MIDES Work Package 1 is dedicated to the development of advanced electrode materials for microbial desalination cells. In moving forward within this work package, building on existing carbon fibre technology platforms, general material specifications and testing protocols for anode and cathode have been elaborated jointly between consortium member organisations IMDEA, LEITAT and SGL in June 2016. In parallel, modifications of anode materials towards higher hydrophilicity have been performed.

For microbial desalination cells based on air-breathing cathodes (ORR cathodes), different catalyst-coated materials have been prepared and are currently being studied by benchmarking against commercial platinum-based electrodes. In addition, application-oriented testing of selected anode candidates are underway. The target test areas include: basic electrochemical performance patterns, inoculation studies and MDC tests.

Keep a check on the MIDES website and Twitter for updates on work package progress as the project continues development toward the realisation of the demonstration sites that will be installed in Spain, Tunisia and Chile.