Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)

Abstract

Unlike biofuels, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are “plug in and power” devices that convert energy harvested from redox reactions directly into bioelectricity. MFCs can utilize low-grade organic carbons (fuels) in waste streams. The oxidation of the fuel molecules requires biofilm catalysis. In recent years, MFCs have also been used in the electrolysis mode to produce bioproducts in laboratory tests. MFC research has intensified in the past decade, and the maximum MFC power density output has been increased greatly, and many types of waste streams have been tested. MFCs can also be used in wastewater treatment facilities to break down organic matters. They have also been studied for applications as biosensors such as sensors for biological oxygen demand monitoring. Power output and coulombic efficiency are significantly affected by the types of microbe in the anodic chamber of an MFC, configuration of the MFC, and operating conditions. Currently, real-world applications of MFCs are limited because of their low power density level of several thousand mW/m2. Efforts are being made to improve the performance and reduce the construction and operating costs of MFCs. Present strategies on the recent advances in MFC research with emphases on MFC configurations and performances and its possibility to commercialize have been presented with impressive graphic models.