Microbial electrochemical technologies: Electronic circuitry and characterization tools.

Abstract

Microbial electrochemistry merges microbiology, electrochemistry and electronics to provide a set of technologies for environmental engineering applications. Understanding the electronic concepts is crucial for effectively adopting these systems, but the importance of electronic circuitry is often overlooked by microbial electrochemistry researchers. This review provides the background on the electronics and electrochemical concepts involved in the study of microorganisms interacting with electricity, and their applications in microbial electrochemical technology (MET). The potentiostat circuitry is described along with its working principles. Electrochemical analyses are presented together with the rational and parameters employed to study MET devices and electroactive microorganisms. Finally, future directions are delineated towards the adoption of MET, and the related electronics, in environmental engineering applications.

Key findings

• ▸Microbial electrochemistry merges microbiology, electrochemistry, and electronics to provide technologies for environmental engineering applications.
• ▸Understanding electronic concepts is crucial for effectively adopting MET systems.
• ▸The potentiostat circuitry is described along with its working principles.

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1016/j.bios.2019.111884

PubMed

31780409

Journal

Biosensors & bioelectronics

Year

2020