METzero harnesses the power of Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs) to treat wastewater in an innovative way. Their technology utilises naturally occurring electrogenic bacteria to digest organic waste anaerobically. These bacteria donate electrons to an electrical circuit during this process, producing a small current. To enhance the efficiency and output of their system, they apply a controlled potential difference across the electrodes. This adjustment allows them to generate various valuable by-products at the cathode, such as hydrogen and other energy carriers, directly from the treatment process.
Amodo collaborated with METzero to scale their hardware from lab to pilot deployment.
Our engineers were commissioned to develop a bespoke, high-performance power supply capable of controlling METzero’s microbial electrolysis cells, capturing experimental data, and operating seamlessly in both lab and field environments.
Complex electronic design
We collaborated closely with METzero to understand the complex behaviour of their electrolysis cells. Existing power supply solutions had failed to meet their requirements so our team worked diligently to define a clear technical specification.
De-risking the design early
After defining the design topology, we focused on quickly evaluating its suitability. By combining evaluation boards with prototype electronics, we rapidly confirmed that our solution would be robust for the intended use case.
In our engineering workshop, we built a test setup and provided METzero with a system to validate the approach, helping to de-risk the design early. Reducing uncertainty at this stage allowed us to move swiftly and confidently through hardware development.
Design and production of bespoke electronics
After de-risking the core design, our electronics team progressed through schematic design, review, and PCB layout. We partnered with a European PCB manufacturer to rapidly prototype the design, ensuring it met METzero’s immediate needs while considering how the system scales as deployments grow. The design prioritises speed and robustness while maintaining flexibility for modularity and cost optimisation.
Robust and safe design
METzero’s microbial electrolysis system is designed for seamless integration into industrial wastewater treatment plants, where safety and durability are paramount. To meet these stringent requirements, our electronic and mechanical engineers collaborated to develop a robust yet straightforward system that ensures user protection from electrical hazards.
User friendly software development
In addition to a robust electronic solution, we developed an intuitive control dashboard that can be deployed on any computer. Built on WebSerial, it enables seamless access via a website, eliminating the need for software installation.
This system allows anyone working with METzero to control the device, monitor live data, and download records from past experiments.
