Discover insights from thousands of peer-reviewed papers on microbial electrochemical systems
Luiz Moreira Coelho Júnior, Brunna Hillary Calixto de Oliveira, Ingryd Yohane Bezerra Almeida Santos et al.
Sustainability · 2025
Sugarcane products come from agro-industrial biomass that is increasingly used in the Brazilian energy matrix, which is important for the sustainability and diversification of renewable energy sources. This article examines the concentration and structure of the supply of sugarcane bioelectricity in Brazil from 1975 to 2023. It uses information on the quantity and cumulative licensed potential of sugarcane-based thermoelectric plants in operation, available from the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) through its Generation Information System (SIGA). To measure regional concentration, the study considered geographical areas (large regions, states, intermediate regions and municipalities) using the following concentration indicators: the Concentration Ratio, Herfindahl–Hirschman Index, Theil Entropy, Comprehensive Concentration Index, and Hall–Tideman Index. The main results show a high concentration of sugarcane bioelectricity at regional and state levels, with a predominance in the Southeast-Central-West axis. During the period analyzed, the State of São Paulo remained the leader in terms of energy generated by sugarcane thermoelectric plants operating in Brazil. In the intermediate regions, the concentration was moderate, while at the municipal level, the concentration was low, indicating a highly competitive market. It can be concluded that the areas with the highest concentration are strategic for directing investments and guiding public policies for the sugarcane bioelectricity sector, which are priority locations for new opportunities. The identification of the most promising regions contributes to a more efficient development of the sector. Given that, a more equitable distribution of bioelectricity production across the country could enhance Brazil’s energy security, reduce regional vulnerabilities, and promote more resilient energy systems.
Rhean Jane B. Diaz, Allison G. Alen, Jezlreel Jode M. Olorocisimo et al.
Journal of Energy Engineering and Thermodynamics · 2024
Plants which are essential for life, have the potential to become a renewable energy source in the Future. They can generate electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and being environmentally friendly. This study aims to explore the untapped potential of botanical batteries and contribute to green energy technology. Plants' capacity to convert sunlight into chemical energy could be a viable and environmentally friendly source for electrical power generation, offering a sustainable solution to the world's growing energy demands while mitigating climate change impacts. To achieve the goal of the study, pure experimental research was applied. And the researchers used cactus (prickly pear), copper nails, zinc nails, copper wire, alligator clips, and disposable plastic containers. The study was conducted at Bayugan National Comprehensive High School, Bayugan City. Throughout the analysis of the data obtained after the three tests conducted, it has been found that like an electrochemical cell, copper and zinc electrodes inserted into prickly pear leaves can generate energy. With the highest current magnitude and maximum value at the highest contact area, the prickly pear plant has the highest potential for energy harvesting. Cut-off or partially leaved leaves can be harvested for their energy, which can then be utilized to charge batteries or power low-power devices.
M. A. Raza, M. M. Aman, N. A. Tunio et al.
Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy · 2023
Climate change threats demand unprecedented economic shifts around the world, including a fundamental transformation of the global energy system. An energy transition is underway in most regions, predominantly in the power sector. This research depicts the energy transition pathway for achieving 100% renewable energy systems through bioenergy in Pakistan. The growth rate of 20%, 30%, and 40% in biomass projects were considered for the study period 2023 to 2053 using the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) software. It presents a technology‐rich, multi‐sectoral and cost‐optimal energy transition pathway for limiting global mean temperature below 1.5°C. The results revealed that Pakistan's electricity generation undergoes a rapidly evolving transition from predominantly fossil fuels 62.1% in 2023 to 81.3% renewables in 2053, and entirely zero CO2 emissions by 2060. Hydro source is costly, wind and solar sources are seasonal so biomass emerges as the major electricity supply source in a cost optimal energy transition of Pakistan. Share of biomass is increasing from a mere 0.81% in 2023 to around 9.44% by 2053 under the 20% growth rate, which then increase to 39.67% by 2053 under the 30% growth rate and further increases to 78.33% by 2053 under the 40% growth rate. Pakistan contributes 0.8% of the global carbon footprint, but we are among the 10 most climate‐stressed countries on the planet in 2023 so this study helps to reduce cumulative CO2 emissions from 151.63 million metric tons to 8.90 million metric tons from 2023 to 2053 across the power, heat, transport, and desalination sectors.
Yangbo Chen, Weirong Wang, Hao Guo et al.
Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences · 2024
Abstract The search for sustainable energy solutions has become urgent against the current energy crisis and increasing environmental pollution. Biomass energy conversion and utilization technology, a clean and renewable energy source, constantly evolves, particularly in biomass power generation technology. This technology can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Biomass conversion and utilization techniques include combustion, gasification, and biochemical methods that generate different energy forms, including heat, electricity, and fuel. Developing these technologies provides strong technical support for optimizing energy structures and protecting the environment. The article explores the application of biopower technology in intelligent energy management of electricity and improves its efficiency. The efficiency of biopower technology and its influencing factors were investigated using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model and Tobit regression analysis. A study was conducted on ten biopower energy companies. The energy management efficiency score of 1 was present in six of these companies, suggesting a relatively high operational efficiency level. Company C has a super-efficiency value of 2.654, indicating its outstanding energy management efficiency. Factors such as human resource input, total investment, and annual production costs significantly affect energy management efficiency. By optimizing resource allocation and improving management efficiency, biopower technology can be applied more effectively to intelligent energy management, thus promoting sustainable development.
Z. Pandur, M. Bačić, M. Šušnjar et al.
Sustainability · 2024
The paper presents the process of electricity and thermal energy production in a cogeneration plant and the process of wood pellet production. The aim of this study was to analyze the energy gain—EROI for energy products that are created as a product contained in electrical and thermal energy and the energy contained in wood pellets. According to the obtained results, the production of only electrical energy from wood biomass in a cogeneration plant was not sustainable from an energy point of view, since the obtained electrical energy was only 1.46 times greater than the input wood energy (EROIel = 1.46), while the obtained energy of the produced wood pellets was 4.82 (EROIpel = 4.82). According to the results of equivalent carbon emission, positive net value was achieved only with cogeneration plant and pellet plant working in synergy. Wood is a renewable source of energy, and its economic use can create a significant energy gain. However, due to the trend of using renewable energy sources and the increasing need for electricity, such a process of obtaining electricity is financially profitable, although it is not justified from the energy profitability and environmental sustainability point of view.
F. B. Ilhami, Tutut Nurita, Vivi Azmilah et al.
Bioelectricity · 2025
The electrical and magnetic sensory systems of marine animals provide remarkable insights into evolutionary adaptation and their technological potential. This study explores the bioelectric abilities of marine species such as stingrays, electric eels, dolphins, and hammerhead sharks, which utilize specialized organs for hunting, navigation, and self-defense. These adaptations have inspired biomimetic innovations, including underwater navigation devices, bioelectric sensors, and medical diagnostic tools. This study uses a descriptive and qualitative method to show how electroreceptors like the ampullae of Lorenzini help the body pick up on small electric and magnetic fields. These capabilities have significant implications for the development of efficient energy systems, advanced navigation tools, and sensitive medical technologies. However, ethical and ecological challenges arise, especially concerning the conservation of marine species and their habitats. This study highlights the necessity of sustainably integrating biomimetic technologies and promoting further interdisciplinary research to enhance applications while safeguarding marine ecosystems.
Michael K. Jahn, Stefan B. Haderlein, Rainer U. Meckenstock
Environmental Microbiology · 2006
Summary Cyanide or cyanide–metal complexes are frequent contaminants of soil or aquifers at industrial sites, which can be released from such sites by outgassing or transport with the groundwater. They form very stable complexes with iron, which may occur in the subsurface as an insoluble blue mineral, the so‐called Prussian Blue (Fe 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3 ). In this study, we show that the insoluble and colloidal Fe(III)–cyanide complex Prussian Blue can be reduced and utilized as electron acceptor by the dissimilatory iron‐reducing bacteria Geobacter metallireducens and Shewanella alga strain BrY. The microbial reduction of the dark blue pigment Prussian Blue leads to the formation of a completely colourless solid mineral, presumably Prussian White (Fe 2 [Fe(CN) 6 ]), which could be reoxidized through exposure to air, regaining the dark blue colour. In addition, the microorganisms were able to grow with Prussian Blue, using it as the sole electron acceptor. Geobacter metallireducens could also reduce Prussian Blue coatings on sand, which was sampled from a contaminated site.
Gary A. Icopini, Joe G. Lack, Larry E. Hersman et al.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology · 2009
ABSTRACT We examined the ability of the metal-reducing bacteria Geobacter metallireducens GS-15 and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to reduce Pu(VI) and Pu(V). Cell suspensions of both bacteria reduced oxidized Pu [a mixture of Pu(VI) and Pu(V)] to Pu(IV). The rate of plutonium reduction was similar to the rate of U(VI) reduction obtained under similar conditions for each bacteria. The rates of Pu(VI) and U(VI) reduction by cell suspensions of S. oneidensis were slightly higher than the rates observed with G. metallireducens . The reduced form of Pu was characterized as aggregates of nanoparticulates of Pu(IV). Transmission electron microscopy images of the solids obtained from the cultures after the reduction of Pu(VI) and Pu(V) by S. oneidensis show that the Pu precipitates have a crystalline structure. The nanoparticulates of Pu(IV) were precipitated on the surface of or within the cell walls of the bacteria. The production of Pu(III) was not observed, which indicates that Pu(IV) was the stable form of reduced Pu under these experimental conditions. Experiments examining the ability of these bacteria to use Pu(VI) as a terminal electron acceptor for growth were inconclusive. A slight increase in cell density was observed for both G. metallireducens and S. oneidensis when Pu(VI) was provided as the sole electron acceptor; however, Pu(VI) concentrations decreased similarly in both the experimental and control cultures.
Hakim Boukhalfa, Gary A. Icopini, Sean D. Reilly et al.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology · 2007
ABSTRACT The bacterial reduction of actinides has been suggested as a possible remedial strategy for actinide-contaminated environments, and the bacterial reduction of Pu(VI/V) has the potential to produce highly insoluble Pu(IV) solid phases. However, the behavior of plutonium with regard to bacterial reduction is more complex than for other actinides because it is possible for Pu(IV) to be further reduced to Pu(III), which is relatively more soluble than Pu(IV). This work investigates the ability of the metal-reducing bacteria Geobacter metallireducens GS15 and Shewanella oneidensis MR1 to enzymatically reduce freshly precipitated amorphous Pu(IV) (OH) 4 [Pu(IV)(OH) 4(am) ] and soluble Pu(IV)(EDTA). In cell suspensions without added complexing ligands, minor Pu(III) production was observed in cultures containing S. oneidensis , but little or no Pu(III) production was observed in cultures containing G. metallireducens . In the presence of EDTA, most of the Pu(IV)(OH) 4(am) present was reduced to Pu(III) and remained soluble in cell suspensions of both S. oneidensis and G. metallireducens . When soluble Pu(IV)(EDTA) was provided as the terminal electron acceptor, cell suspensions of both S. oneidensis and G. metallireducens rapidly reduced Pu(IV)(EDTA) to Pu(III)(EDTA) with nearly complete reduction within 20 to 40 min, depending on the initial concentration. Neither bacterium was able to use Pu(IV) (in any of the forms used) as a terminal electron acceptor to support growth. These results have significant implications for the potential remediation of plutonium and suggest that strongly reducing environments where complexing ligands are present may produce soluble forms of reduced Pu species.
Suhad Sh. Jaroo, Mohanad J. M-Ridha
International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics · 2025
Mostafa M. El-Seddik, Abdelsalam Elawwad
Desalination · 2024
D. Vidhyeswari, S. Bhuvaneshwari
Desalination and Water Treatment · 2018
of Nanobiotechnology. He is also an · 2019
An exploration of new and simplified electrode materials such as gold leaf (GL), and silver leaf (SL) based approaches to enhance the efficiency and scalability of microfluidic biofuel cell renewable energy sources has generated significant interest. Our research aims to utilize the unique properties of these materials to create advanced biofuel cells, with a specific focus on implantable devices. By employing nanoporous gold and patterned silver leaf, are designing flexible, efficient, and scalable biofuel cells that have the potential to revolutionize energy solutions in medical and wearable technologies. Microfluidic biofuel cells with nanostructured gold and silver leaf devices harvest ultra-low power energy, making them more practical for real-world applications. The gold and silver leaf enzymatic biofuel cell (L- EBFC) operates using glucose as fuel, with glucose oxidase functioning at the anode and laccase at the cathode, both coating the GL and SL bioelectrodes. These leaf microfluidic devices, fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and filter paper, demonstrated a peak open circuit voltage of 197 mV and 448 mV, along with a maximum power density of 28.7 μW/cm2 and 93.6 μW/cm2 , respectively. Such flexible devices are lightweight, non-toxic, edible, and biodegradable, designed for optimal load connection to ensure stable performance while reducing weight. Please replace with this sentence. It opens new opportunities for sustainable power generation and offers promising applications in wearable, implantable, and portable microelectronic devices, where reliable, low-power energy sources are inexpensive.
Jin wook Lee, Erik Kjeang
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Funding for this research provided by the Natural Science · 2010
This review article presents how microfluidic technologies and biological materials are paired to assist in the development of low cost, green energy fuel cell systems. Miniaturized biological fuel cells, employing enzymes or microorganisms as biocatalysts in an environmentally benign configuration, can become an attractive candidate for small-scale power source applications such as biological sensors, implantable medical devices, and portable electronics. State-of-the-art biofuel cell technologies are reviewed with emphasis on microfabrication compatibility and microfluidic fuel cell designs. Integrated microfluidic biofuel cell prototypes are examined with comparisons of their performance achievements and fabrication methods. The technical challenges for further developments and the potential research opportunities for practical cell designs are discussed.
Javeed Mahmood, Eun Kwang Lee, Minbok Jung et al.
is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011 · 2011
Electronic Supplementary Material (ESI) for Chemical Communications This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011
· 2019
Padmaja Shastri, Carolina Fiallos Herrera, Elyssa Jane Gargallano et al.
Department of Materials Science · 2019
Article https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52498-w
Emilie Dubois‐Deruy, Victoriane Peugnet, Annie Turkieh et al.
energies Review · 2002
Membraneless microfluidic fuel cells (MMFCs) are being studied extensively as an al- ternative to batteries and conventional membrane fuel cells because of their simple functioning and lower manufacturing cost. MMFCs use the laminar flow of reactant species (fuel and oxidant) to eliminate the electrolyte membrane, which has conventionally been used to isolate anodic and cathodic half-cell reactions. This review article summarizes the MMFCs with six major categories of flow configurations that have been reported from 2002 to 2020. The discussion highlights the critical factors that affect and limit the performance of MMFCs. Since MMFCs are diffusion-limited, most of this review focuses on how different flow configurations act to reduce or modify diffusive mixing and depletion zones to enhance the power density output. Research opportunities are also pointed out, and the challenges in MMFCs are suggested to improve cell performance and make them practical in the near future.
Liang Hao, Jia Yu, Xin Xu et al.
Journal of Power Sources · 2019
Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are an emerging technology enabling electricity generation from the oxidation of biodegradable substrates by exoelectrogenic microor- ganisms. The use of microalgae in Microbial Fuel Cells (mMFCs) presents significant advantages such as their simultaneous contribution to the reduction in operational en- ergy, CO2 capture, value-added compound production, and the endogenous supply of organic matter—through the decay biomass—to generate electrical current with coupled wastewater treatment. To achieve the desired electrical and wastewater performance, it is crucial to optimize the architecture, electrode and membrane characteristics, and op- erational conditions such as light intensity, CO2 and nutrient availability, pH, and algae strains used in the mMFCs. This optimization can be aided by mathematical models, with the goal of achieving efficient large-scale operation. This review provides a comprehen- sive overview of the advances in Microbial Fuel Cells with microalgae, highlighting their electron transfer mechanisms, evaluating strategies to enhance their efficiency and their potential applications.
Ankush Yadav, Eldon R. Rene, Manisha Sharma et al.
homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/envres · 2019
Katherine E. Duncker, Zachary A. Holmes, Lingchong You
homepage: www.sciencedirect.com/journal/biofilm · 2019
of important components deficient mutant [39] showed that the mutant had a much-reduced ca in the electron transport mechanism from cells to the anode in Geobacter pacity at producing current, but not zero, probably due to the secretion MFCs has been provided by Lovley [37]. Metabolism of electron rich of flavin molecules, suggesting that some species may use all three (reduced) substrate such as acetate or lactate drives the production of transport mechanisms shown in Fig. 4. The majority of species studied to reduced NADH from NAD+ within the cell. In order for the cell to date are Gram negative organisms. However, Thermincola potens strain maintain reducing power, it must re-oxidise NAD+ by abstracting elec JR, is a Gram-positive isolate obtained from the anode surface of a mi trons by using dehydrogenase and the cytochrome system consisting of crobial fuel cell [40]. Despite careful study this species produced no quinone/menaquinone pool, periplasmic proteins MacA, PpcA, and evidence of any soluble redox-active components being secreted into the outer membrane proteins, OmcE and OmcS. Together these are able to surrounding medium. Confocal microscopy revealed highly stratified transport the electrons by a series of redox reactions spanning the inner biofilms in which the cells contacting the electrode surface were cytoplasmic membrane across the periplasmic space until the electron is disproportionately viable relative to the rest of the biofilm. Furthermore, conducted across the outer membrane to the anode electrode via the there was no correlation between biofilm thickness and power produc outer membrane cytochromes OmcE and OmcS (Fig. 4b). Further tion, suggesting that cells in contact with the electrode were primarily
Cathie Sudlow, John Gallacher, Naomi E. Allen et al.
Energy · 2016
Trends in Biotechnology OPEN ACCESS Special Issue: Bioconversion of C1 Products and Feedstocks Opinion
Mohana Marimuthu, Sanghyo Kim
· March 2014 · 2014
This research aims a continuous and uni- and the uniform oxygen/nutrient distribution continu- form oxygen tensions and oxygen gradients supply in ously supplied for dermal fibroblast cell culture. This microfluidic cell culture chip based micro-bioreactor could be a potential and effective model to be incor- without any external pumps by modifying the existing porated into tissue regeneration studies, drug screen- siphon based perfusion strategy using conventional ing model, and in cancer tissue model studies for un- tools to control constant hydrostatic pressure for con- derstanding angiogenesis, where oxygen tension and stant fluid flow rate. In this study, the microfluidic perfusion cultures play important roles. based micro-bioreactor is fabricated using a polydi- methylsiloxane (PDMS) replication process. The mi-
Marwa Gamal Saad, Noura S. Dosoky, M. Sh. Zoromba et al.
energies Review · 2019
The current fossil fuel reserves are not sufficient to meet the increasing demand and very soon will become exhausted. Pollution, global warming, and inflated oil prices have led the quest for renewable energy sources. Algal biofuels represent a potential source of renewable energy. Algae, as the third generation feedstock, are suitable for biodiesel and bioethanol production due to their quick growth, excellent biomass yield, and high lipid and carbohydrate contents. With their huge potential, algae are expected to surpass the first and second generation feedstocks. Only a few thousand algal species have been investigated as possible biofuel sources, and none of them was ideal. This review summarizes the current status of algal biofuels, important steps of algal biofuel production, and the major commercial production challenges.
Ali Ebrahimi Khabbazi, Mina Hoorfar
of Power Sources 195 (2010) 8141–8151 · 2010
See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267498116
Tamara Joglar, Antonio J. Capezza, Adrián Escapa et al.
of Power Sources 625 (2025) 235688 · 2019
Tonia Tommasi, Gian Paolo Salvador, Marzia Quaglio
6, 2002–2013 · 2016
AbstractFor the development of long lasting portable microbial fuel cells (MFCs) new strategies are necessary to overcome critical issues such as hydraulic pump system and the biochemical substrate retrieval overtime to sustain bacteria metabolism. The present work proposes the use of a synthetic solid anolyte (SSA), constituted by agar, carbonaceous and nitrogen sources dissolved into diluted seawater. Results of a month-test showed the potential of the new SSA-MFC as a long lasting low energy consuming system.
Cong Wang, Dongdong Chang, Qi Zhang et al.
National Energy · 2019
Background: Microbial electricity production has received considerable attention from researchers due to its environmental friendliness and low price. The increase in the number of intracellular electrons in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) helps to improve the MFC performance. Results: In this study, we accumulated excess electrons intracellularly by knocking out the gene related to intracellu- lar electron consumption in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the elevated intracellular electron pool positively influ- enced the performances of MFCs in terms of electricity production, while helping to increase ethanol production and achieve ethanol and electricity co-production, which in turn improved the utilization of substrates. The final knockout strain reached a maximum ethanol yield of 7.71 g/L and a maximum power density of 240 mW/m2 in the MFC, which was 12 times higher than that of the control bacteria, with a 17.3% increase in energy utilization. Conclusions: The knockdown of intracellular electron-consuming genes reported here allowed the accumulation of excess electrons in cells, and the elevated intracellular electron pool positively influenced the electrical produc- tion performance of the MFC. Furthermore, by knocking out the intracellular metabolic pathway, the yield of ethanol could be increased, and co-production of ethanol and electricity could be achieved. Thus, the MFC improved the utilization of the substrate.
Hui Wang, Xizi Long, Yingying Sun et al.
Frontiers in Microbiology · 2019
techniques Ramasamy, R. P., Gadhamshetty, V., Nadeau, L. J., and Johnson, G. R. (2009). for the study and development of microbial fuel cells: an electrochemical Impedance spectroscopy as a tool for non-intrusive detection of extracellular mediators perspective. Chem. Inform 40, 1926–1939. doi: 10.1002/chin.200945273 in microbial fuel cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 104, 882–89
Shun’ichi Ishii, Shino Suzuki, Trina M. Norden‐Krichmar et al.
Ecosystem Science · 2011
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices that exploit microorganisms as biocatalysts to recover energy from organic matter in the form of electricity. One of the goals of MFC research is to develop the technology for cost-effective wastewater treatment. However, before practical MFC applications are implemented it is important to gain fundamental knowledge about long-term system performance, reproducibility, and the formation and maintenance of functionally-stable microbial communities. Here we report findings from a MFC operated for over 300 days using only primary clarifier effluent collected from a municipal wastewater treatment plant as the microbial resource and substrate. The system was operated in a repeat-batch mode, where the reactor solution was replaced once every two weeks with new primary effluent that consisted of different microbial and chemical compositions with every batch exchange. The turbidity of the primary clarifier effluent solution notably decreased, and 97% of biological oxygen demand (BOD) was removed after an 8-13 day residence time for each batch cycle. On average, the limiting current density was 1000 mA/m(2), the maximum power density was 13 mW/m(2), and coulombic efficiency was 25%. Interestingly, the electrochemical performance and BOD removal rates were very reproducible throughout MFC operation regardless of the sample variability associated with each wastewater exchange. While MFC performance was very reproducible, the phylogenetic analyses of anode-associated electricity-generating biofilms showed that the microbial populations temporally fluctuated and maintained a high biodiversity throughout the year-long experiment. These results suggest that MFC communities are both self-selecting and self-optimizing, thereby able to develop and maintain functional stability regardless of fluctuations in carbon source(s) and regular introduction of microbial competitors. These results contribute significantly toward the practical application of MFC systems for long-term wastewater treatment as well as demonstrating MFC technology as a useful device to enrich for functionally stable microbial populations.
Randall Kolb
Science · 2019
The electrode is a key component in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) that needs significant improvement for practical implementation. Accurate and reproducible analytical methods are substantial for the effective development of electrode technology. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) is an essential analytical method for evaluating electrode performance. In this study, inoculated carbon brush (IB), abiotic brush (AB), Pt wire (PtW), stainless steel wire (SSW), and mesh (SSM) were tested to find the most suitable counter electrode under different medium conditions. The coefficient of variation (Cv) of maximum current (Imax) was the most decisive indicator of the reproducibility test. This study shows that (i) the electrode used in operation is an appropriate counter electrode in an acetate-added condition, (ii) the anode LSV test should avoid the use of Pt wire as counter electrodes, and (iii) PtW is an appropriate counter electrode in cathode LSV in all conditions.
· 2010
A method for assessing the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is the polarisation sweep where different external resistances are applied at set intervals (sample rates). The resulting power curves often exhibit an overshoot where both power and current decrease concomitantly. To investigate these phenomena, small-scale (1 mL volume) MFCs operated in continuous flow were subjected to polarisation sweeps under various conditions. At shorter sample rates the overshoot was more exaggerated and power generation was overestimated; sampling at 30 s produced 23% higher maximum power than at 3 min. MFCs with an immature anodic biofilm (5 days) exhibited a double overshoot effect, which disappeared after a sufficient adjustment period (5 weeks). Mature MFCs were subject to overshoot when the anode was fed weak (1mM acetate) feedstock with low conductivity (<100 μS) but not when fed with a higher concentration (20 mM acetate) feedstock with high conductivity (>1500 μS). MFCs developed in a pH neutral environment produced overshoot after the anode had been exposed to acidic (pH 3) conditions for 24 h. In contrast, changes to the cathode both in terms of pH and varying catholyte conductivity, although affecting power output did not result in overshoot, suggesting that this is an anodic phenomenon.
V. A. Epanechnikov
of Environmental Science and Engineering Technology, 2021, 9, 27-36 27 · 2019
In this study, four double-chambered Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) operated by primary effluent wastewater mixed with anaerobic sludge as substrate, was designed, built, and optimized for better higher energy production and subsequently better removal of organic matter. Optimized MFCs operating parameters as a function of energy produced include electrode material type, electrode size, salt bridge diameter, type of salt solution that used in salt bridge, and concentration of the salt solution used in the salt bridge. Three duplicates-MFCs for each parameter value were used. Output open-circuit voltage (OCV) was measured for each MFC one time daily and for one week for each tested operating parameter. Data obtained showed that (i) MFCs with copper electrodes produce output voltage significantly higher than MFCs with carbon brushes electrodes which, in turn, achieved output voltage significantly higher than both that achieved by MFCs with zinc electrodes and MFCs with manufactured carbon electrodes, (ii) MFCs with 10 mm salt bridge shown significantly higher output voltage than MFCs with both 16 and 24 mm salt bridges, (iii) KCl salt bridge in MFCs is significantly more efficient than NaCl salt bridges, and (iv) MFCs with 1M KCl salt bridges can produce output voltage significantly higher than that produced by MFCs with 3M KCl salt bridges.
Chizobam Chikeziri Ihenacho, Campbell Onyeka Akujobi, Henry Uzoma Anuforo et al.
of Power Sources. 2006, 162:1409-1415. · 2018
Low electricity output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has continued to limit their large-scale applications, as bioenergy sources. Thus effects of surface area of anode (0.005 to 0.015 m2), surface area of cathode (0.005 to 0.015 m2) and volume of substrate in anode chamber (750 to 1500 ml), on MFCs voltage output, were optimized. Replicated Box Behnken Design (Minitab) gave 30 runs. After 25 days operation, average voltage generated by MFCs ranged from 7.76±0.28 mV to 34.32±3.2 mV, across 10 kΩ. Response Optimizer (Minitab) indicated 0.011 m2 as optimal surface area of anode, 0.015 m2 for cathode and 1500 mL for volume of substrate in anode chamber, with estimated maximum voltage of 4
Jonathan Winfield, Ioannis Ieropoulos, John Greenman et al.
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering · 2010
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can ‘treat’ wastewater but individually are thermodynamically restricted. Scale-up might, therefore, require a plurality of units operating in a stack which could introduce losses simply through fluidic connections. Experiments were performed on two hydraulically joined MFCs (20 cm apart) where feedstock flowed first through the upstream unit (MFCup) and into the downstream unit (MFCdown) to explore the interactive effect of electrical load connection, influent make-up and flow-rate on electrical outputs. This set-up was also used to investigate how calculating total internal resistance based on a dynamic open circuit voltage (OCV) might differ from using the starting OCV. When fed a highly conductive feedstock (4,800 µS) MFCdown dropped approximately 180 mV as progressively heavier loads were applied to MFCup (independent of flow-rate) due to electron leakages through the medium. The conductivities of plain acetate solutions (5 and 20 mM) were insufficient to induce losses in MFCdown even when MFCup was operating at high current densities. However, at the highest flow-rate (240 mL/h) MFCdown dropped by approximately 100 mV when using 5 and 220 mV using 20 mM acetate. When the distance between MFCs was reduced by 5 cm, voltage drops were apparent even at lower flow-rates, (30 mL/h decreased the voltage by 115 mV when using 20 mM acetate). Shear flow-rates can introduce dissolved oxygen and turbulence all capable of affecting the anodic biofilm and redox conditions. Calculating total internal resistance using a dynamic OCV produced a more stable curve over time compared to that based on the starting constant OCV.
Maria Tengö, Eduardo S. Brondízio, Thomas Elmqvist et al.
MPP Maximum Power Point MPPT Maximum Power · 1998
Wastewater treatment is an energy intensive process and sustainable processes/technologies for the treatment of wastewaters need to be considered. One such contender might be the microbial fuel cell (MFC), a subset of bioelectrochemical system (BES) which generates electricity in the process of electrogenic (generating electrons) degradation of soluble organic contaminants present in the water (or wastewater) by electrogens (electron producing bacteria) at the anode in absence of oxygen. Several issues related to the power performance (also somewhat linked to the cost) of MFCs exist causing barriers in the deployment of up-scaled MFC system and the continual research from a multitude of discipline is focusing on overcoming these issues.
articles, theses, and engineering reports. · 2018
Objectives. The overarching goal of our study is to develop a novel energy-neutral wastewater treatment technology that could aid in water reuse within a forward operation base, reducing water transport. To achieve this, we developed a microbial fuel cell capable of generating hydrogen peroxide as primary product. This technology takes advantage of the high-energy content of blackwater; the microbial fuel cell consumes and converts it into an electrical current that is used to generate significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide can have several uses: (1) direct treatment of graywater towards reuse, (2) tertiary treatment of graywater and/or blackwater, (3) odor control for blackwater, and (4) treatment of blackwater itself for better effluent quality and solids destruction.
of Genetic Engineering · 2021
Background: Although microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising technology for capturing renewable energy from wastewater, their scaling-up is significantly limited by a slow-rate cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the development of a resilient anodic microbial community. In this study, mixed transition metal oxides of nickel and copper (Ni and Cu), supported on a graphene (G) (NiO–CuO/G) electrocatalyst, were synthesized and tested as a cost- effective cathode for ORR in MFCs. Electrochemical measurements of electrocatalyst were conducted using a rotating disk electrode (RDE) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) in a neutral electrolyte, and compared with a benchmark Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, the long-term performance of the as-synthesized electrocatalyst was evaluated in a single- chamber MFC by measuring organic matter removal and polarization behavior. The successful enrichment of electro‑ active biofilm was also monitored using transmission electron microscopy and the Vitek2 compact system technique. Results: When compared with the benchmark platinum cathode, the NiO–CuO/G electrocatalyst exhibited high selectivity toward ORR. The rotating disk electrode (RDE) experiments reveal that ORR proceeds via a 4-electron ORR mechanism. Furthermore, the NiO–CuO/G electrocatalyst also exhibited a high power density of 2
Ridvan Umaz
Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi · 2025
This paper presents an energy harvesting architecture that accommodates two microbial energy sources and delivers power supply synchronously to two loads. The proposed architecture enables the maximum power extraction from the first energy source, whereas the second source is disabled. However, once the first energy source is impaired (i.e., not working), the second energy source becomes the primary energy source in the architecture, and the first energy source is decoupled from the system. The measurement result of the proposed architecture, implemented with the off-the-shelf components and tested with two emulated MFCs, demonstrates a peak efficiency of 56.51%, which is the highest end-to-end efficiency among prior work. The proposed architecture can operate from a minimum input voltage of 0.3 V and simultaneously regulate two outputs to constant voltages of nearly 3.7 V and 5 V.