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November 13, 2007

In a microbial electrolysis cell, bacteria break up fermented plant waste to form hydrogen

Researchers have designed a microbial electrolysis cell in which bacteria break up acetic acid (a product of plant waste fermentation) to produce hydrogen gas with a very small electric input from an outside source. Hydrogen can then be used for fuel cells or as a fuel additive in vehicles that now run on natural gas.

Credit: Zina Deretsky, National Science Foundation


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