Microbial Fuel Cell Technology Research Articles

Metabolic cross-feeding interactions modulate the dynamic community structure in microbial fuel cell under variable organic loading wastewaters.

The efficiency of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in industrial wastewater treatment is profoundly influenced by the microbial community, which can be disrupted by variable industrial operations. Although microbial guilds linked to MFC performance under specific conditions have been identified, comprehensive knowledge of the convergent community structure and pathways of adaptation is lacking. Here, we developed a microbe-microbe interaction genome-scale metabolic model (mmGEM) based on metabolic cross-feeding to study the adaptation of microbial communities in MFCs treating sulfide-containing wastewater from a canned-pineapple factory. The metabolic model encompassed three major microbial guilds: sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), methanogens (MET), and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). Our findings revealed a shift from an SOB-dominant to MET-dominant community as organic loading rates (OLRs) increased, along with a decline in MFC performance. The mmGEM accurately predicted microbial relative abundance at low OLRs (L-OLRs) and adaptation to high OLRs (H-OLRs). The simulations revealed constraints on SOB growth under H-OLRs due to reduced sulfate-sulfide (S) cycling and acetate cross-feeding with SRB. More cross-fed metabolites from SRB were diverted to MET, facilitating their competitive dominance. Assessing cross-feeding dynamics under varying OLRs enabled the execution of practical scenario-based simulations to explore the potential impact of elevated acidity levels on SOB growth and MFC performance. This work highlights the role of metabolic cross-feeding in shaping microbial community structure in response to high OLRs. The insights gained will inform the development of effective strategies for implementing MFC technology in real-world industrial environments.

Microbial fuel cell technology: Novelties for a clean future

The degree of civilization exhibited by a society is largely determined by its reliance on energy, and as traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels become scarcer, new technologies will be required to secure sustainable energy. Microbial fuel cell technology is one of the most creative ways to meet humanity's energy demands because it can generate electrical energy from carbon sources. The framework of the limitations limiting the dissemination of this technology has been used to explore in depth new designs and configurations that have been produced recently. Future developments and current applications of this technology in bioremediation investigations are explored. The use of microbial fuel cell technology as a microbial biosensor for the identification of environmental contaminants is particularly significant. However, for a clean and sustainable ecosystem, it is imperative to disclose the challenges associated with the future adoption of this technology.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NSB4 bacteria for treating wastewater for fuel cell application

Pollutants in water bodies come from a variety of sources, including but not limited to domestic, industrial, municipal etc. Water contamination and energy shortages are global problems that require significant attention. Therefore, it is essential to synthesize sustainable energy and transport waste-free water to the water reception points. Concerns about energy shortages and water contamination have prompted the development of microbial fuel cell technology. Microorganisms are used by the electrochemical cell nature of MFCs to digest the organic wastes and produce energy anaerobically. Focusing on single-chambered mediator-less MFCs operating in batch mode, this study assesses the efficacy of a novel bacterial strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NSB4, as an exoelectrogen regarding electricity yield and waste elimination. Results from the strain's electrochemical characterization showed a maximum current density of 0.4804A/m2 and a power density of 41.281mW/m2. Additionally, the columbic efficiency (72%) and COD reduction efficiency (90.46%) were also remarkably high. Growth of the anodic biofilm during the MFC process displayed the crucial performance of the exoelectrogen used. SEM images of the biofilm are also presented in the study.

Microbial Fuel Cells for Bioelectricity Generation: Current Innovations, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Abstract: Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) have emerged as a compelling technological advancement that utilizes microbial metabolic processes to produce electricity from organic waste substrates. This review examines the latest advancements, prevailing challenges, and prospective developments of MFCs in relation to renewable energy generation and ecological sustainability. MFCs present a dual benefit by facilitating wastewater treatment while concurrently generating bioelectricity, thereby rendering them appealing for decentralized energy frameworks and waste management strategies. Recent progress in the fields of genetic engineering and synthetic biology has culminated in the development of optimized microbial strains and improved biofilm stability, which significantly enhances the efficiency of electron transfer. Innovations in electrode materials, including carbon nanotubes and graphene, have further augmented the performance metrics of these systems. Nevertheless, obstacles persist in augmenting power output, minimizing material costs, and scaling MFCs for larger industrial applications. This review also elucidates the environmental and economic implications of MFCs, particularly their capacity to mitigate carbon emissions and generate financial savings in the domain of wastewater treatment. Lastly, we delineate future research trajectories, concentrating on synthetic biology, hybrid renewable systems, and commercialization strategies that will catalyze the scalability and wider acceptance of MFC technology. The prospects for MFCs are indeed promising, providing innovative solutions to the pressing global challenges of energy production and waste management.

Integration and Characterization of Synthetic Biodegradable Polymer (PVA) with Graphite Oxide (GO) for Performance Assessment in Sustainable Electrochemical Devices

AbstractIn recent years, the demand for sustainable materials in electrochemical devices has driven the exploration of innovative composites. This study focuses on the integration and characterization of synthetic biodegradable polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with graphite oxide (GO) to evaluate their performance in sustainable electrochemical applications. PVA, known for its biodegradability and biocompatibility, was combined with GO to leverage its excellent electrical conductivity and large surface area. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising electrochemical biosynthesis technology that harnesses the enzymatic activities using microbes to produce energy from organic substrates. This renewable energy approach relies on the synergistic interaction between electrochemically active bacteria and electrode materials to facilitate electron transfer and power generation. Applications of MFCs range from wastewater treatment to sustainable power generation in remote or resource-limited settings. This study explores recent advances in MFC technology, challenges in scaling up for practical applications, and prospects for integrating MFCs into renewable energy strategies. The nano composite membrane was evaluated for structural, morphological, crystalline, and thermal properties by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and UV- visible spectroscopy. Additionally, the biodegradability of the composite was assessed, confirming that it maintains its environmental benefits while offering improved performance for potential applications in sustainable energy storage and conversion devices. This work provides a promising avenue for the development of eco-friendly electrochemical devices with optimized performance characteristics.

Leveraging microbial synergy: Predicting the optimal consortium to enhance the performance of microbial fuel cell using Subspace-kNN

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a sophisticated and advanced system that uses exoelectrogenic microorganisms to generate bioenergy. Predicting performance outcomes under experimental settings is challenging due to the intricate interactions that occur in mixed-species bioelectrochemical reactors like MFCs. One of the key factors that limit the MFC's performance is the presence of a microbial consortium. Traditionally, multiple microbial consortia are implemented in MFCs to determine the best consortium. This approach is laborious, inefficient, and wasteful of time and resources. The increase in the availability of soft computational techniques has allowed for the development of alternative strategies like artificial intelligence (AI) despite the fact that a direct correlation between microbial strain, microbial consortium, and MFC performance has yet to be established. In this work, a novel generic AI model based on subspace k-Nearest Neighbour (SS-kNN) is developed to identify and forecast the best microbial consortium from the constituent microbes. The SS-kNN model is trained with thirty-five different microbial consortia sharing different effluent properties. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, voltage generation, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, and standard deviation (SD) of voltage generation are used as input features to train the SS-kNN model. The proposed SS-kNN model offers an accuracy of 100% during training period and 85.71% when it is tested with the data obtained from existing literature. The implementation of selected consortium (as predicted by SS-kNN model) improves the COD reduction capability of MFC by 15.67% than that of its constituent microbes which is experimentally verified. In addition, to prevent the effects of climate change and mitigate water pollution, the implementation of MFC technology ensures clean and green electricity. Consequently, achieving sustainable development goals (SDG) 6, 7, and 13.

Utilization of Cassava Peel Waste for Renewable Electrical Energy Production Using Joule Thief Series with Microbial Fuel Cell Technology (Addition of Yeast and Acetate)

Utilization of Cassava Peel Waste for Renewable Electrical Energy Production Using Joule Thief Series with Microbial Fuel Cell Technology (Addition of Yeast and Acetate)

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF A SINGLE CHAMBER MICROBIAL FUEL CELL (MFC)

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent renewable energy technology with potential applications in electricity generation. This study aimed to construct and evaluate the performance of a single-chamber MFC using soil samples. Two MFCs were built for this purpose: one to assess performance by monitoring the variation of voltage and current over time, and the other to examine the effect of cathode surface area on MFC performance. Microbial fuel cells are important due to their potential to generate renewable energy, treat wastewater, remediate contaminated environments, serve as biosensors, and be scalable and integrated with other technologies, making them a promising solution for addressing various environmental and energy challenges. Notable results included recording maximum currents and voltages of 2.2 mA and 0.6 V, respectively, which elucidated the non-linear relationship between current and voltage. Additionally, it was found that the cathode surface area has a direct impact on the current produced. The polarization curve, illustrating current density as a function of voltage, was also analyzed. Another significant finding was a coulombic efficiency of 92.6%. Furthermore, connecting the MFCs in series achieved a voltage of 1.363 V. These results indicate substantial progress in the field. This study contributed to the advancement of MFC technology and its potential for practical applications in renewable energy generation, wastewater treatment, and environmental sustainability.

Application and prospect analysis of microbial fuel cell technology

As global energy demand grows and environmental problems intensify, the search for clean, renewable energy solutions becomes especially urgent. This article reviews microbial fuel cell (MFCs) technology, a new type of clean energy technology that uses microbial metabolic activity to convert organic matter into electricity. Compared with traditional fossil fuel power generation methods, MFCs have significant advantages such as low pollution, low noise, and renewable. The working principle of MFCs, including the reaction process of anode and cathode, as well as the key factors affecting the performance of MFCs, such as the choice of anode and cathode materials, are discussed. In addition, the coupling applications of MFCs with other technologies, such as photocatalysis, electrofenton technology, microbial electrolysis (MEC) and constructed wetland technology, are discussed, which provide new possibilities for improving wastewater treatment efficiency and expanding the application field of MFC. Finally, the challenges and future development direction of MFCs technology are prospected, and key research directions such as improving energy conversion efficiency, reducing cost and enhancing system stability are pointed out.

An effective, novel and low-cost proton exchange membrane for microbial fuel cell-based bioelectricity production

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a substitute for fossil-fuel-based electricity generation. They are innovative bioelectrochemical systems that use microbial catalysts to convert organic waste directly into electrical energy. However, MFCs face several commercialization challenges, including expensive Proton Exchange Membranes (PEMs), making them unaffordable. The present research aims to develop cost-effective, environmentally friendly, high-performance PEM to make MFC technology more viable. The study analyzed using MFCs with different PEMs with native microflora and Serratia marcescens (AATB1) as biocatalysts to produce bioelectricity and treat septic tank wastewater (STWW). The experiment included a control group with sterile STWW. The study involves fabricating and characterizing the optimized Novel Cement Supported Conductive Salts PEM (NCSCS PEM) using SEM, TGA, and EIS techniques. The commercial Nafion 117 and salt bridge were used to compare NCSCS PEM in MFCs. The anode biofilm was investigated using CV, CLSM, and SEM. The MFCs with Nafion 117, NCSCS PEM, and Salt bridge produced power densities of 126.6 ± 1.06 mW/m2, 204.04 ± 0.87 mW/m2, and 188.26 ± 1.13 mW/m2, respectively. Moreover, Our study shows a greater PEM cost reduction with commercial Nafion 117 PEM in terms of consumed cost of $7.04, $0.21, and $2.41 for making MFCs with Nafion 117 (9 cm2), NCSCS PEM (15 cm3) (with 97.02 % reduced cost) and salt bridge (15 cm3) (with 65.77 % reduced cost) respectively. Our MFC setup cost was reduced by 70.29 % by replacing Nafion 117 with durable NCSCS PEM. Using our cost-effective, better-performing, durable NCSCS in MFC makes the MFC technology or any other technology that needs PEM feasible on a larger scale.

Advancement in constructed wetland microbial fuel cell process for wastewater treatment and electricity generation: a review.

The constructed wetland coupled with a microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) is a wastewater treatment process that combines contaminant removal with electricity production, making it an environmentally friendly option. This hybrid system primarily relies on anaerobic bioprocesses for wastewater treatment, although other processes such as aerobic bioprocesses, plant uptake, and chemical oxidation also contribute to the removal of organic matter and nutrients. CW-MFCs have been successfully used to treat various types of wastewater, including urban, pharmaceutical, paper and pulp industry, metal-contaminated, and swine wastewater. In CW-MFC, macrophytes such as rice plants, Spartina angalica, Canna indica, and Phragmites australis are used. The treatment process can achieve a chemical oxygen demand removal rate of between 80 and 100%. Initially, research focused on enhancing power generation from CW-MFC, but recent studies have shifted towards resource recovery from wastewater. This review paper provides an overview of the development of constructed wetland microbial fuel cell technology, from its early stages to its current applications. The paper also highlights research gaps and potential directions for future research.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) bioanodes in Co-doped modified microbial fuel cell promote sulfamethoxine degradation with high enrichment of electroactive bacteria and extracellular electron transfer

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a new renewable energy technology, which has a wide range of applications. In this paper, the refractory organic matter sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was degraded by MFC technology, and the electricity generation performance was analyzed in detail. Since Ni and Fe ions can promote electron transfer, the presence of S ions can enhance the biocompatibility of the material, in this study, nano-ferro nickel sulfide (NiFe2S4) was prepared by hydrothermal method, and co-doped with ferro oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles to modify the poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) hydrogel served as the bioanode of MFC. Through high throughput results, we found the enriched electro producing bacteria Desulfuromonas and Fe-S cluster oxidoreductase, proving that bimetallic sulfides have good synergistic effect with metal oxides, which can provide more active sites and accelerate the EET process. The maximum power density obtained as a bioanode in MFC was 3.67 W/m3. During degradation of SMX, the maximum power density was 2.39 W/m3. At the same time, the degradation efficiency of SMX reached 93.78 %, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate was 32.52 %. This provides a valuable reference for the degradation of refractory organic compounds such as antibiotic SMX, and also provides multi-dimensional thinking for renewable energy technologies.

Design and Optimization of Critical-Raw-Material-Free Electrodes towards the Performance Enhancement of Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are sustainable energy recovery systems because they use organic waste as biofuel. Using critical raw materials (CRMs), like platinum-group metals, at the cathode side threatens MFC technology’s sustainability and raises costs. By developing an efficient electrode design for MFC performance enhancement, CRM-based cathodic catalysts should be replaced with CRM-free materials. This work proposes developing and optimizing iron-based air cathodes for enhancing oxygen reduction in MFCs. By subjecting iron phthalocyanine and carbon black pearls to controlled thermal treatments, we obtained Fe-based electrocatalysts combining high surface area (628 m2 g−1) and catalytic activity for O2 reduction at near-neutral pH. The electrocatalysts were integrated on carbon cloth and carbon paper to obtain gas diffusion electrodes whose architecture was optimized to maximize MFC performance. Excellent cell performance was achieved with the carbon-paper-based cathode modified with the Fe-based electrocatalysts (maximum power density-PDmax = 1028 mWm−2) compared to a traditional electrode design based on carbon cloth (619 mWm−2), indicating the optimized cathodes as promising electrodes for energy recovery in an MFC application.

Effect of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles (MgO) on Wastewater Treatment and Electric Current Generation Using Microbial Fuel Cell Technology

Effect of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles (MgO) on Wastewater Treatment and Electric Current Generation Using Microbial Fuel Cell Technology

Reduction of Toxic Metal Ions and Production of Bioelectricity through Microbial Fuel Cells Using Bacillus marisflavi as a Biocatalyst.

Industrialization has brought many environmental problems since its expansion, including heavy metal contamination in water used for agricultural irrigation. This research uses microbial fuel cell technology to generate bioelectricity and remove arsenic, copper, and iron, using contaminated agricultural water as a substrate and Bacillus marisflavi as a biocatalyst. The results obtained for electrical potential and current were 0.798 V and 3.519 mA, respectively, on the sixth day of operation and the pH value was 6.54 with an EC equal to 198.72 mS/cm, with a removal of 99.08, 56.08, and 91.39% of the concentrations of As, Cu, and Fe, respectively, obtained in 72 h. Likewise, total nitrogen concentrations, organic carbon, loss on ignition, dissolved organic carbon, and chemical oxygen demand were reduced by 69.047, 86.922, 85.378, 88.458, and 90.771%, respectively. At the same time, the PDMAX shown was 376.20 ± 15.478 mW/cm2, with a calculated internal resistance of 42.550 ± 12.353 Ω. This technique presents an essential advance in overcoming existing technical barriers because the engineered microbial fuel cells are accessible and scalable. It will generate important value by naturally reducing toxic metals and electrical energy, producing electric currents in a sustainable and affordable way.

Microbial Fuel Cell Technology and Its Research Progress

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are bioelectrochemical systems that convert the chemical energy of organic compounds or renewable energy into electrical or bioelectrical energy through microbial-catalyzed reactions on the anode. The core principle of the technology is that microorganisms at the anode release electrons during the oxidation of the substrate, and electrons pass through the external circuit to the cathode, where they undergo a reduction reaction with oxygen, and finally combine with hydrogen ions to form water. Microorganisms play the role of electron transport medium, which realizes the efficient conversion of substrate energy to electric energy.As a green energy technology, it can generate electricity while relying on microorganisms to degrade organic pollutants in sewage. However, the high cost and low conversion efficiency limit the industrial applications of MFC. This paper briefly describes the reaction mechanism of microbial fuel cells and reviews the research progress on two important factors that influence the performance of MFC. Finally, the future development of MFC is anticipated to provide some references for related research.

Development of a 3D-printed spongy electrode design for microbial fuel cell (MFC) using gyroid lattice

Microbial fuel cell technology addresses both issues in finding new ways to clean water systems while harnessing electricity. Several studies suggest that a single large-scale MFC is proven to be inefficient and expensive. Therefore, producing small-scale MFCs is focused on investigation to provide an efficient system and cost-effective approach. This study used 3D-printed MFCs using a spongy electrode design to produce a modern approach to modifying electrode capacity in energy generation. Furthermore, the study identifies the electrical conductivity of the spongy electrode by determining the voltage generated and power density by stacked MFCs in series, parallel, and hybrid configurations. The MFCs generate a maximum voltage of 633 mV and a current of 14.22 . One way to reduce the effects of voltage reversal in the MFC system is the application of hybrid connection circuits. Parallel-series hybrid connection possesses stable voltage generation of 250−300 𝑚𝑉 with the highest current generation of 115.20 𝜇𝐴. At the same time, the Series-Parallel Connection generates the highest voltage and current of 259 mV and 30 , respectively. The spongy electrode design and hybrid connection produced a maximum power and current density of 29.30 μW⁄m2 and 279.41 μA⁄m2 obtained from a different connection of pure parallel and 28P-2S hybrid connection. Furthermore, water quality parameters were examined (pH, TDS, ORP, and COD), that the MFCs design is efficient in wastewater treatment, with a %COD removal of 95.24% efficiency, reduced ORP from +48.00 mV to -7.00 mV, and the TDS concentration from 270 ppm to 239 ppm.

Performance of Dual Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells with Waste Water for Power Production and Treatment

Abstract: Dual-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their promising potential for sustainable energy generation from organic waste. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements, challenges, and future prospects of dual-chamber MFC technology. The paper begins with an introduction to the principles of microbial fuel cells and the rationale behind the dual-chamber configuration. It discusses the design considerations including electrode materials, membrane selection, and reactor configurations, highlighting recent innovations aimed at enhancing performance and scalability. Key advancements in dual-chamber MFCs are reviewed, focusing on improvements in power output, microbial community dynamics, and substrate utilization. Strategies such as microbial enrichment, biofilm engineering, and electrode modifications are discussed in detail, showcasing their impact on MFC performance and stability. Furthermore, the review explores the application of dual-chamber MFCs in various fields including wastewater treatment, bioenergy productions.

Optimization of Biogas Liquid Waste from Livestock Manure as a Source of Renewable Energy through Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Technology

This study examines the potential of biogas liquid waste as a source of electrical energy through microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology. The results showed that biogas effluent in one-room MFC produced a maximum voltage of 1302.2 mV. In the two-room MFC with KMnO4 electrolyte, the voltage reached 1084.3 mV with an electric current of 0.1 mA. At the same time, the two-chamber MFC with K2Cr2O4 advanced a maximum voltage of 1675.8 mV and an electric current of 0.99 mA. Characterization of the MFC substrate showed a decrease in organic matter of biogas liquid waste, with C-organic content of 2.20%, total nitrogen of 1.85%, and C/N ratio of 1.19. The COD value decreased to 500.96 mg/L, while the BOD level decreased to 300.23 mg/L. Bacteria in MFC from biogas effluent are dominantly Gram-positive with rod and Sarcina forms, except for one Gram-negative isolate in the form of Spirillum.

Starch – carrageenan based low-cost membrane permeability characteristic and its application for yeast microbial fuel cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an innovative method that generates sustainable electricity by exploiting the metabolic processes of microorganisms. The membrane that divides the anode and cathode chambers is an important component of MFCs. Commercially available membranes, such as Nafion, are both costly, not sustainable, and harmful to the environment. In this study, a low-cost alternative membrane for MFCs based on a starch-carrageenan blend (SCB-LCM) was synthesized. The SCB-LCM membrane was created by combining starch and carrageenan and demonstrated a high dehydration rate of 98.87 % over six hours. SEM analysis revealed a smooth surface morphology with no pores on the membrane surface. The performance of SCB-LCM membrane-based MFCs was evaluated and compared to that of other membranes, including Nafion 117 and Nafion 212. All membranes tested over 25 hours lost significant weight, with SCB-LCM losing the least. The maximum power density (MPD) of the SCB-LCM MFCs was 15.77 ± 4.34 mW/m2, indicating comparable performance to commercial membranes. Moreover, the cost-to-power ratio for MFCs employing SCB-LCM was the lowest (0.03 USD.m2/mW) when compared to other membranes, indicating that SCB-LCM might be a viable and cost-effective alternative to Nafion in MFCs. These SCB-LCM findings lay the groundwork for future research into low-cost and sustainable membrane for MFC technologies.