Recent Research- Microbial fuel cells

A microbial fuel cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy with help of microorganisms. Food waste has the potential to generate electricity under controlled conditions. An investigation has carried out to determine the efficiency of electricity generation from food waste, specifically rice water. The experimental setup consists of an anode and cathode chamber separated by a semi-permeable membrane. Copper and zinc were selected as electrodes for the study. Electrodes in the form of plates and wires have been used. Microbes in the anode compartment oxidize the organic matter and generate electrons and protons. Electrons thus produced will move towards the cathode chamber forming a circuit, and thus flow of electrons occurs. An electric potential of 2.4 V was obtained during the studies. Further studies have to be made to find the microbes involved in the process, potential food waste materials and suitable electrode combinations.
Major Areas of research
- Food Science and Technology
- Food Process Engineering
- Food Safety and Quality Control
- Food Product Development
- By-product Utilization/Waste Management
Research topics by Faculty member
Dr. Lakshmi Mohan
Cancer Biology
Phytochemistry
Secondary Metabolites in Plants
Plastic degradation, Food Analysis
Dr. Elsa Cherian
By-product Utilization and Waste Management
Bioenergy Production, Food Product Development
Enzyme Production and applications using microbes
Daniel Paul P
Process Waste Value Addition
Extraction of Bioactive Components
Sony George
Food Powder Characterization
Spray Drying, Value Addition
Dr. Jobil J Arackal
Food Processing Technology
Statistical Modeling and Optimization
Nutraceuticals, Food Safety and Quality
Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
Dr. Sithara Sureshchandran
State Diagram, Extraction of Bioactive Ingredients
Stability of Functional Components
Dr. Anju K A
Food Processing and Preservation
Dr. Girilal M
Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Food Microbiology, Toxicology
Bionanotechnology, Waste Management
Jayasree Joshi T
Storage Engineering, Drying Kinetics
Modelling of Food Process Systems
Process Equipment Design, Food Packaging
Contact
Dr M D Mathew
Dean PG & Research
Saintgits College of Engineering
+91 481 2436169 [Ext-505]
mathew.md@saintgits.org