HARNESSING MICROBIAL POWER: AN

OVERVIEW OF MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS

Susavan Ghosal, Vatsala Mishra, Agnija Biswas, Ritobeeti Chatterjee, Sejuti Roy
B.Sc Hons. (1 semester) – Department of Zoology
st

INTRODUCTI WORKING METHODOLOGY:

- ON:is a type of bio-electrochemical fuel
MFC A typical MFC has two chambers of
system which converts chemical energy to electrodes – the anodic and the cathodic,
electrical energy by the help separated by a proton exchange membrane.
of microorganisms.
- Two very huge issues are daunting everyday: In the anode
compartment,
1. BIOWASTE DISPOSAL 2. FUEL CRISIS microbes are The electrons
Oxygen being an
electron acceptor, the
suspended in the released by the
Now, the answer to both these problems anolyte microbes are
reduction of oxygen
to water is achieved
under anaerobic collected by
can be provided by our planets smallest conditions, which the anode and
by the transfer of
electrons and protons
oxidize substrates passes them
creature: BACTERIA and produce through an
received at the
cathode chamber,
electrons, protons, external circuit
generating an electric
and other metabolites to the cathode.
current.
in the anode
PRINCIPLE OF MFC: chamber.

When microorganisms consume a substance

such as sugar, in aerobic conditions, they
produce carbon dioxide and water. However,
when oxygen is not present, they may produce
carbon dioxide,hydrons (hydrogen ions),
and electrons, as described below for sucrose.
𝐴𝑡 𝐴𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒 ∶ 𝐶6𝐻12𝑂6 + 6𝐻2𝑂 → 6𝐶𝑂2 + 24𝐻+ +
24𝑒−
𝐴𝑡 𝐶𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑𝑒 ∶ 6𝑂2 + 24𝐻+ + 24𝑒− → 12𝐻2𝑂
O𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ∶ 𝐶6𝐻12𝑂6 + 6𝑂2 → 6𝐶𝑂2 +
6𝐻2𝑂 + 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡y

FUTURE PROSPECTS & CHALLENGES:

MFC is regarded as a powerful
The microbial action on these toxic Since, microbes are incredibly
‘platform technology’ due to its
substances from waste, leads to sensitive, specific, and accurate
unique ability to produce energy
inter-conversion into non-toxic or "sensors" of their own environment,
from waste without the use of
reduced toxic forms that are pivotal this technology is apt for indigenous
additional energy & for its access in
for building a clean, environmentally bioelectricity production from any
remote region via robotics or remote
benign ecosystem. organic wastes, wastewater,
power generation.

Undoubtedly from the persepective of funding and development, MFCs have

still a long way to go. The most important challenge is the scale-up use of
MFC, which needs to get rid of certain obstacles such as requirement of
external energy for the starting of MFC circuit.
CITATIONS: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772801323000155#sec0003
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbial_fuel_cell#Soil-based
https://letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/stem-explained/microbial-fuel-cell
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772801323000155
https://youtu.be/5iMw7-GIJFE?si=_F___slQ1qB9H7Jf