Bioelectricity Production using Microbial Fuel Cell

Energy with its ever increasing demand is becoming more and more scarce resource. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) hold promise as an alternative not only to meet the widening gap in the energy sector but can be an effective mean for the sustainable utilization of reduced compounds in an eco-friendly way. The bacteria within the MFC oxidize complex substrates within the waste by removing electrons. The electrons generated by the bacteria growing in the oxygen-deficient anodic chamber of the MFC, are captured by the cathode exposed to the air. The potential difference generated can be optimized and developed into an independent electricity production unit. For this reason, better understanding of the electron coupling reactions and carriers within the bacteria is attaining wider attention. The MFC can be customized to suite diverse substrate range by choosing specific bacterial species having matching metabolic repertoire and accordingly chosen operational parameters of the MFC.