Microbial fuel cells, a sustainable technology for bio-energy harvesting: A mini-review

Abotaleb, Ahmed Elsayed; Abdalla, Abdalla Mohamed; Mubarak, Mahmoud Fathy; El Shahawy, Abeer

doi:10.21608/sceee.2025.398648.1085

Microbial fuel cells, a sustainable technology for bio-energy harvesting: A mini-review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

¹ Civil engineering department, Faculty of engineering, Suez Canal University

² Mechanical Engineering department, Faculty of Engineering, Suez Canal University

³ Petroleum Applications Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Egypt,

⁴ Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Suez Canal University

10.21608/sceee.2025.398648.1085

Abstract

A microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a type of bio-electrochemical systems that utilizes the metabolic activities of microorganisms to directly transform organic substrates into electrical energy.. based on the overlap of microbiology, electrochemistry, and environmental engineering, MFCs utilize electrochemically active bacteria to oxidize organic substances, releasing electrons that move through an external circuit to generate electricity. These systems are considered a sustainable approach to energy production, particularly from wastewater and other organic-rich waste streams, simultaneously achieving waste treatment and energy recovery. Recent advancements focus on enhancing power output, scalability, and cost-effectiveness through the use of novel electrode materials, optimized reactor designs, and the genetic engineering of microbial consortia. MFCs hold promise for decentralized energy generation and environmental remediation, though challenges remain in commercialization and large-scale implementation. Several strategies have been investigated to overcome the problem of low power density generation in microbial fuel cells, with nanotechnology being the most promising technique due to its distinct effect on the reactions that happen inside the cell.

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