Patent ID: 7695834

Claim:
A method for preparing a microbial fuel cell, the method comprising: inoculating an anodic liquid medium in contact with an anode of the microbial fuel cell with one or more types of microorganisms capable of functioning by an exoelectrogenic mechanism; establishing a biofilm of said microorganisms on and/or within said anode along with a substantial absence of planktonic forms of said microorganisms by substantial removal of said planktonic microorganisms during forced flow and recirculation conditions of said anodic liquid medium; and subjecting the microorganisms of the biofilm to a growth stage by incorporating one or more carbon-containing nutritive compounds in the anodic liquid medium during biofilm formation or after biofilm formation on the anode has been established, wherein the anodic liquid medium is contained in an anode chamber and is separated by a cation-selective permeable material from a cathodic liquid medium in contact with a cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are in electrical communication.