RESEARCH SCRIPT

Good day everyone and tour amazing panels, let me introduce you to our study entitled
“Bioelectricity Production from coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Flower Using Salt Bridge Based
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Technology”
Electricity is a necessary resource that we all need, from charging up small devices to
powering complex machineries, it is truly remarkable. Electricity comes from different sources
such as harnessing energy from flowing water or from a more known process, the burning fossil
fuels. This is regarded as one of the most used process for acquiring electricity. It was
revolutionary when it was first discovered but as time passed and as scientist study the effect of
this process they understood that with the continuous use of this method lies side effects that
affect not just the public health but the earth itself. One known effect that was caused by the
continuous practice of the burning of fossil fuels was global warming which translates into
another problem the climate change. In fact, burning of fossil fuels was listed as the main driver
for Global warming and Climate change itself. Global warming not only translates to climate
change but also in more serious problems such as drought and the rising of sea levels. This is a
serious matter and because of this multiple studies are being done to prevent it at the same time
to know how will it affect the world, an example of this is a study performed by Denise Lu and
Christopher Flavelle (2019) showed that by 2050 the rising of sea level will contribute to three
times the amount of damage than what was previously thought.
Philippines is one of the countries who relies heavily on its agriculture. Coconuts can be
found everywhere in the Philippines. Coconut flowers are needed to produce coconuts but not all
of them can be fruits some of them are disposed of because they are not needed furthermore
there are coconut trees who flowers but never bear fruits, this is due to the fact that there are
coconut trees who are able to produce flowers but cannot bear fruits. This flowers can be used as
a material for electricity production.
Enters bioelectricity, it is a method of acquiring electricity through biological processes which
means that no harm is being done to the environment. Bioelectricity can be acquired through a
number of means but one effective way is through the use of Microbial fuel cell. A microbial
fuel cell is a system that generates electricity through the use of anaerobic cellular respiration of
microorganisms. Generating bioelectricity through the use of disposable coconut flower with the
help of microbial fuel cell will be the main focus of our study.

Statement of the Problem

In modern times, electricity is considered an essential resource due to the number of ways
it is utilized. People doing their jobs, students doing their school work, and the government
providing the needs of its citizens are some examples of the uses of electricity. But, as the
population increases, the electricity is becoming insufficient; thus a number of black outs
occasionally occur moreover the Philippines is a coastal country which means that it is prone to
vanishing due to the continuous rising of the sea level. It is reported on Inquirer (2019) that by
2050 the major cities in National Capital Region (NCR) could likely to be submerged due to
coastal flooding. This is a very serious problem not just only for NCR but for the whole country
itself.

Goals

This study aims to address this issue and generate an effective alternative energy

source. Specifically, it will see to answer the following:

1. How effective is Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Flower for electricity generation using

Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology in terms of power, current and voltage?

a) Maximum Power of the Microbial Fuel Cells

Using the formula P=VI

Where P = power, V = voltage and I = current.

b) Average Power of Microbial Fuel cells

Using the formula P=VI

Where P = power, V = voltage and I = current.

2. How much bioelectricity is being generated by the microbial fuel cell utilizing
 coconut flowers compared to the microbial fuel cell that does not utilize coconut

flowers?

3. What devices can be powered by the generated bioelectricity of the microbial fuel

cells?

4. Which among the substrates is the most viable to gather and produce electricity

enough to make an electrical storage full within a short period of time?

Objectives

1. To test the effectiveness of the device in harnessing electrical energy using

coconut flowers.

2. To determine the amount of electricity, the double chambered salt bridge based

Microbial Fuel Cell can produce.

3. To know which experimental set-up with the certain substrate has the most

electric gain.

Expected Outcome

The coconut flowers with the help of the microbial fuel cell will be able to generate

enough electricity to power a small device.

Research Design

The research design that will be used in this study is the pre-test and post-test

design with experimental set-ups under investigation. This design will enable us to

produce data that are unbiased. Furthermore, this design was used by experts who

conducted studies in this field. The following will be used in conducting this study:

Substrate Experimentation:

● Experimental Set-Up 1: Muck (constant)

● Experimental Set-Up 2: Muck with coconut flower (50g)

● Experimental Set-Up 3: Muck with coconut flower (75g)

● Experimental Set-Up 4: Muck with coconut flower (100g)

Device:

● Experimental Set-Up 1: 8 Double chambered salt bridge based microbial fuel cell

● Experimental Set-Up 2: 8 Double chambered salt bridge based microbial fuel cell

● Experimental Set-Up 3: 8 Double chambered salt bridge based microbial fuel cell

● Experimental Set-Up 4: 8 Double chambered salt bridge based microbial fuel cell

Each substrate will be replicated eight times and will be left in a span of 3 days giving

enough time for the bacteria to produce electricity. After 3 days its electrical output will be

recorded in a span of 5 days. This will then be compiled and calculated to determine which of the

following generated the most electrical output in terms of volts. After compiling it will be tested

on small devices to see whether the gathered electricity is sufficient enough to power small

devices.