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Microbial Fuel Cells II
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Microbial Fuel Cells II

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2023) | Viewed by 14792

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Chikashi Sato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Ave., Stop 8060, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA
Interests: energy recovery; microbial fuel cell; advanced oxidation process; pharmaceuticals and personal care products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) generates electricity with the help of electrochemically active bacteria, degrading abundant, renewable organic matter, which can be environmental pollutants present in wastewater. Thus, MFC can be one of the sustainable energy generation systems of the future. Furthermore, MFC technology has evolved into other viable applications, such as removal of toxic substances, nutrient recovery, environmental quality monitoring sensors, and implantable health devices.

Since the discovery of microbial electrical energy over a century ago, MFC technology has made significant advances in energy generation and recovery. This Special Issue will focus on recent revolutionary MFC technologies in terms of biological and non-biological catalysts, construction materials, design, operation, and applications.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Dr. Chikashi Sato
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microbial fuel cell
  • bioelectricity generation
  • resource recovery
  • viable applications

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1513 KiB  
Article
Microbial Fuel Cell Equipped with Bipolar Membrane Using Iron (III) Hydroxide as Final Electron Acceptor
by Iori Kazama, Yuji Aso, Tomonari Tanaka and Hitomi Ohara
Energies 2023, 16(6), 2527; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16062527 - 07 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1452
Abstract
In this paper, we presented a novel microbial fuel cell (bMFC) structure, with a bipolar membrane separating the anode and cathode chambers. A bipolar membrane divides the bMFC into anode and cathode chambers. The bipolar membrane comprises anion and cation exchange layers. The [...] Read more.
In this paper, we presented a novel microbial fuel cell (bMFC) structure, with a bipolar membrane separating the anode and cathode chambers. A bipolar membrane divides the bMFC into anode and cathode chambers. The bipolar membrane comprises anion and cation exchange layers. The anode chamber side has the cation exchange layer, while the cathode chamber side has the anion exchange layer. The anode chamber of the bMFC was loaded with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and lactic acid, while the cathode chamber was loaded with pure water and iron (III) hydroxide. The bMFC generated electrons for 20 days at a maximum current density of 30 mA/m2 and the ohmic resistance value was estimated to be 500 Ω. During the operation of the bMFC, both the anode and cathode chambers kept anaerobic conditions. There was no platinum catalyst in the cathode chamber, which is required for the reaction of protons with oxygen. Therefore, oxygen could not serve as an electron acceptor in the bMFC. We considered a bMFC mechanism in which protons produced by S. oneidensis react with hydroxide ions, the counter anions of Fe3+, inside the bipolar membrane to produce water. In other words, the electron acceptor in bMFC would be Fe3+. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Fuel Cells II)
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19 pages, 2583 KiB  
Article
Coupling Microbial Fuel Cell and Hydroponic System for Electricity Generation, Organic Removal, and Nutrient Recovery via Plant Production from Wastewater
by N. Evelin Paucar and Chikashi Sato
Energies 2022, 15(23), 9211; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15239211 - 05 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2273
Abstract
The world is predicted to face serious threats from the depletion of non-renewable energy resources, freshwater shortage, and food scarcity. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are innovative bio-electrochemical devices capable of directly converting chemical energy into electrical energy using microorganisms as a catalyst. This [...] Read more.
The world is predicted to face serious threats from the depletion of non-renewable energy resources, freshwater shortage, and food scarcity. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are innovative bio-electrochemical devices capable of directly converting chemical energy into electrical energy using microorganisms as a catalyst. This ability has been explored for generating electricity using wastewater as an energy source, while simultaneously treating wastewater. On the other hand, hydroponics is the cultivation of plants in water without soil. The goal of this study was to develop a novel integrated microbial fuel cell-hydroponic system (MFC-Hyp system) that possesses the ability to concurrently generate electricity while degrading organic pollutants (Chemical oxygen demand, COD) in wastewater, remove and recover nutrients (phosphorus, P and nitrogen, N) from the wastewater, and produce edible plants. The MFC-Hyp system developed in this study produced a power density of 250.7 mW/m2. The power density increased by approximately 19% and the phosphorus recovery increased to 7.5% in the presence of Allium tuberosum compared to 4.9% without the plant (e.g., in the control). The removal efficiencies of nitrate, phosphate, and COD are 32%, 11%, and 80%, respectively. The results indicate that the novel integrated MFC-Hyp system can remove COD from wastewater, generate electricity using wastewater as an energy source, and utilize nutrients for growing plants; however, this system requires further improvement for field implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Fuel Cells II)
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11 pages, 2258 KiB  
Article
The Influence of External Load on the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells
by Szymon Potrykus, Luis Fernando León-Fernández, Janusz Nieznański, Dariusz Karkosiński and Francisco Jesus Fernandez-Morales
Energies 2021, 14(3), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030612 - 26 Jan 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 1949
Abstract
In this work, the effect of the external load on the current and power generation, as well as on the pollutant removal by microbial fuel cells (MFCs), has been studied by step-wise modifying the external load. The load changes included a direct scan, [...] Read more.
In this work, the effect of the external load on the current and power generation, as well as on the pollutant removal by microbial fuel cells (MFCs), has been studied by step-wise modifying the external load. The load changes included a direct scan, in which the external resistance was increased from 120 Ω to 3300 Ω, and a subsequent reverse scan, in which the external resistance was decreased back to 120 Ω. The reduction in the current, experienced when increasing the external resistance, was maintained even in the reverse scan when the external resistance was step-wise decreased. Regarding the power exerted, when the external resistance was increased below the value of the internal resistance, an enhancement in the power exerted was observed. However, when operating near the value of the internal resistance, a stable power exerted of about 1.6 µW was reached. These current and power responses can be explained by the change in population distribution, which shifts to a more fermentative than electrogenic culture, as was confirmed by the population analyses. Regarding the pollutant removal, the effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased when the external resistance increased up to the internal resistance value. However, the effluent COD increased when the external resistance was higher than the internal resistance. This behavior was maintained in the reverse scan, which confirmed the modification in the microbial population of the MFC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Fuel Cells II)
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13 pages, 3949 KiB  
Article
The Membrane-Less Microbial Fuel Cell (ML-MFC) with Ni-Co and Cu-B Cathode Powered by the Process Wastewater from Yeast Production
by Barbara Włodarczyk and Paweł P. Włodarczyk
Energies 2020, 13(15), 3976; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13153976 - 02 Aug 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2772
Abstract
Research related to measurements of electricity production was combined with parallel wastewater parameter reduction in a membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) fed with industry process wastewater (from a yeast factory). Electrodes with Ni–Co and Cu–B catalysts were used as cathodes. A carbon electrode [...] Read more.
Research related to measurements of electricity production was combined with parallel wastewater parameter reduction in a membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) fed with industry process wastewater (from a yeast factory). Electrodes with Ni–Co and Cu–B catalysts were used as cathodes. A carbon electrode (carbon cloth) was used as a reference due to its widespread use. It was demonstrated that all analyzed electrodes could be employed as cathodes in ML-MFC fed with process wastewater from yeast production. Electricity measurements during ML-MFC operations indicated that power (6.19 mW) and current density (0.38 mA·cm−2) were the highest for Ni–Co electrodes. In addition, during the exploitation of ML-MFC, it was recorded that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal per time for all types of electrodes was similar to the duration of COD decrease in the conditions for wastewater aeration. However, the COD reduction curve for aeration took the most favorable course. The concentration of NH4+ in ML-MFC remained virtually constant throughout the measurement period, whereas NO3− levels indicated almost complete removal (with a minimum increase in the last days of cell exploitation). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Fuel Cells II)
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Review

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13 pages, 1208 KiB  
Review
Microbial Fuel Cell Performance Boost through the Use of Graphene and Its Modifications—Review
by Adam Starowicz, Marcin Zieliński, Paulina Rusanowska and Marcin Dębowski
Energies 2023, 16(2), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020576 - 04 Jan 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1947
Abstract
The conversion of chemical energy contained in organic matter into electricity has become an object of interest for many scientists worldwide. This technology is used in microbial fuel cells (MFC). Apart from generating electrical energy, these cells can be used simultaneously for wastewater [...] Read more.
The conversion of chemical energy contained in organic matter into electricity has become an object of interest for many scientists worldwide. This technology is used in microbial fuel cells (MFC). Apart from generating electrical energy, these cells can be used simultaneously for wastewater treatment. Although the technology is constantly being improved, currently functioning microbial fuel cells cannot provide appropriate output parameters to use on an industrial scale. One of the barriers is so-called extracellular electron transfer, which in turn depends on the electrode type used, its material, shape, and size. According to current literature, carbon, graphite, stainless steel, and ceramics are the most frequently used electrode materials. However, more and more often, scientists are turning to other, unusual materials, the production of which uses the newest technologies, and one of them is graphene. This material is modified in different ways and connected with other materials, and the results of this seem to be very promising. Scientists manage to get a higher level of extracellular electron transfer and, hence, higher output parameters of the whole system. This article describes chosen technologies and attempts made by scientists worldwide to use graphene in MFC and their results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Fuel Cells II)
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30 pages, 6690 KiB  
Review
An Overview of Microbial Fuel Cells within Constructed Wetland for Simultaneous Nutrient Removal and Power Generation
by N. Evelin Paucar and Chikashi Sato
Energies 2022, 15(18), 6841; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15186841 - 19 Sep 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2916
Abstract
Water, energy, and food are indispensable for sustainable economic development. Despite nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, being essential for plant growth and thus food supplies, those present in wastewater are considered an environmental burden. While microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are receiving much interest, [...] Read more.
Water, energy, and food are indispensable for sustainable economic development. Despite nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, being essential for plant growth and thus food supplies, those present in wastewater are considered an environmental burden. While microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are receiving much interest, combining wastewater treatment with an MFC has emerged as an option for low-cost wastewater treatment. Among others, a constructed wetland (CW) coupled with an MFC (CW-MFC) has the potential to provide a low carbon footprint and low-energy wastewater treatment, as well as nutrient and energy recovery from wastewater. Findings from this review show that the organic and nutrient removal and power generation by the integrated CW-MFC systems are affected by a number of factors including the organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time, system design, plant species, dissolved oxygen, substrate/media type, influent feeding mode, electrode materials and spacing, and external resistance. This review aims to summarize the current state of the CW-MFC and related technologies with particular emphasis on organic and nutrient removal, as well as on the bioenergy recovery from different wastewaters. Despite the benefits that these technologies can offer, the interactive mechanisms between the CW and MFC in the integrated system are still unclear. Further research is needed to fully understand the CW-MFC and related systems. The results of this work provide not only an overview and insight into existing knowledge but also the future direction of the CW-MFC technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Fuel Cells II)
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