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Microbial Fuel Cells, A Current Review

Author

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  • Ashley E. Franks

    (Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA)

  • Kelly P. Nevin

    (Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA)

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices that can use bacterial metabolism to produce an electrical current from a wide range organic substrates. Due to the promise of sustainable energy production from organic wastes, research has intensified in this field in the last few years. While holding great promise only a few marine sediment MFCs have been used practically, providing current for low power devices. To further improve MFC technology an understanding of the limitations and microbiology of these systems is required. Some researchers are uncovering that the greatest value of MFC technology may not be the production of electricity but the ability of electrode associated microbes to degrade wastes and toxic chemicals. We conclude that for further development of MFC applications, a greater focus on understanding the microbial processes in MFC systems is required.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley E. Franks & Kelly P. Nevin, 2010. "Microbial Fuel Cells, A Current Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 3(5), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:3:y:2010:i:5:p:899-919:d:8125
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gemma Reguera & Kevin D. McCarthy & Teena Mehta & Julie S. Nicoll & Mark T. Tuominen & Derek R. Lovley, 2005. "Extracellular electron transfer via microbial nanowires," Nature, Nature, vol. 435(7045), pages 1098-1101, June.
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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. Gagandeep Kaur & Yadwinder Singh Brar & D.P. Kothari, 2017. "Potential of Livestock Generated Biomass: Untapped Energy Source in India," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Wang, Yong-Peng & Liu, Xian-Wei & Li, Wen-Wei & Li, Feng & Wang, Yun-Kun & Sheng, Guo-Ping & Zeng, Raymond J. & Yu, Han-Qing, 2012. "A microbial fuel cell–membrane bioreactor integrated system for cost-effective wastewater treatment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 230-235.
    4. Zeng, Qingyi & Bai, Jing & Li, Jinhua & Li, Linsen & Xia, Ligang & Zhou, Baoxue & Sun, Yugang, 2018. "Highly-stable and efficient photocatalytic fuel cell based on an epitaxial TiO2/WO3/W nanothorn photoanode and enhanced radical reactions for simultaneous electricity production and wastewater treatme," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 127-137.
    5. Anna Sekrecka-Belniak & Renata Toczyłowska-Mamińska, 2018. "Fungi-Based Microbial Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Barbara Włodarczyk & Paweł P. Włodarczyk, 2023. "Electricity Production from Yeast Wastewater in Membrane-Less Microbial Fuel Cell with Cu-Ag Cathode," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-13, March.
    7. Kabutey, Felix Tetteh & Zhao, Qingliang & Wei, Liangliang & Ding, Jing & Antwi, Philip & Quashie, Frank Koblah & Wang, Weiye, 2019. "An overview of plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs): Configurations and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 402-414.
    8. Yifan Yu & Jafar Ali & Yuesuo Yang & Peijing Kuang & Wenjing Zhang & Ying Lu & Yan Li, 2022. "Synchronous Cr(VI) Remediation and Energy Production Using Microbial Fuel Cell from a Subsurface Environment: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, March.
    9. Nikhil, G.N. & Venkata Subhash, G. & Yeruva, Dileep Kumar & Venkata Mohan, S., 2015. "Synergistic yield of dual energy forms through biocatalyzed electrofermentation of waste: Stoichiometric analysis of electron and carbon distribution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 281-291.
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    11. Choudhury, Payel & Uday, Uma Shankar Prasad & Mahata, Nibedita & Nath Tiwari, Onkar & Narayan Ray, Rup & Kanti Bandyopadhyay, Tarun & Bhunia, Biswanath, 2017. "Performance improvement of microbial fuel cells for waste water treatment along with value addition: A review on past achievements and recent perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 372-389.
    12. 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.
    13. Ching Yi Hong & Khalida Muda & Hazlami Fikri Basri & Armstrong Ighodalo Omoregie & Jauharah Md Khudzari & Nur Shahidah Aftar Ali & Farhan Mohd Pauzi, 2024. "Discovering research evolution and emerging trends in ammonium wastewater treatment technologies: a bibliometric analysis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(9), pages 21877-21911, September.
    14. Zhijie Duan & Luo Zhang & Lili Feng & Shuguang Yu & Zengyou Jiang & Xiaoming Xu & Jichao Hong, 2021. "Research on Economic and Operating Characteristics of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars Based on Real Vehicle Tests," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
    15. Venkata Mohan, S. & Velvizhi, G. & Annie Modestra, J. & Srikanth, S., 2014. "Microbial fuel cell: Critical factors regulating bio-catalyzed electrochemical process and recent advancements," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 779-797.
    16. Gupte, Ameya Pankaj & Basaglia, Marina & Casella, Sergio & Favaro, Lorenzo, 2022. "Rice waste streams as a promising source of biofuels: feedstocks, biotechnologies and future perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    17. Slate, Anthony J. & Whitehead, Kathryn A. & Brownson, Dale A.C. & Banks, Craig E., 2019. "Microbial fuel cells: An overview of current technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 60-81.
    18. Paweł P. Włodarczyk & Barbara Włodarczyk, 2018. "Microbial Fuel Cell with Ni–Co Cathode Powered with Yeast Wastewater," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-9, November.
    19. Yadav, Ashish & Verma, Nishith, 2019. "Efficient hydrogen production using Ni-graphene oxide-dispersed laser-engraved 3D carbon micropillars as electrodes for microbial electrolytic cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 628-638.
    20. Renata Toczyłowska-Mamińska & Karolina Szymona & Patryk Król & Karol Gliniewicz & Katarzyna Pielech-Przybylska & Monika Kloch & Bruce E. Logan, 2018. "Evolving Microbial Communities in Cellulose-Fed Microbial Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, January.

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