Microbial Fuel Cells as an Alternate Strategy for Sustainable Energy Generation (original) (raw)

A Review of Recent Advances in Microbial Fuel Cells: Preparation, Operation, and Application

BioTech

The microbial fuel cell has been considered a promising alternative to traditional fossil energy. It has great potential in energy production, waste management, and biomass valorization. However, it has several technical issues, such as low power generation efficiency and operational stability. These issues limit the scale-up and commercialization of MFC systems. This review presents the latest progress in microbial community selection and genetic engineering techniques for enhancing microbial electricity production. The summary of substrate selection covers defined substrates and some inexpensive complex substrates, such as wastewater and lignocellulosic biomass materials. In addition, it also includes electrode modification, electron transfer mediator selection, and optimization of operating conditions. The applications of MFC systems introduced in this review involve wastewater treatment, production of value-added products, and biosensors. This review focuses on the crucial proce...

Editorial In Focus: Microbial Fuel Cells, some considerations

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 2019

The discovery by M.C. Potter in 1911 that some bacteria can generate electricity in devices called microbial fuel cells (MFCs) opened up a new opportunity in exploitation of microbes' potential; but limited interest was shown for some time. However, since 1980's research in this area has intensified. MFCs work on the principle that electricigens can oxidise substrates in an anode chamber releasing electrons and protons. The electrons go through an external circuit to a cathode chamber, while protons travel from the anode to the cathode through a membrane that separates the two chambers. Recombination of electrons and protons in the cathodic chamber completes the circuit in presence of an oxidant, typically oxygen. MFCs have promise in a number of areas including bioremediation, electricity production, biosensing and water desalination. To enhance feasibility of MFC technology in biotechnology sectors, a number of challenges need to be overcome. These include selection/design of efficient microbes, electrodes, membranes and chambers; better understanding of the mechanism and improving the process of electron transfer from the microorganisms to the electrodes; integration of MFCs in the wastewater treatment train; extending potential of MFCs from applications in bioremediation to bioproduction; and cost-effective scale-up of the reactors. This 'In-focus' section of the Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology (JCTB) covers a total of six manuscripts (two review papers 1,6 and four original research articles 2-4) in microbial fuel cells reporting recent developments in MFC technology. Alleviating the accumulation of xenobiotics in the environment, has been subject to extensive research. However, the use of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) in remediation is a relatively new endeavour. Fernando et al. 1 report in a comprehensive review, the history of electromicrobiology, contaminants treated by MFC, and types of BES used, addressing BES advantages. The review concludes that BES is promising for both in situ and ex situ environmental remediation applications in a sustainable manner. Gomaa et al. 2 address the mechanism of concomitant degradation of the dye Congo red and bioelectricity generation using a recombinant strain of E. coli. Their work shows that although there seems to exist a link between dye decolourisation and COD values in their reactor, the efficiency of the system for generation of electricity is low. This highlights the importance of appropriately engineered efficient strains for multiple desired outputs. In another study investigating multifunctional

Microbial fuel cells as an alternative energy source: current status

Biotechnology & genetic engineering reviews, 2018

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is an emerging area for alternative renewable energy generation and it offers additional opportunities for environmental bioremediation. Recent scientific studies have focused on MFC reactor design as well as reactor operations to increase energy output. The advancement in alternative MFC models and their performance in recent years reflect the interests of scientific community to exploit this technology for wider practical applications and environmental benefit. This is reflected in the diversity of the substrates available for use in MFCs at an economically viable level. This review provides an overview of the commonly used MFC designs and materials along with the basic operating parameters that have been developed in recent years. Still, many limitations and challenges exist for MFC development that needs to be further addressed to make them economically feasible for general use. These include continued improvements in fuel cell design and eff...