Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Microbial Fuel Cells: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Bioelectricity Generation

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 383 - 392, 01.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.1708798

Abstract

The present study describes a simple, membrane-less, single-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) that uses natural mud and surface water as sustainable bioelectricity substrates. The way the system mimicked sediment-water interfaces was dependent on native microbial communities effecting electrochemical reactions without proprietary membranes. Carbon rod anodes were buried in anaerobic mud to establish a microbial colony while stainless-steel mesh cathodes were introduced in aerobic water for oxygen reduction. Both voltage output and other parameters like pH, temperature, turbidity, and conductivity have been measured during the experiment. Monitoring revealed rising voltage levels and biofilm formation around the anode, indicating active microbial processes and effective electron transfer. It thus provides an indication of the role of cheap, green ecofriendly MFCs in decentralized energy and wastewater treatment, particularly in situations where resource possibilities are limited.

References

  • Aelterman, P., Rabaey, K., Pham, H. T., Boon, N., & Verstraete, W. (2006). Continuous electricity generation at high voltages and currents using stacked microbial fuel cells. Environmental science & technology, 40(10), 3388-3394. https://doi.org/10.1021/es0525511
  • Ali, A. E. H., Gomaa, O. M., Fathey, R., Abd El Kareem, H., & Abou Zaid, M. (2015). Optimization of double chamber microbial fuel cell for domestic wastewater treatment and electricity production. Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology, 43(9), 1092-1099. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5813(15)30032-3
  • Ali, H. E., Hemdan, B. A., El-Naggar, M. E., El-Liethy, M. A., Jadhav, D. A., El-Hendawy, H. H., ... & El-Taweel, G. E. (2025). Harnessing the power of microbial fuel cells as pioneering green technology: advancing sustainable energy and wastewater treatment through innovative nanotechnology. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 48(3), 343-366.
  • Bala Krishna, M. (2021). A Robust Strategic Theory based Load Balancing and Resource Allocation in Cloud Environment. International Academic Journal of Science and Engineering, 8(1), 19–30. https://doi.org/10.9756/IAJSE/V8I1/IAJSE0803
  • Bhattacharya, R., & Kapoor, T. (2024). Advancements in Power Electronics for Sustainable Energy Systems: A Study in the Periodic Series of Multidisciplinary Engineering. In Smart Grid Integration (pp. 19-25). Periodic Series in Multidisciplinary Studies.
  • Du, Z., Li, H., & Gu, T. (2007). A state of the art review on microbial fuel cells: a promising technology for wastewater treatment and bioenergy. Biotechnology advances, 25(5), 464-482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2007.05.004
  • Elshobary, M. E., Zabed, H. M., Yun, J., Zhang, G., & Qi, X. (2021). Recent insights into microalgae-assisted microbial fuel cells for generating sustainable bioelectricity. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46(4), 3135-3159.
  • Farhood, A. S. (2023). Analyze the Efficiency of Banking Risk Management in Banks Operating in The Local Environment Through the Application of Basel Standards in Financial Risk Management. International Academic Journal of Social Sciences, 10 (2), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.9756/IAJSS/V10I2/IAJSS1011
  • Karimov, Z., & Bobur, R. (2024). Development of a food safety monitoring system using IoT sensors and data analytics. Clinical Journal for Medicine, Health and Pharmacy, 2(1), 19-29.
  • Kausar, A., Ahmad, I., Zhao, T., Maaza, M., & Bocchetta, P. (2023). Green nanocomposite electrodes/electrolytes for microbial fuel cells—cutting-edge technology. Journal of Composites Science, 7(4), 166. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7040166
  • Kim, B. H., & Chang, I. S. (2004). Microbial fuel cells: recent advances, bacterial communities and future prospects. Biotechnology Letters, 26(22), 1701–1705.
  • Korsa, G., Bekele, G. K., Beyene, A., Alemu, D., Meka, A. F., Tibebu, S., ... & Ayele, A. (2025). Microbial Fuel Cells for Sustainable Biofuel Production: Cutting-edge Technology. Green Energy and Environmental Technology.
  • Li, X., Hu, B., Suib, S. L., Lei, Y., & Li, B. (2010). Manganese oxide as an alternative cathodic catalyst to platinum in microbial fuel cells. Electrochemistry Communications, 12(2), 165–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2009.11.033
  • Logan, B. E., & Regan, J. M. (2006). Electricity-producing bacterial communities in microbial fuel cells. TRENDS in Microbiology, 14(12), 512-518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2006.10.003
  • Logan, B. E., & Regan, J. M. (2006). Microbial fuel cells—challenges and applications. Environmental science & technology, 40(17), 5172-5180. https://doi.org/10.1021/es0627592
  • Madhavan, A., Nandakumar, V., Shetty, K. S., & Nair, B. (2016, March). Optimization of microbial fuel cell (MFC) operated with waste water as substrate. In 2016 International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT) (pp. 4403-4406). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEEOT.2016.7755551
  • Malik S, Kishore S, Dhasmana A, Kumari P, Mitra T, Chaudhary V, Kumari R, Bora J, Ranjan A, Minkina T, Rajput VD. A perspective review on microbial fuel cells in treatment and product recovery from wastewater. Water, 15(2), 316. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15020316
  • Mohyudin, S., Farooq, R., Jubeen, F., Rasheed, T., Fatima, M., & Sher, F. (2022). Microbial fuel cells a state-of-the-art technology for wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. Environmental research, 204, 112387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112387
  • Mondal, S., & Goswami, S. S. (2024). Microbial fuel cells: advancements, challenges, and applications in sustainable energy and environmental remediation. J Sustain Energy, 3(3), 198-221. https://doi.org/10.56578/jse030305
  • Pant, D., Van Bogaert, G., Diels, L., & Vanbroekhoven, K. (2010). A review of the substrates used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for sustainable energy production. Bioresource technology, 101(6), 1533-1543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.10.017
  • Patil, S., & Das, A. (2024). Encouraging Future Generations with Environmental Education. International Journal of SDG’s Prospects and Breakthroughs, 2(4), 24-29.
  • Petrova, E., & Kowalski, D. (2025). Energy-Efficient Microalgae Filtering and Harvesting Using an Extremely Low-Pressure Membrane Filter with Fouling Control. Engineering Perspectives in Filtration and Separation, 25-31.
  • Rabaey, K., & Verstraete, W. (2005). Microbial fuel cells: Novel biotechnology for energy generation. Trends in Biotechnology, 23(6), 291–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2005.04.008
  • Rahimnejad, M., Adhami, A., Darvari, S., Zirepour, A., & Oh, S. E. (2015). Microbial fuel cell as new technology for bioelectricity generation: A review. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 54(3), 745-756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2015.03.031
  • Santoro, C., Arbizzani, C., Erable, B., & Ieropoulos, I. (2017). Microbial fuel cells: From fundamentals to applications. Journal of Power Sources, 356, 223-571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.109
  • Santoro, C., Arbizzani, C., Erable, B., & Ieropoulos, I. (2017). Microbial fuel cells: From fundamentals to applications. A review. Journal of power sources, 356, 225-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.109
  • Schröder, U. (2007). Anodic electron transfer mechanisms in microbial fuel cells and their energy efficiency. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 9(21), 2619-2629. https://doi.org/10.1039/B703627M.
  • Tremblay, P. L., & Zhang, T. (2015). Electrifying microbes for the production of chemicals. Frontiers in microbiology, 6, 201. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00201
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Population Ecology
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Muqdad Abdulelah Taher 0000-0001-8537-9205

Basim A. Almayahi 0000-0001-7052-8060

Amal Jalil Hashim Almosawi This is me 0009-0003-1318-8671

Publication Date September 1, 2025
Submission Date May 29, 2025
Acceptance Date July 15, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 10 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Taher, M. A., A. Almayahi, B., & Almosawi, A. J. H. (2025). Microbial Fuel Cells: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Bioelectricity Generation. Natural and Engineering Sciences, 10(2), 383-392. https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.1708798

                                                                                               We welcome all your submissions

                                                                                                             Warm regards,
                                                                                                      


All published work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Link . Creative Commons License
                                                                                         NESciences.com © 2015