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European patent application no EP 2 000 000
10 December 2008
The European Patent Office (EPO) has reached a milestone today by publishing its two millionth patent application. The application, filed on 7 June 2007 by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Lyngby, describes a microbial fuel cell which can be used to produce electricity from wastewater.
A microbial fuel cell is an electrochemical device that enables the bioconversion of chemical energy from organic matter directly into electrical energy with the help of microorganisms as catalysts. It can produce electricity from wastewater, thus helping to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. At the same time, it contributes to the degradation of the pollutants contained in wastewater.
Figure 3 in application EP 2000000
"The EPO is pleased to see that this symbolic publication number is attributed to a patent application coming from a European university in such a relevant technology," said EPO President Alison Brimelow. "It should be borne in mind, however, that high application figures should generally not be misread as indicating high levels of innovation, but are in the first place a consequence of increased global competition among technology providers."
Applications for European patents are published 18 months after first filing. They are examined by panels of three scientists with expertise in their technical field to ensure they meet the strict requirements of the European Patent Convention in order to be granted. The present application is in examination, and no decision has been taken yet if a patent can be granted.
The EPO received its first application in 1978. The one millionth application was published in 2000.
About the technology
Microbial fuel cells usually consist of an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, separated by an electrolyte membrane. In the anode compartment, organic compounds are oxidised by microorganisms under anaerobic conditions generating electrons and protons. Electrons are flowing to the cathode compartment through an external electric circuit, and the protons are transferred to the cathode compartment through the electrolyte membrane. Electrons and protons are combined with oxygen in the cathode compartment to form water.
Specification as laid out in the application
The application filed by DTU describes a more appropriate construction of the microbial fuel cell for the treatment of wastewater. Specifically, it proposes to submerge a closed cathode compartment inside the wastewater of the anaerobic anode compartment. The closed cathode compartment is provided with an inlet and an outlet passage from the outside of the anode compartment for passing air through the cathode compartment. This promotes the reaction with the protons and the electrons and avoids bringing the air directly in contact with the anode compartment.
This type of construction prevents a steady flow of wastewater from being pumped into the anaerobic anode compartment. This simplifies the process of generating energy.
More information about application EP 2 000 000:
- Consult the document on the European Publication Server