Abstract
Scientific research has advanced on different microbial fuel cell (MFC) technologies in the laboratory at an amazing pace, with power densities having reached over 1 kW/m3 (reactor volume) and to 6.9 W/m2 (anode area) under optimal conditions. The main challenge is to bring these technologies out of the laboratory and engineer practical systems for bioenergy production at larger scales. Recent advances in new types of electrodes, a better understanding of the impact of membranes and separators on performance of these systems, and results from several new pilot-scale tests are all good indicators that commercialization of the technology could be possible within a few years. Some of the newest advances and future challenges are reviewed here with respect to practical applications of these MFCs for renewable energy production and other applications. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1665-1671 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 15 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): KUS-I1-003-13
Acknowledgements: This author is grateful for funding by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST; Award KUS-I1-003-13), the National Science Foundation (CBET-0730359 and CBET-0803137), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (RFH-7-77623-01), and the Paul L. Bush award administered by the Water Environment Research Foundation.
This publication acknowledges KAUST support, but has no KAUST affiliated authors.
