Discover insights from thousands of peer-reviewed papers on microbial electrochemical systems
Journal of Environmental Management · 2021
Current Opinion in Biotechnology · 2019
International Journal of Coal Geology · 2016
Chemical Engineering Journal · 2015
Environmental Chemistry Letters · 2024
Abstract Anaerobic digestion constitutes a sustainable method for waste management and renewable energy generation, addressing significant environmental and societal challenges. The growing global waste crisis and the increasing momentum toward sustainable energy solutions emphasize the critical need to enhance anaerobic digestion technology for improved efficiency and environmental advantages. This process mitigates waste accumulation, enhances energy security, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, providing a feasible solution within the framework of a circular bioeconomy. Here, we review the principles of anaerobic digestion and biogas production, focusing on agricultural waste and the utilization of biogas for energy within a sustainable framework. We specifically explore biogas applications in rural and industrial settings, assess the environmental impacts, and discuss the regulatory landscape with insights from China and Europe. This study reveals that the strategic implementation of anaerobic digestion can markedly improve energy yield and sustainability, demonstrating how focused policies and advanced technological practices can optimize biogas utilization. The review enhances comprehension of environmental impacts, emphasizing insights from China and Europe as key examples.
Microbes and Environments · 2015
Extracellular electron transfer (EET) is a type of microbial respiration that enables electron transfer between microbial cells and extracellular solid materials, including naturally-occurring metal compounds and artificial electrodes. Microorganisms harboring EET abilities have received considerable attention for their various biotechnological applications, in addition to their contribution to global energy and material cycles. In this review, current knowledge on microbial EET and its application to diverse biotechnologies, including the bioremediation of toxic metals, recovery of useful metals, biocorrosion, and microbial electrochemical systems (microbial fuel cells and microbial electrosynthesis), were introduced. Two potential biotechnologies based on microbial EET, namely the electrochemical control of microbial metabolism and electrochemical stimulation of microbial symbiotic reactions (electric syntrophy), were also discussed.
Trends in biotechnology · 2019
Bioresource Technology · 2021
Water Science & Technology · 2015
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an innovative technology that was initially designed to harness energy from organic waste using microorganisms. It is striking how many promising applications beyond energy production have been explored in recent decades. In particular, MFC-based biosensors are considered to be the next generation biosensing technology for environmental monitoring. This review describes recent advances in this emerging technology of MFC-based biosensors, with a special emphasis on monitoring of biochemical oxygen demand and toxicity in the environment. The progress confirms that MFC-based biosensors could be used as self-powered portable biosensing devices with great potential in long-term and remote environmental monitoring.
Applied Energy · 2018
Comparing alternative fuels with po- tential for low-carbon intensities.
Bioresource Technology · 2020
ChemSusChem · 2020
Lignin is the largest source of renewable aromatic compounds, making the recovery of aromatic compounds from this material a significant scientific goal. Recently, many studies have reported on lignin depolymerization and upgrading strategies. Electrochemical approaches are considered to be low cost, reagent free, and environmentally friendly, and can be carried out under mild reaction conditions. In this Review, different electrochemical lignin conversion strategies, including electrooxidation, electroreduction, hybrid electro-oxidation and reduction, and combinations of electrochemical and other processes (e. g., biological, solar) for lignin depolymerization and upgrading are discussed in detail. In addition to lignin conversion, electrochemical lignin fractionation from biomass and black liquor is also briefly discussed. Finally, the outlook and challenges for electrochemical lignin conversion are presented.
Bioresource Technology · 2015
Behavioural Neurology · 2017
With the increase in the elderly, stroke has become a common disease, often leading to motor dysfunction and even permanent disability. Lower-limb rehabilitation robots can help patients to carry out reasonable and effective training to improve the motor function of paralyzed extremity. In this paper, the developments of lower-limb rehabilitation robots in the past decades are reviewed. Specifically, we provide a classification, a comparison, and a design overview of the driving modes, training paradigm, and control strategy of the lower-limb rehabilitation robots in the reviewed literature. A brief review on the gait detection technology of lower-limb rehabilitation robots is also presented. Finally, we discuss the future directions of the lower-limb rehabilitation robots.
Frontiers in Materials · 2019
The nonvolatility, structure-tunability and high CO2 uptake capacity render ionic liquids (ILs) the most exciting materials for the carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and fixation to value-added chemicals. The aim of this mini-review is to give a brief idea about the development of the potential ILs for CO2 capture, the mechanism involved in the CO2 binding and the application of ILs in the conversion of CO2 to useful chemicals. The mechanisms and nature of interactions in between IL-CO2 have been discussed in terms of the nature of cation, anion, presence of functional group and the extent of interaction between the components of ILs. The fixation of CO2 to linear and cyclic carbonates and electroreduction of CO2 to carbon-rich fuels in ILs has been accounted in detail. At the end, future challenges in terms of commercializing the ILs for CO2 capture and utilization technology are discussed.
Frontiers in Microbiology · 2015
Electrodes are unnatural electron acceptors, and it is yet unknown how some Geobacter species evolved to use electrodes as terminal electron acceptors. Analysis of different Geobacter species revealed that they varied in their capacity for current production. Geobacter metallireducens and G. hydrogenophilus generated high current densities (ca. 0.2 mA/cm(2)), comparable to G. sulfurreducens. G. bremensis, G. chapellei, G. humireducens, and G. uraniireducens, produced much lower currents (ca. 0.05 mA/cm(2)) and G. bemidjiensis was previously found to not produce current. There was no correspondence between the effectiveness of current generation and Fe(III) oxide reduction rates. Some high-current-density strains (G. metallireducens and G. hydrogenophilus) reduced Fe(III)-oxides as fast as some low-current-density strains (G. bremensis, G. humireducens, and G. uraniireducens) whereas other low-current-density strains (G. bemidjiensis and G. chapellei) reduced Fe(III) oxide as slowly as G. sulfurreducens, a high-current-density strain. However, there was a correspondence between the ability to produce higher currents and the ability to grow syntrophically. G. hydrogenophilus was found to grow in co-culture with Methanosarcina barkeri, which is capable of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), but not with Methanospirillum hungatei capable only of H2 or formate transfer. Conductive granular activated carbon (GAC) stimulated metabolism of the G. hydrogenophilus - M. barkeri co-culture, consistent with electron exchange via DIET. These findings, coupled with the previous finding that G. metallireducens and G. sulfurreducens are also capable of DIET, suggest that evolution to optimize DIET has fortuitously conferred the capability for high-density current production to some Geobacter species.
Microbial Cell Factories · 2023
A subject of great interest is the bioprospecting of microorganisms and their bioactive byproducts, such as pigments. Microbial pigments have various benefits, including being safe to use due to their natural makeup, having therapeutic effects, and being produced all year round, regardless of the weather or location. Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces phenazine pigments that are crucial for interactions between Pseudomonas species and other living things. Pyocyanin pigment, which is synthesized by 90-95% of P. aeruginosa, has potent antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Herein, we will concentrate on the production and extraction of pyocyanin pigment and its biological use in different areas of biotechnology, engineering, and biology.
Biotechnology Reports · 2020
Anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (APB) are a phylogenetically diverse group of organisms that can harness solar energy for their growth and metabolism. These bacteria vary broadly in terms of their metabolism as well as the composition of their photosynthetic apparatus. Unlike oxygenic phototrophic bacteria such as algae and cyanobacteria, APB can use both organic and inorganic electron donors for light-dependent fixation of carbon dioxide without generating oxygen. Their versatile metabolism, ability to adapt in extreme conditions, low maintenance cost and high biomass yield make APB ideal for wastewater treatment, resource recovery and in the production of high value substances. This review highlights the advantages of APB over algae and cyanobacteria, and their applications in photo-bioelectrochemical systems, production of poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates, single-cell protein, biofertilizers and pigments. The ecology of ABP, their distinguishing factors, various physiochemical parameters governing the production of high-value substances and future directions of APB utilization are also discussed.
Biosensors · 2015
The provision of safe water and adequate sanitation in developing countries is a must. A range of chemical and biological methods are currently used to ensure the safety of water for consumption. These methods however suffer from high costs, complexity of use and inability to function onsite and in real time. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has great potential for the rapid and simple testing of the quality of water sources. MFCs have the advantages of high simplicity and possibility for onsite and real time monitoring. Depending on the choice of manufacturing materials, this technology can also be highly cost effective. This review covers the state-of-the-art research on MFC sensors for water quality monitoring, and explores enabling factors for their use in developing countries.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology · 2022
This review provides an update to the last mini-review with the same title pertaining to recent developments in bioleaching and biooxidation published in 2013 (Brierley and Brierley). In the intervening almost 10 years, microbial processes for sulfide minerals have seen increased acceptance and ongoing but also declining commercial application in copper, gold, nickel and cobalt production. These processes have been applied to heap and tank leaching, nowadays termed biomining, but increasing concerns about the social acceptance of mining has also seen the re-emergence of in situ leaching and quest for broader applicability beyond uranium and copper. Besides metal sulfide oxidation, mineral dissolution via reductive microbial activities has seen experimental application to laterite minerals. And as resources decline or costs for their exploitation rise, mine waste rock and tailings have become more attractive to consider as easily accessible resources. As an advantage, they have already been removed from the ground and in some cases contain ore grades exceeding that of those currently being mined. These factors promote concepts of circular economy and efficient use and valorization of waste materials. KEY POINTS: • Bioleaching of copper sulfide ore deposits is producing less copper today • Biooxidation of refractory gold ores is producing more gold than in the past • Available data suggest bioleaching and biooxidation processes reduce carbon emissions.
Recycling · 2022
Lithium-ion batteries have become a crucial part of the energy supply chain for transportation (in electric vehicles) and renewable energy storage systems. Recycling is considered one of the most effective ways for recovering the materials for spent LIB streams and circulating the material in the critical supply chain. However, few review articles have been published in the research domain of recycling and the circular economy, with most mainly focusing on either recycling methods or the challenges and opportunities in the circular economy for spent LIBs. This paper reviewed 93 articles (66 original research articles and 27 review articles) identified in the Web of Science core collection database. The study showed that publications in the area are increasing exponentially, with many focusing on recycling and recovery-related issues; policy and regulatory affairs received less attention than recycling. Most of the studies were experiments followed by evaluation and planning (as per the categorization made). Pre-treatment processes were widely discussed, which is a critical part of hydrometallurgy and direct physical recycling (DPR). DPR is a promising recycling technique that requires further attention. Some of the issues that require further consideration include a techno-economic assessment of the recycling process, safe reverse logistics, a global EV assessment revealing material recovery potential, and a lifecycle assessment of experiments processes (both in the hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes). Furthermore, the application of the circular business model and associated stakeholders’ engagement, clear and definitive policy guidelines, extended producer responsibility implications, and material tracking, and identification deserve further focus. This study presents several future research directions that would be useful for academics and policymakers taking necessary steps such as product design, integrated recycling techniques, intra-industry stakeholder cooperation, business model development, techno-economic analysis, and others towards achieving a circular economy in the LIB value chain.
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · 2015
Abstract BACKGROUND Microbial electrosynthesis represents a promising approach for renewable energy storage in which chemically stable compounds are produced using CO 2 as feedstock. This report describes the continuous production of acetate through microbial electrosynthesis from CO 2 and assesses how the production rates could be increased. RESULTS A continuous acetate production rate of 0.98 mmol C L NCC −1 d −1 was obtained using CO 2 as feedstock and with pH control around 5.8. These conditions increased substrate availability and favoured microbial electrosynthesis. Cyclic voltammograms demonstrated the electroautotrophic activity on the biocathode surface, which increased with pH control and caused current demand and acetate production rate to rise exponentially. CONCLUSION pH decrease was shown to be an effective strategy to increase substrate availability and enhance microbial electrosynthesis. By making microbial electrosynthesis a feasible technology, CO 2 could become an alternative feedstock for the carboxylate platform. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Catalysts · 2020
Electrocatalysis plays a prominent role in the development of carbon dioxide utilisation technologies. Many new and improved CO2 conversion catalysts have been developed in recent years, progressively achieving better performance. However, within this flourishing field, a disconnect in catalyst performance evaluation has emerged as the Achilles heel of CO2 electrolysis. Too often, catalysts are assessed in electrochemical settings that are far removed from industrially relevant operational conditions, where CO2 mass transport limitations should be minimised. To overcome this issue, gas diffusion electrodes and gas-fed electrolysers need to be developed and applied, presenting new challenges and opportunities to the CO2 electrolysis community. In this review, we introduce the reader to the fundamentals of gas diffusion electrodes and gas-fed electrolysers, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. We discuss in detail the design of gas diffusion electrodes and their operation within gas-fed electrolysers in both flow-through and flow-by configurations. Then, we correlate the structure and composition of gas diffusion electrodes to the operational performance of electrolysers, indicating options and prospects for improvement. Overall, this study will equip the reader with the fundamental understanding required to enhance and optimise CO2 catalysis beyond the laboratory scale.
Chemical Engineering Journal · 2018
Water Research · 2015
International Journal of Energy Research · 2017
Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are different from microbial fuel cells because they are completely anoxic and lack a membrane. SMFCs are a novel technology for the simultaneous production of renewable energy and bioremediation of heavy metals. Recently, SMFCs have attracted the attention of many researchers because of their moderate functioning parameters and ability to use a range of biodegradable substrates like glucose, glutamic acid, river water, cysteine, acetate, and starch. The inocula used in SMFCs include river sediment, marine sediment, and wastewater. For power generation, many exoelectrogens in SMFCs have the ability to transfer electrons from electrodes by using natural electron shuttles. Exoelectrogens use four primary pathways to transfer electrons to the electrodes, including short-range electron transfer through redox-active proteins, soluble electron shuttling molecules, long-range electron transport by conductive pili, and direct interspecies electron transfer. The most dominant mechanism is long-range electron transfer via conductive pili because pili have metal-like conductivity. The powering by microbes is an emerging technique for the remediation of heavy metals from sediments. The pathways for transferring electrons in electrotrophs operate in the opposite direction from those in exoelectrogens. To further upgrade SMFC technology, this review targets the prototype, operating factors, working mechanisms, applications, and future perspectives of SMFCs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · 2015
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are emerging as a sustainable technology for waste to energy conversion where electrode materials play a vital role on its performance. Platinum (Pt) is the most common material used as cathode catalyst in the MFCs. However, the high cost and low earth abundance associated with Pt prompt the researcher to explore inexpensive catalysts. The present study demonstrates a noble metal-free MFC using a manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4)/polyaniline (PANI)-based electrode material. The MnFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and MnFe2O4 NPs/PANI hybrid composite not only exhibited superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity for the air cathode but also enhanced anode half-cell potential upon modifying carbon cloth anode in the single-chambered MFC. This is attributed to the improved extracellular electron transfer of exoelectrogens due to Fe(3+) in MnFe2O4 and its capacitive nature. The present work demonstrates for the first time the dual property of MnFe2O4 NPs/PANI, i.e., as cathode catalyst and an anode modifier, thereby promising cost-effective MFCs for practical applications.
Chemosphere · 2020
Bioresource Technology · 2022
Journal of Environmental Management · 2020
With an estimated worldwide production of 190 billion kg per year, and due to its high organic load, cheese whey represents a huge opportunity for bioenergy and biochemicals production. Several physical, chemical and biological processes have been proposed to valorise cheese whey by producing biofuels (methane, hydrogen, and ethanol), electric energy, and/or chemical commodities (carboxylic acids, proteins, and biopolymers). A biorefinery concept, in which several value-added products are obtained from cheese whey through a cascade of biotechnological processes, is an opportunity for increasing the product spectrum of dairy industries while allowing for sustainable management of the residual streams and reducing disposal costs for the final residues. This review critically analyses the different treatment options available for energy and materials recovery from cheese whey, their combinations and perspectives for implementation. Thus, instead of focusing on a specific valorisation platform, in the present review the most relevant aspects of each strategy are analysed to support the integration of different routes, in order to identify the most appropriate treatment train.
Bioresource Technology · 2017
Bioresource Technology · 2017
Indoor and Built Environment · 2018
This paper reviews the state of art of vegetation systems and their effect on the indoor environmental quality (IEQ), based on scientific studies from the past 30 years. Some studies have shown that biophilic workspaces and interaction with plants may change human attitudes, behaviours, improve productivity and the overall well-being. Evapotranspiration from plants helps lowering the temperature around the planting environment and this can be utilised for air cooling and humidity control. Also, indoor greenery can be used to reduce sound levels as a passive acoustic insulation system. Living wall systems in combination with biofiltration are emerging technologies to provide beneficial effects on improvement of indoor comfort. Several studies have indicated that green systems may improve indoor air quality and that they have different pathways for pollutant removal of volatile organic compounds. The plant root zone in potted plants may be an effective area for removing volatile organic compounds under controlled conditions. In conclusion, the full capacity of plants in real-life settings will need to be clarified to establish the true pollutant-removal mechanisms and the general effect on IEQ. The effects of green systems in combination with mechanical elements such as conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning would need to be studied.
FEMS Microbiology Reviews · 2023
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a phenomenon of increasing concern that affects various materials and sectors of society. MIC describes the effects, often negative, that a material can experience due to the presence of microorganisms. Unfortunately, although several research groups and industrial actors worldwide have already addressed MIC, discussions are fragmented, while information sharing and willingness to reach out to other disciplines are limited. A truly interdisciplinary approach, which would be logical for this material/biology/chemistry-related challenge, is rarely taken. In this review, we highlight critical non-biological aspects of MIC that can sometimes be overlooked by microbiologists working on MIC but are highly relevant for an overall understanding of this phenomenon. Here, we identify gaps, methods, and approaches to help solve MIC-related challenges, with an emphasis on the MIC of metals. We also discuss the application of existing tools and approaches for managing MIC and propose ideas to promote an improved understanding of MIC. Furthermore, we highlight areas where the insights and expertise of microbiologists are needed to help progress this field.
Desalination · 2015
Frontiers in Microbiology · 2015
High current densities in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) result from the predominance of various Geobacter species on the anode, but it is not known if archaeal communities similarly converge to one specific genus. MECs were examined here on the basis of maximum methane production and current density relative to the inoculum community structure. We used anaerobic digester (AD) sludge dominated by acetoclastic Methanosaeta, and an anaerobic bog sediment where hydrogenotrophic methanogens were detected. Inoculation using solids to medium ratio of 25% (w/v) resulted in the highest methane production rates (0.27 mL mL(-1) cm(-2), gas volume normalized by liquid volume and cathode projected area) and highest peak current densities (0.5 mA cm(-2)) for the bog sample. Methane production was independent of solid to medium ratio when AD sludge was used as the inoculum. 16S rRNA gene community analysis using pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR confirmed the convergence of Archaea to Methanobacterium and Methanobrevibacter, and of Bacteria to Geobacter, despite their absence in AD sludge. Combined with other studies, these findings suggest that Archaea of the hydrogenotrophic genera Methanobacterium and Methanobrevibacter are the most important microorganisms for methane production in MECs and that their presence in the inoculum improves the performance.
ACS Catalysis · 2020
Artificial photosynthesis is a promising strategy to convert carbon dioxide into value-added fuels and chemicals with efficient sunlight utilization. Nevertheless, there are many shortcomings, such as high photogenerated electron–hole recombination rate and poor light stability, that hinder the further development of artificial photosynthesis. Thus, inspired by the natural photosynthesis of green plants, a 3D spatial reticulation all-solid-state artificial direct Z-scheme photocatalyst is manufactured to solve the above problems by using a graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) shell encapsulating Cu2O nanowire arrays/Cu mesh (g-C3N4/Cu2O NAs/CM). Consequently, the CH3OH formation rate and the selectivity of g-C3N4/Cu2O NAs reached 22.6 ppm cm–2 h–1 and 94.9% under solar light irradiation, respectively. More importantly, the material retained 94.7% of its primary catalytic activity after 60 h test (ten reaction cycles). It is attributed to the protective g-C3N4 layer and the synergetic effect between interface carrier separation modulation and relatively short radial transmission channel design. This strategy provides unique insights into the design and preparation of efficient practical photocatalysts for energy synthesis.
Electrochemistry Communications · 2015
Chemical Engineering Journal · 2017