Glossary: Fuel cells microbial

Lebônê Solutions, Inc. is a social enterprise working in off-grid energy delivery and lighting technology. The mission of Lebônê is to help end the energy and lighting crisis in Africa by identifying and harnessing emerging technologies, developing and adapting them for the African market, and delivering them to rural villages in an innovative and accessible manner. The group was incubated under the tutelage of Professor David Edwards in the Harvard Idea Translation Lab. Lebônê plans to offer more holistic solutions to the pressing problems in developing countries.

 

One priority is Microbial Fuel cells MFCs which capture energy produced by naturally occurring microbial metabolism. This can generate electricity from organic-rich materials such as soil, manure, or food scraps. By contrast, most renewable energy technologies are based on solar or wind power. Unlike these and other natural solutions for generating electricity, the team says MFCs are more reliable - working day or night, rain or shine - and are markedly less expensive.