monod kinetics — a combination of Monod substrate limitation and a Nernst-type dependence on how favourably the anode potential is poised relative to the bacteria's terminal cytochromes. Adjust substrate concentration, anode potential, biofilm density and external load resistance and watch the electron stream — and the resulting current density, cell current and delivered power — respond in real time, while a separate proton stream crosses the membrane to balance charge at the cathode.