Patent ID: 8304120

Claim:
A microbial fuel cell comprising: a cell housing defining first and second chambers, the first chamber being adapted for containing a fluid including a biomass, the second chamber being adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid; a cathode extending into the cell housing second chamber; and at least one electrode assembly extending into the cell housing first chamber, each electrode assembly having a plurality of substantially aligned electrically conductive fibers, each of the fibers extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface, the electrode assembly including an anode segment extending from the first end of the fibers to an intermediate region disposed between the first and second ends of the fibers, at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment being adapted for receiving a biofilm, and a bound segment extending from the second end of the fibers to the intermediate region, the outer surfaces of the fibers of the bound segment being impregnated or encased with a binder, an electrically conductive tubular member enveloping the fibers of the bound segment.