Advances in Microbial Electrochemical Technology

Dear Colleagues,

Microbial electrochemistry, a burgeoning field characterized by the interaction between microorganisms and electrochemical systems, has paved the way for innovative applications in energy production, environmental remediation, and chemical synthesis. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), and microbial electrosynthesis (MES) are at the forefront of this research, offering sustainable solutions for energy generation and bioproduct synthesis. These systems leverage the unique capabilities of microorganisms to catalyze a wide range of reactions, including wastewater treatment, CO₂ reduction, and the production of valuable chemicals.

Despite significant advancements, fundamental challenges remain in improving the efficiency, stability, and scalability of microbial electrochemical systems. Research into the mechanisms of electron transfer between microbes and electrodes is crucial for overcoming these barriers. Additionally, the development of advanced materials and electrode designs, along with in situ analytical techniques and theoretical modeling, will be essential for optimizing these systems.

This Special Issue will focus on the latest research, developments, and applications in microbial electrochemistry. We invite reviews and original research papers on topics including but not limited to the following:

• Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs): innovations in design and application for sustainable energy production.
• Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs): advances in hydrogen production and other high-value products.
• Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES): methods for the synthesis of chemicals using microbial processes.
• Electron Transfer Mechanisms: understanding microbial–electrode interactions at the molecular level.
• Electrode Materials and Designs: development of nanostructured and conductive materials for enhanced performance.
• Microbial Community Engineering: strategies for optimizing microbial consortia for specific electrochemical processes.
• In Situ and In Operando Techniques: tools for characterizing microbial biofilms and electrochemical interfaces.
• Wastewater Treatment: applications of microbial electrochemistry for environmental remediation.
• CO₂ and N₂ Fixation: microbial processes for sustainable chemical synthesis.
• Theoretical Modeling: computational approaches to understanding and predicting microbial electrochemical behaviors.
• Biofilm Dynamics: insights into the formation, stability, and activity of microbial biofilms on electrodes.
• Integration with Renewable Energy Sources: combining microbial electrochemical systems with solar, wind, and other renewable energies.
• Scale-up and Commercialization: challenges and opportunities in bringing microbial electrochemical technologies to market.

Through this collection, we aim to highlight cutting-edge research and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of microbial electrochemistry.

Dr. Rusen Zou
Dr. Zhiyong Zhang
Guest Editors

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. Fermentation is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2100 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.

• microbial fuel cells (MFCs)
• microbial electrolysis cells (MECs)
• microbial electrosynthesis (MES)
• electron transfer mechanisms
• electrode materials and designs
• microbial community engineering
• in situ and in operando techniques
• wastewater treatment
• CO₂ and N₂ fixation
• theoretical modeling
• biofilm dynamics
• integration with renewable energy sources
• scale-up and commercialization