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Overview of Recent Advancements in the Microbial Fuel Cell from Fundamentals to Applications: Design, Major Elements, and Scalability

Author

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  • Sami G. A. Flimban

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
    Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Iqbal M. I. Ismail

    (Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Taeyoung Kim

    (Green Energy Institute, 177 Samhyangcheon-ro, Mokpo, Jeollanam-do 58656, Korea)

  • Sang-Eun Oh

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon 24341, Korea)

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology offers an alternative means for producing energy from waste products. In this review, several characteristics of MFC technology that make it revolutionary will be highlighted. First, a brief history presents how bioelectrochemical systems have advanced, ultimately describing the development of microbial fuel cells. Second, the focus is shifted to the attributes that enable MFCs to work efficiently. Next, follows the design of various MFC systems in use including their components and how they are assembled, along with an explanation of how they work. Finally, microbial fuel cell designs and types of main configurations used are presented along with the scalability of the technology for proper application. The present review shows importance of design and elements to reduce energy loss for scaling up the MFC system including the type of electrode, shape of the single reactor, electrical connection method, stack direction, and modulation. These aspects precede making economically applicable large-scale MFCs (over 1 m 3 scale) a reality.

Suggested Citation

  • Sami G. A. Flimban & Iqbal M. I. Ismail & Taeyoung Kim & Sang-Eun Oh, 2019. "Overview of Recent Advancements in the Microbial Fuel Cell from Fundamentals to Applications: Design, Major Elements, and Scalability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:17:p:3390-:d:263505
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walter, Xavier Alexis & Stinchcombe, Andrew & Greenman, John & Ieropoulos, Ioannis, 2017. "Urine transduction to usable energy: A modular MFC approach for smartphone and remote system charging," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 575-581.
    2. Mateo, S. & Cantone, A. & Cañizares, P. & Fernández-Morales, F.J. & Scialdone, O. & Rodrigo, M.A., 2018. "On the staking of miniaturized air-breathing microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 1-8.
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    Cited by:

    1. Barbara Włodarczyk & Paweł P. Włodarczyk, 2020. "The Membrane-Less Microbial Fuel Cell (ML-MFC) with Ni-Co and Cu-B Cathode Powered by the Process Wastewater from Yeast Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Fan Zhao & Yini Chen & Shiyang Zhang & Meng Li & Xinhua Tang, 2023. "Three-Dimensional Carbon Monolith Coated by Nano-TiO 2 for Anode Enhancement in Microbial Fuel Cells," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Qusay Hassan & Itimad D. J. Azzawi & Aws Zuhair Sameen & Hayder M. Salman, 2023. "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: Opportunities and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-26, July.
    4. Maria G. Savvidou & Pavlos K. Pandis & Diomi Mamma & Georgia Sourkouni & Christos Argirusis, 2022. "Organic Waste Substrates for Bioenergy Production via Microbial Fuel Cells: A Key Point Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-53, August.
    5. Opoku, Prince Atta & Jingyu, Huang & Yi, Li & Ewusi-Mensah, David & Miwornunyuie, Nicholas, 2023. "Scalability of the multi-anode plug flow microbial fuel cell as a sustainable prospect for large-scale design," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 693-702.
    6. Miriam Cerrillo & Laura Burgos & August Bonmatí, 2021. "Biogas Upgrading and Ammonia Recovery from Livestock Manure Digestates in a Combined Electromethanogenic Biocathode—Hydrophobic Membrane System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-12, January.
    7. Ahmed, Shams Forruque & Mofijur, M. & Islam, Nafisa & Parisa, Tahlil Ahmed & Rafa, Nazifa & Bokhari, Awais & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Indra Mahlia, Teuku Meurah, 2022. "Insights into the development of microbial fuel cells for generating biohydrogen, bioelectricity, and treating wastewater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
    8. Hugo Guillermo Jimenez Pacheco & Abdel Alejandro Portocarrero Banda & Eric Ivan Vilca Cayllahua & Lilia Mary Miranda Ramos & Victor Ludgardo Alvarez Tohalino & Herbert Jesús Del Carpio Beltran & Pavel, 2023. "New Electrogenic Microorganism Citrobacter sp. Isolated from Microbial Fuel Cell and Bacterial Characteristics Determination," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-13, March.
    9. Azize Ayol & Luciana Peixoto & Tugba Keskin & Haris Nalakath Abubackar, 2021. "Reactor Designs and Configurations for Biological and Bioelectrochemical C1 Gas Conversion: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-36, November.
    10. Dziegielowski, Jakub & Metcalfe, Benjamin & Villegas-Guzman, Paola & Martínez-Huitle, Carlos A. & Gorayeb, Adryane & Wenk, Jannis & Di Lorenzo, Mirella, 2020. "Development of a functional stack of soil microbial fuel cells to power a water treatment reactor: From the lab to field trials in North East Brazil," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    11. Asiah Sukri & Raihan Othman & Firdaus Abd-Wahab & Noraini M. Noor, 2021. "Self-Sustaining Bioelectrochemical Cell from Fungal Degradation of Lignin-Rich Agrowaste," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-11, April.

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