Microbial Fuel Cells: Methodology and Technology†
01 Sep 2006-Environmental Science & Technology (American Chemical Society)-Vol. 40, Iss: 17, pp 5181-5192
TL;DR: A review of the different materials and methods used to construct MFCs, techniques used to analyze system performance, and recommendations on what information to include in MFC studies and the most useful ways to present results are provided.
Abstract: Microbial fuel cell (MFC) research is a rapidly evolving field that lacks established terminology and methods for the analysis of system performance. This makes it difficult for researchers to compare devices on an equivalent basis. The construction and analysis of MFCs requires knowledge of different scientific and engineering fields, ranging from microbiology and electrochemistry to materials and environmental engineering. Describing MFC systems therefore involves an understanding of these different scientific and engineering principles. In this paper, we provide a review of the different materials and methods used to construct MFCs, techniques used to analyze system performance, and recommendations on what information to include in MFC studies and the most useful ways to present results.
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TL;DR: This Progress article explores the underlying reasons for exocellular electron transfer, including cellular respiration and possible cell–cell communication, to understand bacterial versatility in mechanisms used for current generation.
Abstract: The use of microbial fuel cells to generate electrical current is increasingly being seen as a viable source of renewable energy production In this Progress article, Bruce Logan highlights recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms used by exoelectrogenic bacteria to generate electrical current and the important factors to consider in microbial fuel cell design There has been an increase in recent years in the number of reports of microorganisms that can generate electrical current in microbial fuel cells Although many new strains have been identified, few strains individually produce power densities as high as strains from mixed communities Enriched anodic biofilms have generated power densities as high as 69 W per m2 (projected anode area), and therefore are approaching theoretical limits To understand bacterial versatility in mechanisms used for current generation, this Progress article explores the underlying reasons for exocellular electron transfer, including cellular respiration and possible cell–cell communication
2,045 citations
TL;DR: The various substrates that have been explored in MFCs so far, their resulting performance, limitations as well as future potential substrates are reviewed.
1,602 citations
TL;DR: A critical review on the recent advances in MFC research with emphases on MFC configurations and performances is presented.
1,496 citations
Cites methods from "Microbial Fuel Cells: Methodology a..."
...Table 2 shows a summary of MFC components and the materials used to construct them (Logan et al., 2006; Rabaey and Verstraete, 2005; Bullen et al., 2006; Lovley, 2006)....
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...Logan et al. (2006) reviewed MFC designs, characterizations and performances....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the key advances that will enable the use of exoelectrogenic microorganisms to generate biofuels, hydrogen gas, methane, and other valuable inorganic and organic chemicals are reviewed.
Abstract: Waste biomass is a cheap and relatively abundant source of electrons for microbes capable of producing electrical current outside the cell. Rapidly developing microbial electrochemical technologies, such as microbial fuel cells, are part of a diverse platform of future sustainable energy and chemical production technologies. We review the key advances that will enable the use of exoelectrogenic microorganisms to generate biofuels, hydrogen gas, methane, and other valuable inorganic and organic chemicals. Moreover, we examine the key challenges for implementing these systems and compare them to similar renewable energy technologies. Although commercial development is already underway in several different applications, ranging from wastewater treatment to industrial chemical production, further research is needed regarding efficiency, scalability, system lifetimes, and reliability.
1,469 citations
TL;DR: Newer membrane processes coupled with complete anaerobic treatment of wastewater offer the potential for wastewater treatment to become a net generator of energy, rather than the large energy consumer that it is today.
Abstract: In seeking greater sustainability in water resources management, wastewater is now being considered more as a resource than as a waste-a resource for water, for plant nutrients, and for energy. Energy, the primary focus of this article, can be obtained from wastewater's organic as well as from its thermal content. Also, using wastewater's nitrogen and P nutrients for plant fertilization, rather than wasting them, helps offset the high energy cost of producing synthetic fertilizers. Microbial fuel cells offer potential for direct biological conversion of wastewater's organic materials into electricity, although significant improvements are needed for this process to be competitive with anaerobic biological conversion of wastewater organics into biogas, a renewable fuel used in electricity generation. Newer membrane processes coupled with complete anaerobic treatment of wastewater offer the potential for wastewater treatment to become a net generator of energy, rather than the large energy consumer that it is today.
1,457 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a comprehensive overview of electrode processes and their application in the field of chemical simulation, including potential sweep and potential sweep methods, coupled homogeneous chemical reactions, double-layer structure and adsorption.
Abstract: Major Symbols. Standard Abbreviations. Introduction and Overview of Electrode Processes. Potentials and Thermodynamics of Cells. Kinetics of Electrode Reactions. Mass Transfer by Migration and Diffusion. Basic Potential Step Methods. Potential Sweep Methods. Polarography and Pulse Voltammetry. Controlled--Current Techniques. Method Involving Forced Convention--Hydrodynamic Methods. Techniques Based on Concepts of Impedance. Bulk Electrolysis Methods. Electrode Reactions with Coupled Homogeneous Chemical Reactions. Double--Layer Structure and Adsorption. Electroactive Layers and Modified Electrodes. Electrochemical Instrumentation. Scanning Probe Techniques. Spectroelectrochemistry and Other Coupled Characterization Methods. Photoelectrochemistry and Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence. Appendix A: Mathematical Methods. Appendix B: Digital Simulations of Electrochemical Problems. Appendix C: Reference Tables. Index.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the first edition of this paper, the authors presented an analysis of fuel cell systems and their performance in terms of Molar Gibbs Free Energy Calculations (GFE) and Open Circuit Voltage.
Abstract: Preface. Foreword to the first edition. Acknowledgements. Abbreviations. Symbols. Introduction. Efficiency and Open Circuit Voltage. Operational Fuel Cell Voltages. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Alkaline Electrolyte Fuel Cells. Direct Methanol Fuel Cells. Medium and High Temperature Fuel Cells. Fuelling Fuel Cells. Compressors, Turbines, Ejectors, Fans, Blowers, and Pumps. Delivering Fuel Cell Power. Fuel Cell Systems Analysed. Appendix 1: Change in Molar Gibbs Free Energy Calculations. Appendix 2: Useful Fuel Cell Equations. Index.
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TL;DR: Wastewater Engineering: An Overview of Wastewater Engineering, Methods and Implementation Considerations as mentioned in this paper is a good starting point for a discussion of the issues of wastewater engineering. But, it is not a complete survey of the entire literature.
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TL;DR: This article corrects the article on p. 100 in vol.
Abstract: [This corrects the article on p. 100 in vol. 41.].
3,345 citations