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Challenges in microbial fuel cell development and operation

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Abstract

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that converts chemical energy into electricity through the catalytic activities of microorganisms. Although there is great potential of MFCs as an alternative energy source, novel wastewater treatment process, and biosensor for oxygen and pollutants, extensive optimization is required to exploit the maximum microbial potential. In this article, the main limiting factors of MFC operation are identified and suggestions are made to improve performance.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported partly by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Korea through the National Research Laboratory programme (M1-0104-00-0024), and by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Gwangju Institute of Science Technology (GIST, Research Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnology) institutional research programs. GMG and BHK gratefully acknowledge receipt of a Royal Society (London) South Korea–UK Project Grant (Ref 12152).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 39-1 Hawolgok-dong, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-791, South Korea

    Byung Hong Kim

  2. Muri Research Team, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA

    Byung Hong Kim

  3. Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 1 Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 500-712, South Korea

    In Seop Chang

  4. Research Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 1 Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 500-712, South Korea

    In Seop Chang

  5. Division of Environmental and Applied Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK

    Geoffrey M. Gadd

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  1. Byung Hong Kim
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  2. In Seop Chang
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Correspondence to Byung Hong Kim or In Seop Chang.

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Kim, B.H., Chang, I.S. & Gadd, G.M. Challenges in microbial fuel cell development and operation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 76, 485–494 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-007-1027-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-007-1027-4

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