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This paper studies the implementation of a system consisting of an electrolyzer connected to a bioelectricity generator set that operates using vinasse biogas. Data on total ethanol production across all regions of Brazil were collected, and two ethanol plants in São Paulo state were selected for analysis (São Jose da Estiva and São Manoel). The feasibility of implementing this system at these facilities was evaluated using energy analysis for biohydrogen production. The process's energy efficiency was assessed, allowing for the construction of a Sankey Diagram for both plants. Additionally, the costs of producing bioelectricity and biohydrogen via electrolysis using vinasse biogas from Brazil's sugar/alcohol industry were determined, factoring in the payback period, equivalent utilization period, and annual interest rate. The study demonstrates the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of producing biohydrogen using vinasse biogas. The cost of producing bioelectricity at the two plants decreases significantly over the 25-year system implementation period, starting at around 0.09–0.08 USD/kWh in the first year and dropping to a minimum of 0.027–0.039 USD/kWh by the end of the period. The initial cost of producing biohydrogen ranges from 0.24 to 0.25 USD/kWh at São Jose da Estiva and from 0.30 to 0.32 USD/kWh at São Manoel in the first year. However, prices drop by nearly half in the second year, reaching 0.05 to 0.06 USD/kWh at São Jose da Estiva and 0.06 to 0.07 USD/kWh at São Manoel. The payback period for the biohydrogen and bioelectricity production system increases, with São Jose da Estiva generating income by 1st year for a 4% to 12% interest rate. For São Manoel, income is expected by the 1.5 year for a 4% to 12% interest rate. Both plants recover their investment within the first 2 years of operation. By the 10th year, São Jose da Estiva's income is projected to be between 3,888,501.96 USD (4%) and 3,678,407.29 USD (12%), while São Manoel's income is expected to range from 3,123,824.69 USD (4%) to 2,932,050.63 USD (12%), demonstrating that the system is viable for sugar and ethanol plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the structure and function of bioelectric materials is challenging due to the complex nature of biomaterials and a lack of appropriate tools. The precisely defined structures and genetic tunability of viruses provide an excellent model system to investigate bioelectrical behavior in biomaterials. This study presents the molecular mechanisms of piezoelectricity in the M13 bacteriophage (phage) under various mechanical stresses for bio‐piezoelectric generation. A computational approach is used to calculate the piezoelectric tensors of the M13 phage and quantify its direction‐dependent dipole moments. By computationally designing negatively charged residues on the phage surface, the surface charge density is enhanced to 16.7 µC cm−2. Using genetic engineering, phages are experimentally designed with different charges and tail structures to create model phage nanostructures, including individual phages, vertically standing phage films, and horizontally aligned phage films. Their vertical, horizontal, and shear‐mode piezoelectric properties are then measured using scanning probe microscopy techniques. The resulting phage‐based piezoelectric energy generators exhibit an effective piezoelectric coefficient of 15.4 pm V−1 and a power density of 4.2 µW cm−2. This phage‐based bioengineering approach provides a versatile platform for investigating fundamental mechanisms of bioelectricity and designing bioelectric materials for applications in energy harvesting, biomemory, and biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgency of addressing environmental challenges has become more apparent than ever in recent years. Using existing renewable resources and reducing environmental impacts is critical for boosting economic growth and sustainable development. Ethiopia has limited access to modern bioenergy because of insufficient biomass data and policy gaps. This study estimated the theoretical potential of forest residue biomass resources for modern bioenergy production in Ethiopia. A combination of forest statistics data, publicly available data, literature models, and standard procedures was utilized. Ethiopia generates approximately 16.4 million dry tons of recoverable forest residue biomass each year. This indicates that the theoretical energy potential of forest residue available in Ethiopia is about 1.8–4.93 billion liters of ethanol each year, equivalent to 172%–469% of the country's gasoline consumption. Alternatively, the same amount of residue could generate 1.23–3.29 billion liters of biodiesel (biomass to Fischer–Tropsch) each year, accounting for 40%–107% of the country's biodiesel consumption. The theoretical estimations also show that the recoverable forest residues have the potential to produce about 12.7–34 TWh of electricity. This could significantly improve remote rural household electrification while decreasing the country's reliance on fuel wood biomass for traditional biofuels by 26%. The findings indicate that generating modern bioenergy from forest biomass residue has the potential to contribute to Ethiopia's energy mix, boost rural power access, and open new avenues for socioeconomic development. Finally, it can be concluded that the study findings reported in this study are useful to energy professionals, researchers, and policymakers interested in biomass fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing volume of wastewater from fish farming poses a serious environmental threat. This study investigated a novel treatment method for butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) wastewater using a constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) integrated with the water fern Azolla microphylla. The system was effective in removing pollutants like electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and phosphate were evaluated. Additionally, the electricity generation capabilities were measured. The CW-MFC system achieved significant removal rates: 67.65% for EC, 61.67% for TDS, 100% for ammonium, 75.00% for nitrate, 81.25% for nitrite, and 70.00% for phosphate. Furthermore, the system generated a maximum open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 690±90 mV, a current density (CD) of 7.29±0.43 mA/m2 and a power density (PD) of 0.37±0.04 mW/m2. Analysis of the microbial community revealed a diverse root consortium dominated by bacterial genera, including Phreatobacter, Emticicia, and Rhodobacter, along with fungal genera such as Strelitziana, Ramularia, Cladosporium, Trichomerium, Cercospora, Erythrobasidium and Fusarium. These findings suggest that CW-MFC systems integrated with A. microphylla offer a promising approach for sustainable and efficient treatment of wastewater from catfish farming while simultaneously generating bioelectricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bringing microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to market requires the use of non-precious metal catalysts. Therefore, we replaced the platinum (Pt) cathode with more cost-effective cadmium gallate (CdGa2O4) nanoparticles in the present research. The synthesis and characterization of cadmium gallate (CdGa2O4), and further its application as a cathode catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a MFC. The physiochemical characterization indicates a high ORR property of CdGa2O4, attributed to the presence of active sites, high electronic conductivity, and high surface area. These features enhanced the bioelectricity production with simultaneous wastewater treatment which resulted into comparable performances to catalysts such as platinum (Pt). The electrochemical analysis shows that the loading rate of CdGa2O4 has a significant impact on the power output of the MFC. The highest volumetric power density was observed in CdGa2O4 with a loading of 1 mg/cm3 (8.2 W/m3). COD removal efficiency also showed a similar trend with respect to different loading rates. 1 mg/cm3 of CdGa2O4 showed the highest COD removal and Columbic efficiency of 83.8% and 11.7%, respectively. The low cost-to-performance ratio, high ORR activity, and high electric conductivity of CdGa2O4 prove that CdGa2O4 is a feasible substitute for Pt in large-scale operations of MFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to escalating global energy demands and mounting environmental concerns, Microbial Fuel Cells have emerged as a groundbreaking technology, leveraging the unique abilities of microorganisms to harness bioenergy. This comprehensive review delves into the foundational principles governing MFCs, exploring mechanisms facilitating electron transfer and bioenergy generation while addressing factors influencing MFC performance. It further analyzes MFCs' multifaceted applications, from wastewater treatment to bioenergy recovery, and investigates their synergistic integration with other renewable energy systems. Despite these promising prospects, this review acknowledges the challenges of scalability, cost-effectiveness, and optimization, highlighting recent advancements aimed at enhancing efficiency, stability, and economic viability in MFC research. This review further offers a holistic perspective on the dynamic field of MFCs, assessing their potential to revolutionize bioenergy production while recognizing the hurdles to widespread adoption.

The increasing volume of wastewater from fish farming poses a serious environmental threat. This study investigated a novel treatment method for butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) wastewater using a constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) integrated with the water fern Azolla microphylla. The system was effectiveness in removing pollutants like electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and phosphate was evaluated. Additionally, the electricity generation capabilities were measured. The CW-MFC system achieved significant removal rates: 67.65% for EC, 61.67% for TDS, 100% for ammonium, 75.00% for nitrate, 81.25% for nitrite, and 70.00% for phosphate. Furthermore, the system generated a maximum open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 690±90 mV, a current density (CD) of 7.29±0.43 mA/m³and a power density (PD) of 0.37±0.04 mW/m³. Analysis of the microbial community revealed a diverse root consortium dominated by bacterial genera including Phreatobacter, Emticicia and Rhodobacter, along with fungal genera such as Strelitziana, Ramularia, Cladosporium,Trichomerium, Cercospora, Erythrobasidium and Fusarium. These findings suggest that CW-MFC systems integrated with A. microphylla offer a promising approach for sustainable and efficient treatment of wastewater from catfish farming while simultaneously generating bioelectricity.

Microplastics (MPs) that are contained in water pose a great threat to the ecological environment, because they have the potential to biomagnify in the food chain, which negatively affects higher trophic level animals that include humans. In addition, they could adsorb several contaminants onto their surface due to their high adsorption capability, which poses a great risk of diseases in higher life forms. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can simultaneously treat MP-containing wastewater and produce value-added by-products in the form of bioelectricity; therefore, recent research is more focused on this area. This work explored the effect of MPs on chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, power production, and an electrochemical behavior study of the system with cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results of this work show that MPs in low concentrations (25–400 mg/L) in synthetic wastewater treatment had a more positive effect on COD reduction and power production than synthetic wastewater with no MPs and 1,000 mg/L MP. Practical Applications: The mitigation of microplastic (MP)-containing wastewater has become very essential in today's world. Apart from leading to water pollution, it poses significant environmental risks, such as ecosystem disruption and habitat degradation, by the accumulation of MPs in aquatic habitats, which bioaccumulate and enter the food chain. Then, they are ingested by smaller organisms and are passed onto larger ones, which adversely affects marine life. Contamination via MPs is not limited to marine ecosystems but is transferred to terrestrial ecosystems and harms terrestrial organisms, because MPs can absorb and concentrate other pollutants, such as pesticides and heavy metals, from neighboring environments. Therefore, in this work, a newer green approach has been taken to treat MP-containing wastewater and to evaluate its effect on the performance and electrochemistry of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The results of this work show that among the cycles, Cycle 5 with 400 mg/L MP gave the highest power density of 1,971.86 mW/m2, which makes it an energy-yielding process. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of Cycle 2 (50 mg/L MP) was highest at 47 ± 0.5; however, Cycle 5 (400 mg/L MP) could reduce 33.3% ± 0.5% of the COD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, several previously undiscussed concerns in acupuncture research have been brought to light. Among these, the core issue stems from the ambiguity surrounding the identity of acupoints. Hence, the question “What is the identity of acupoints?” remains of particular importance in acupuncture research. To answer this question, we reviewed the original concept of acupoints explained in Oriental medicine, from which acupuncture treatment originated, and examined scientific research on acupuncture and acupoints. We then proposed a perspective on the identity of acupoints and speculated about a possible reason for their elusive nature: qi, which congregates at and flows in and out of acupoints, might be bioelectricity, making these points inherently difficult to measure anatomically or histologically. Consequently, acupoints are suggested to be spaces where bioelectricity congregates, thus inevitably exhibiting electrical characteristics.

The study presented a comprehensive documentation of different operating parameters influencing bioelectricity generation potential of PMFCs with Chlorella sorokiniana-based microalgal bio-cathode. An optimum duration of light-dark period is highly essential for growth of both plants and microalgae. The study demonstrated that 12/12 h light-dark phase was optimum to extract maximum performance from PMFCs without creating operational stress. The effect of different light sources on growth of indoor plants Philodendron erubescens and Epipremnum aureum as well as microalgae was studied. White light proved to be superior among all light source for plant growth and chlorophyll concentration at the bio-cathode. The obtained power density of 26.42 mW m−2 under white light was 72%, 54% and 15% higher than red, blue and red-blue mix lights, respectively. Also, the addition of novel plant growth media can influence plant growth resulting in 31% increased power generation. The configuration of PMFC setup and placement of electrodes and membranes are highly important criteria affecting PMFC performance. Anode position at A2 at 7 cm below soil, being closer to membranes proved to enhance transmembrane ion transport with an increase in power density up to 2.2 times. Three-chamber PMFC with narrow bottom anode chamber helps in creating favourable anaerobic environment with 26% decrease in O2 concentration and increasing power generation up to 31.40 mW m−2 which was 15.44% higher as compared to two-chamber PMFC. Additionally, the internal resistance was found to decrease from 270 to 190 Ω. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste, a persistent and escalating issue, and the high costs of installing electric power, particularly in remote areas, have become pressing concerns for governments. This research proposes a novel method for generating electric power from sugarcane bagasse waste and reducing plastic waste. The key to this method is the use of the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus in microbial fuel cells. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) demonstrated their effectiveness by generating peaks of electric current (4.325 ± 0.261 mA) and voltage (0.427 ± 0.031 V) on day twenty-six, with a pH of 5.539 ± 0.278. The peak electrical conductivity of the substrate was 130.574 ± 4.981 mS/cm. The MFCs were able to reduce the chemical oxygen demand by 83%, showing a maximum power density of 86.316 ± 4.724 mW/cm2 and an internal resistance of 37.384 ± 62.522 Ω. The infrared spectra of the plastic samples showed a decrease in the peaks 2850–2920, 1470, and 720 cm−1, which are more characteristic of plastic, demonstrating the action of the Pleurotus ostreatus fungus on the plastic samples. Also, the micrographs taken by SEM showed the reduction in the thickness of the plastic film by 54.06 µm and the formation of microstructures on the surface, such as pores and raised layers of the sample used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a pernicious and pressing medical problem; moreover, it is a failure of multicellular morphogenesis that sheds much light on evolutionary developmental biology. Numerous classes of pharmacological agents have been considered as cancer therapeutics and evaluated as potential carcinogenic agents; however, these are spread throughout the primary literature. Here, we briefly review recent work on ion channel drugs as promising anti-cancer treatments and present a systematic review of the known cancer-relevant effects of 109 drugs targeting ion channels. The roles of ion channels in cancer are consistent with the importance of bioelectrical parameters in cell regulation and with the functions of bioelectric signaling in morphogenetic signals that act as cancer suppressors. We find that compounds that are well-known for having targets in the nervous system, such as voltage-gated ion channels, ligand-gated ion channels, proton pumps, and gap junctions are especially relevant to cancer. Our review suggests further opportunities for the repurposing of numerous promising candidates in the field of cancer electroceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bioelectrochemical system that generates electrical energy using electroactive micro-organisms. These micro-organisms convert chemical energy found in substances like wastewater into electrical energy while simultaneously treating the wastewater. Thus, MFCs serve a dual purpose, generating energy and enhancing wastewater treatment processes. Due to the high construction costs of MFCs, there is an ongoing search for alternative solutions to improve their efficiency and reduce production costs. This study aimed to improvement of MFC operation and minimize MFC costs by using anode material derived from by-products. Therefore, the proton exchange membrane (PEM) was abandoned, and a stainless steel cathode and a carbon anode were used. To improve the cell's efficiency, a carbon fiber anode supplemented with activated coconut carbon (ACCcfA) was utilized. Micro-organisms were provided with molasses decoction (a by-product of yeast production) to supply the necessary nutrients for optimal functioning. For comparison, an anode made solely of carbon fibers (CFA) and an anode composed of activated carbon grains without carbon fibers (ACCgA) were also tested. The results indicated that the ACCcfA system achieved the highest cell voltage, power density, and COD reduction efficiency (compared to the CFA and ACCgA electrodes). Additionally, the study demonstrated that incorporating activated coconut carbon significantly enhances the performance of the MFC when powered by a by-product of yeast production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have attracted a great deal of attention as a promising technology for recovering electricity from organic substances by harnessing the metabolic activities of microorganisms. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a LiTa0.5Nb0.5O3/g-C3N4 (LTN/g-C3N4) heterojunction as a photocathode catalyst within a single-chamber microbial fuel cell operating under both light irradiation and dark conditions. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the composite catalyst, revealing its exceptional purity and unique properties. After 120 h of exposure to visible light, the maximal power density of the MFC containing LTN/g-C3N4-modified carbon cloth was determined to be 667.7 mW/m3. The power density achieved with the presence of light was approximately three times greater than the power density obtained without light in the MFC (235.64 mW/m3). In addition, the study determined that the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 88.4% and 66.5% when exposed to light and in the absence of light, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the non-precious LTN/g-C3N4 photocatalyst as a viable alternative for effective wastewater treatment and power generation in microbial fuel cells with a single chamber configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae-based biocathode development was studied for the first time in a three-chamber PMFC incorporating Chlorella sorokiniana. It represents an efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly strategy for increase oxygen availability to the cathode. Three different indoor plants viz., Epipremnum aureum, Philodendron erubescens and Anthurium andreanum were chosen for this study. Among all the PMFCs, P. erubescens showed the highest performance, with the power density and current density of 32.21 mW m−2 and 63 mA m−2 respectively. This represents a 31% increase with respect to previous studied bacterial biocathode and is amongst the best in PMFC research reported till date. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), dissolved oxygen (DO) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis confirmed microalgal biocathode development. The presence of C. sorokiniana in the cathode increases the DO concentration and the oxygen reduction rate with a higher reduction current density of −16.2 mA m−2 as compared to mechanical aeration (−5.6 mA m−2). Anodic microbial community structure showed a diverse bacterial consortium dominated by Firmicutes (56.84%) and Bacteroidetes (38.45%), which are known for their ability to generate bioelectricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a predominantly humid tropical climate and a large area for expanding agricultural activities, Angola has in principle favorable conditions for bioenergy production. The focus of this study was to evaluate the availability of suitable land for producing sugarcane. This crop is highly efficient in converting solar energy into biomass for energy purposes in Angola. To this end, this paper outlines a method for data collection, processing, and analysis divided into three sections. The first section uses the GAEZ (Global Agroecological Zones) database and QGIS (Quantum GIS) software (version 3.22.5) to assess land availability for sugarcane cultivation in Angola, classifying the regions' suitability into four levels. The second section supplements this with data from the FAOSTAT database, systematically excluding areas with restrictions, such as protected zones, land already used for other crops, and regions unsuitable for sugarcane. Finally, the third section employs an agricultural yield model to estimate the potential yield of sugarcane based on climatic parameters and the amount of bioenergy (ethanol and bioelectricity) able to be produced in the available land. Under these criteria, this study identified the existence of 6.3 Mha in lands of good agricultural suitability, with water resources, corresponding to 5% of the Angolan territory, distributed in seven provinces of the country, especially in the provinces of Cuando Cubango and Cunene, where 85% of the very suitable land under irrigation is located. Adopting a model of agricultural productivity, assuming irrigation and adequate agricultural practices, such area could produce approximately 956 million tons of sugarcane annually, which is significantly higher than the current production in this country. This amount of feedstock processed using current technology could potentially produce 81.3 GL of ethanol and 176.9 TWh of electricity with low GHG emissions per year, which is able to mitigate, as a whole, circa 60.3 MtCO2-eq/year by displacing gasoline in light vehicles and diesel and natural gas consumed in power generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIncreasing industrialization and urbanization have contributed to a significant rise in wastewater discharge and exerted extensive pressure on the existing natural energy resources. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a sustainable technology that utilizes wastewater for electricity generation. MFC comprises a bioelectrochemical system employing electroactive biofilms of several aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, such as Geobacter sulfurreducens, Shewanella oneidensis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Ochrobacterum pseudiintermedium. Since the electroactive biofilms constitute a vital part of the MFC, it is crucial to understand the biofilm-mediated pollutant metabolism and electron transfer mechanisms. Engineering electroactive biofilm communities for improved biofilm formation and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion can positively impact the bioelectrochemical system and improve fuel cell performance. This review article summarizes the role of electroactive bacterial communities in MFC for wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. A significant focus has been laid on understanding the composition, structure, and function of electroactive biofilms in MFC. Various electron transport mechanisms, including direct electron transfer (DET), indirect electron transfer (IET), and long-distance electron transfer (LDET), have been discussed. A detailed summary of the optimization of process parameters and genetic engineering strategies for improving the performance of MFC has been provided. Lastly, the applications of MFC for wastewater treatment, bioelectricity generation, and biosensor development have been reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a transformative "living" hypothesis in architecture and engineering, proposing a paradigm shift from conventional design to regenerative, ecologically interconnected resilient systems. At the heart of our hypothesis is the integration of earth-bound materials and bioreceptive surfaces through metabolic exchanges that can be directly monitored via bioelectricity using advanced computational models and cooperative governance structures. This innovative approach that links the living world with natural materials and digital computing, aims to foster sustainable urban development that dynamically and meaningfully responds to ecological shifts, thereby enhancing social sustainability and environmental resilience. Founded on an active relationship with Earth Based Materials (EBMs) our work operationalises the foundational link between organic life and inorganic matter, e.g., minerals, to establish a dynamic relationship between building materials, and ecological systems drawing on the foundational metabolisms of microbes. To enable this ambitious synthesis, our work builds upon and diverges from traditional foundations by operationalizing actor-network theory, new materialism, and regenerative design principles through the application of bioelectrical microbes to "living" materials and digital twins. We propose a novel resilience framework that not only advocates for a symbiotic relationship between human habitats and natural ecosystems but also outlines practical pathways for the creation of adaptive, self-organizing built environments that are informed by data collection and metabolic feedback loops. These environments are fundamentally regenerative, dynamic, and environmentally responsive in ways that can be understood and engaged by human engineers and designers, transcending current sustainability and resilience targets through a methodology rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration. We address challenges such as regulatory barriers, lack of standardization, and perceptions of inferiority compared to conventional materials, proposing a new standardization framework adaptable to the unique properties of these materials. Our vision is supported by advanced predictive digital modelling techniques and sensors, including the integration of biofilms that generate action potentials, enabling the development of Digital Twins that respond to metabolic signals to enhance sustainability, biodiversity, and ultimately generate environmentally positive socio-economic outcomes. This paper reviews existing methodologies to establish an overview of state-of-the-art developments and offers a clear, actionable plan and recommendations for the realization of regenerative and resilient systems in urban development. It contributes a unique perspective on sustainable urban development, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach, which integrates the foundational metabolism of microbes, assisted by big biological data and artificial intelligences that act in concert to respect both the environment and the intricate dynamics of living systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioelectric signals possess the ability to robustly control and manipulate patterning during embryogenesis and tissue-level regeneration. Endogenous local and global electric fields function as a spatial 'pre-pattern', controlling cell fates and tissue-scale anatomical boundaries; however, the mechanisms facilitating these robust multiscale outcomes are poorly characterized. Computational modeling addresses the need to predict in vitro patterning behavior and further elucidate the roles of cellular bioelectric signaling components in patterning outcomes. Here, we modified a previously designed image pattern recognition algorithm to distinguish unique spatial features of simulated non-excitable bioelectric patterns under distinct cell culture conditions. This algorithm was applied to comparisons between simulated patterns and experimental microscopy images of membrane potential (Vmem) across cultured human iPSC colonies. Furthermore, we extended the prediction to a novel co-culture condition in which cell sub-populations possessing different ionic fluxes were simulated; the defining spatial features were recapitulated in vitro with genetically modified colonies. These results collectively inform strategies for modeling multiscale spatial characteristics that emerge in multicellular systems, characterizing the molecular contributions to heterogeneity of membrane potential in non-excitable cells, and enabling downstream engineered bioelectrical tissue design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, bioelectricity and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production were integrated by a dual chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) using Enterobacter sp. TS1L and textile wastewater (TW), and the method was evaluated. The highest open circuit voltage (OCV, 986.50 mV), current density (CD, 6.04 W/m3) and power density (PD, 0.32 W/m3) were observed when sterile TW was used as the substrate. Sterilization had no effect on electricity generation, while the OCV, CD and PD were not significantly different. The prolong MFC was operated by Enterobacter sp. TS1L using non-sterile TW for a period of 7 days. Throughout the 7-day operation, the experiment yielded a consistent CD output, ranging from 1.56 A/m3 to 2.31 A/m3. After MFC treatment, the quality of the effluent surpassed the Thailand water quality standard. A high percentage of decolorization (72.9%) was observed by Enterobacter sp. under TW-fed MFC. Thereafter, biomass was collected, then, PHA was extracted and characterized. The highest biomass (3.5 ± 0.6 g/L) and PHA (56.1 ± 1.5% cell dry mass, CDM) level were observed at 6 days of MFC operation. The isolated polymer from Enterobacter sp. TS1L was confirmed to be medium chain length-co-long chain length PHA (mcl-co-lcl PHA) containing 3-hydroxyhexadecanoate (3HD, C14) and 3-hydroxyoctadecanoate (3HOD, C18). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a potential cost‐effective technology for the energy‐neutral treatment of wastewater. However, the successful implementation of this technology in resource recovery is still limited. In this study, a microbial electrochemical cell was designed and operated for 30 days. Critical factors for removal and recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus as struvite from wastewater were assessed. RESULTS: Optimization studies on critical factors such as the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of wastewater (500–2000 mg L−1) and cathode aeration rate (45–135 mL min−1) were conducted using a pure culture of Escherichia coli. The system yielded an average power density of 465 mW m−2, average current density of 915 mA m−2 and phosphorus recovery at an extent of 40% as struvite. Additionally, a maximum reduction in the COD of 90% with an average coulombic efficiency of about 82% was obtained at a short interval of 30 days. Solubility studies of the recovered struvite for 12 h at different pH values from 4.5 to 9 showed a maximum solubility of 80% at pH 4.5 and a minimum of 3.5% at pH 9. CONCLUSION: This study moves one step closer to applying MFC technology for nitrogen‐ and phosphorus‐rich wastewater treatment with concurrent struvite precipitation and electricity production. In this way, Sustainable Development Goals 2, 6 and 7 can be achieved through resource recovery, clean water and bioenergy. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) employing pretreated agricultural wastes as carbon sources was constructed for the removal of Pb(II) from wastewater. For this, the performance for the effects of biomass types (straw, corncob, and wood chip) and pretreatment approaches (alkali-heat, high-pressure, and untreated) towards the Pb(II) treatment as well as bioelectricity generation was systematically investigated to determine the optimal biomass carbon source. The carbon release characteristics of pretreated biomass were monitored regularly, and the straw after alkali-heat pretreatment (AT-S) was screened as the most effective promoter to enable a sustaining supplementation of carbon sources. AT-S-MFC yielded a favorable Pb(II) removal efficiency of 87.66% as well as a maximum output voltage of 184.4 mV. The power density of the device displayed a remarkable upward trend with the increasing biomass dosage, and the maximum value of 1556.34 mW/m2 was acquired. The potential for Pb(II) migration suggested that approximately 78% of Pb(II) in the system was adsorbed by the biomass and 10% was enriched on the electrode. AT-S-MFC cathode was systematically characterized to manifest the homogeneous deposition of Pb on the surface area. The obtained XPS results provided evidence for the reduction and removal of Pb(II) metal ions on the cathode. As a result, the biomass AT-S has great potential to be an alternative carbon source in the MFC system for enhanced Pb(II) remediation from contaminated waters. Overall, this study was dedicated to providing theoretical guidance for effective regulation of MFC treatment on Pb(II)-containing wastewater and accompanied by bioelectricity generation via the resource utilization of agricultural wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of agroindustrial wastewater using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is a technological strategy to harness its chemical energy while simultaneously purifying the water. This manuscript investigates the organic load effect as chemical oxygen demand (COD) on the production of electricity during the treatment of cassava wastewater by means of a dual-chamber microbial fuel cell in batch mode. Additionally, specific conditions were selected to evaluate the semi-continuous operational mode. The dynamics of microbial communities on the graphite anode were also investigated. The maximum power density delivered by the batch MFC (656.4 μW m - 2 ) was achieved at the highest evaluated organic load (6.8 g COD L - 1 ). Similarly, the largest COD removal efficiency (61.9%) was reached at the lowest organic load (1.17 g COD L - 1 ). Cyanide degradation percentages (50–70%) were achieved across treatments. The semi-continuous operation of the MFC for 2 months revealed that the voltage across the cell is dependent on the supply or suspension of the organic load feed. The electrode polarization resistance was observed to decreases over time, possibly due to the enrichment of the anode with electrogenic microbial communities. A metataxonomic analysis revealed a significant increase in bacteria from the phylum Firmicutes, primarily of the genus Enterococcus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant microbial fuel cells represent an innovative type of microbial fuel cell technology, utilizing plant rhizodeposition to fuel electrochemically active bacteria on the anode surface, thereby generating bioelectricity. This study delves into some botanical aspects of plant species employed in PMFCs and Constructed Wetland PMFCs, aiming to investigate whether their bioelectrical performance is influenced by Raunkiær life forms and root architecture. Our study involved 40 plant species described in 38 documents. In some cases, nomenclature issues prevented the interpretation of actual species used in the experiments. The bioelectrical performance of PMFCs appeared to be significantly affected by both life forms and root architecture. Therophytes and Hemicriptophytes exhibited higher median values than the other life forms, while the Geophyte group showed very high power density values despite a lower median value. In contrast, CW-PMFCs do not appeared to be significantly affected by the botanical traits considered, likely due to the limited data collected on this experimental configuration. The plant species that performed the best in PMFCs include Carex hirta, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Glyceria maxima and Canna indica, all of which have an adventitious root system. C. hirta, G. maxima and C. indica are geophytes, while A. plantago-aquatica is a hydrophyte. Consequently, epiphytes, chamaephytes and nanophanerophytes, as well as plants with fibrous root systems, appeared to be not recommended for PMFCs. Nevertheless, the results of our study may have certain limitation due to nomenclature issues that prevented the accurate identification of species used in the PMFCs, the absence of a standardized benchmark for electrical measurement, and the lack of clear match between each species and its bioelectrical performance, reducing the data pool.

Abstract Ion gradients across cell membranes generate voltage potentials that are involved in a wide range of biological processes. According to the membrane hypothesis of aging, aging is inextricably linked to a decrease in resting membrane potential (Vmem). Alterations in ion channel activity and membrane fluidity caused by aging disrupt bioelectric homeostasis, increase intracellular calcium and potassium concentrations, induce abnormal mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR)‐ and AMPK‐regulated metabolism and energy dissipation, and decrease proliferation and regeneration. Failure to maintain ion channel activity and membrane potential leads to cell senescence or death. There is evidence that by manipulating ion channel activities, a cryptic memory can be recalled to restore lost proliferative or regenerative abilities. Reversal or prevention of senescence, aging phenotypes, and longevity may be achieved by fine‐tuning mitochondrial membrane polarization. Therefore, there is optimism that deciphering the bioelectric codes that govern cell functions will lead to the development of new gero‐electroceuticals that restore cell function and prevent tissue loss during aging.

Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have attracted a great deal of attention as a promising technology for recovering electricity from organic substances by harnessing the metabolic activities of microorganisms. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a LiTa0.5Nb0.5O3/g-C3N4 (LTN/g-C3N4) heterojunction as a photocathode catalyst within a single-chamber microbial fuel cell operating under both light irradiation and dark conditions. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the composite catalyst, revealing its exceptional purity and unique properties. After 120 h of exposure to visible light, the maximal power density of the MFC containing LTN/g-C3N4-modified carbon cloth was determined to be 667.7 mW/m3. The power density achieved with the presence of light was approximately three times greater than the power density obtained without light in the MFC (235.64 mW/m3). In addition, the study determined that the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 88.4% and 66.5% when exposed to light and in the absence of light, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the non-precious LTN/g-C3N4 photocatalyst as a viable alternative for effective wastewater treatment and power generation in microbial fuel cells with a single chamber configuration.

Industrialization has brought many environmental problems since its expansion, including heavy metal contamination in water used for agricultural irrigation. This research uses microbial fuel cell technology to generate bioelectricity and remove arsenic, copper, and iron, using contaminated agricultural water as a substrate and Bacillus marisflavi as a biocatalyst. The results obtained for electrical potential and current were 0.798 V and 3.519 mA, respectively, on the sixth day of operation and the pH value was 6.54 with an EC equal to 198.72 mS/cm, with a removal of 99.08, 56.08, and 91.39% of the concentrations of As, Cu, and Fe, respectively, obtained in 72 h. Likewise, total nitrogen concentrations, organic carbon, loss on ignition, dissolved organic carbon, and chemical oxygen demand were reduced by 69.047, 86.922, 85.378, 88.458, and 90.771%, respectively. At the same time, the PDMAX shown was 376.20 ± 15.478 mW/cm2, with a calculated internal resistance of 42.550 ± 12.353 Ω. This technique presents an essential advance in overcoming existing technical barriers because the engineered microbial fuel cells are accessible and scalable. It will generate important value by naturally reducing toxic metals and electrical energy, producing electric currents in a sustainable and affordable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of large bone and articular cartilage defects caused by traumatic injury is increasing worldwide; the tissue regeneration process for these injuries is lengthy due to limited self‐healing ability. Endogenous bioelectrical phenomenon has been well recognized to play an important role in bone and cartilage homeostasis and regeneration. Studies have reported that electrical stimulation (ES) can effectively regulate various biological processes and holds promise as an external intervention to enhance the synthesis of the extracellular matrix, thereby accelerating the process of bone and cartilage regeneration. Hence, electroactive biomaterials have been considered a biomimetic approach to ensure functional recovery by integrating various physiological signals, including electrical, biochemical, and mechanical signals. This review will discuss the role of endogenous bioelectricity in bone and cartilage tissue, as well as the effects of ES on cellular behaviors. Then, recent advances in electroactive materials and their applications in bone and cartilage tissue regeneration are systematically overviewed, with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages as tissue repair materials and performances in the modulation of cell fate. Finally, the significance of mimicking the electrophysiological microenvironment of target tissue is emphasized and future development challenges of electroactive biomaterials for bone and cartilage repair strategies are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for energy resources is constantly increasing. That means need more fossil fuels to provide them. People consume a lot of food and this produces many wastes. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a new technological method with the potential to generate bioelectricity by the action of electrogenic bacteria on food wastes while reducing the amount of food wastes. This study investigated the possibility of usage of real restaurant wastewater as a fuel (substrate) for microbial fuel cell and its effects on the bacterial consortium attached to the electrodes. Mathematical (R2 > 0.96) and statistical (R2 > 0.99) models were conducted for the MFC performance focusing on the polarization curves. The study demonstrated that the highest COD removal (88.69%) in the semi-batch mode and (99.64%) in continuous mode, and power density (10.9 mW/m2) and (56.8 mW/m2) in semi-batch and continuous mode, respectively. The Bacterial diagnosis for anodophilic biofilm showed important differences in distribution and density of a heavy growth consortium after operation. This research offers restaurants an eco-friendly solution. This is because it demonstrates the benefits of using their own wastewater for power generation, reducing costs and saving the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cell technology draws attention with its ability to directly recover electrical energy from various organic materials. In this study, the operating conditions affecting the oxidation–reduction and electricity generation efficiency of MFC were optimized using the Taguchi Experimental Design model. Optimization was carried out for maximum power density, coulombic efficiency, azo dye removal, and COD removal. With the determined optimum conditions (cathode pH of 3.0, cathode oxygen status of anaerobic, anode substrate of pre-treated, external resistance of 100 Ω, cathode electrode type of plain carbon, cathode electrode surface of 22 cm2, cathode conductivity of 20 µs/cm), 177.03 mW/m2 power density, 7.50% coulombic efficiency, 91.26% azo dye removal efficiency and 21.61% COD removal efficiency were obtained. By Pareto analysis, it was determined that the power density, coulombic efficiency and COD removal efficiency were most affected by the substrate type at the anode, and the azo dye removal was most affected by the catholyte pH. The maximum power density and internal resistance of the MFC operated under optimum conditions were determined as 145.11 mW/m2 and 243.30 Ω, respectively by the polarization curve. Cyclic voltammetry was also performed for the electrochemical characterization of MFC operated under optimum conditions. An anodic peak at −183.2 mV and a cathodic peak at −181.2 mV was visible in the CV curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioelectro-Fenton (BEF) utilizes microorganisms to generate electrons at the anode and transfer them to the cathode via an external circuit to generate hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) and drive the Fenton reaction to produce OH•. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the ratio of nano zero-valent iron-containing biochar and conductive carbon black (nZVI-biochar/CCB) with the chitosan-coated on the surface of the cathode material to promote H 2 O 2 production and reduce the internal resistance of the BEF system. The BEF system using the optimized cathode catalysts showed a 2.6-fold increase in power density and a 2.03-fold increase in open-circuit voltage over the BEF reaction using graphite felt cathodes only. This finding demonstrated that the optimized cathode improved the capability of the cathode to receive electrons. The BEF system with the optimized cathodic catalyst completely removed 400 mg/L isopropanol within 24 h, and the treated wastewater was almost nonbiotoxic. [Display omitted] • Microbial fuel cells produce electricity to drive the electro-Fenton (EF) process. • Bioelectro-Fenton (BEF) process removes isopropanol from wastewater. • Optimization of cathodic catalyst ratio improves H 2 O 2 generation in the EF system. • BEF system with optimized cathodic catalyst enhances power and isopropanol removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for agricultural products has increased exponentially, causing their waste to increase and become a problem for society. Searching for sustainable solutions for organic waste management is increasingly urgent. This research focuses on considering the waste of an Andean tuber, such as Olluco, as a fuel source for generating electricity and becoming a potential sustainable energy source for companies dedicated to this area. This research used Olluco waste as fuel in single-chamber microbial fuel cells using carbon and zinc electrodes. An electric current and electric potential of 6.4 ± 0.4 mA and 0.99 ± 0.09 V were generated, operating with an electrical conductivity of 142.3 ± 6.1 mS/cm and a pH of 7.1 ± 0.2. It was possible to obtain a 94% decrease in COD and an internal resistance of 24.9 ± 2.8 Ω. The power density found was 373.8 ± 28.8 mW/cm2 and the current density was 4.96 A/cm2. On day 14, the cells were connected in earnest, achieving a power of 2.92 V and generating enough current to light an LED light bulb, thus demonstrating the potential that Olluco waste has to be used as fuel in microbial fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroceuticals have evolved beyond devices manipulating neuronal signaling for symptomatic treatment, becoming more precise and disease modulating and expanding beyond the nervous system. These advancements promise transformative applications in arthritis, cancer treatment, tissue regeneration, and more. Here, we discuss these recent advances and offer insights for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, two significant problems involve the government, population, and environment: the accelerated increase in organic waste and the need to replace conventional energy with environmentally sustainable energy. The sustainable use of organic waste is being intensely investigated to generate energy plants that produce alternative sustainable electrical energy beneficial to the population at a low cost. The novelty of this research is given by the use of pepper waste as fuel in the generation of bioelectricity, giving added value to these types of waste, benefiting farmers and companies dedicated to the export and import of these fruits, because they will be able to generate their own electrical energy using their own waste at a lower cost. For this reason, this research uses pepper waste as fuel in single-chamber microbial fuel cells manufactured at a low cost as its primary objective. The maximum values of the electric current (5.118 ± 0.065 mA) and electric potential (1.018 ± 0.101 V) were shown on the fourteenth day, with an optimal operating pH of 7.141 ± 0.134 and electrical conductivity of 112.846 ± 4.888 mS/cm. Likewise, a reduction in the COD was observed from 1210.15 ± 0.89 mg/L to 190.36 ± 16.58 mg/L in the 35 days of monitoring and with a maximum ORP of 426.995 ± 8.615 mV, whose internal resistance was 33.541 ± 2.471 Ω. The peak power density was 154.142 ± 8.151 mW/cm2 at a current density of 4.834 A/cm2, and the Rossellomorea marisflavi strain was identified with 99.57% identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing microbial fuel cell (MFC) technologies appears to be a crucial direction in bolstering wastewater treatment efforts. It ensures both energy recovery (bioelectricity production) and wastewater pre-treatment. One of the problems in the widespread use of MFCs is the generation of a small amount of electricity. Hence, a pivotal concern revolves around enhancing the efficiency of this process. One avenue of investigation in this realm involves the selection of electrode materials. In this research, a carbon-based gas diffusion electrode (GDE) was used as the anode of MFC. Whereas for the cathode, a copper mesh with various catalysts (Cu-B, Ni-Co, and Cu-Ag) was used. This research was conducted in glass MFCs with the sintered glass acting as a chamber separator. This research was conducted for various electrode systems (GDE/Cu-Ag, GDE/Ni-Co, and GDE/Cu-B). This study analyzed both the electrical parameters and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction time. In each case (for each electrode system), bioelectricity production was achieved. This work shows that when GDE is used as the anode and Cu-B, Ni-Co and Cu-Ag alloys as the cathode, the most efficient system is the GDE/Cu-Ag system. It ensures the fastest start-up, the highest power density, and the shortest COD reduction time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) consisting of a bacterial anode chamber and a microalgal cathode chamber was operated under various conditions to assess its technical feasibility. Maximum achievable power density reached up to 7.13 mW m–2. The traditional MFC process of conversion of carbon sources to bioelectricity in the anodic chamber was compared with a system circulating anodic effluent to the cathode chamber. The bacteria and microalgae simultaneously carried out the carbon recycling and recovery of energy and resources synergizing the performance of MFC. Results indicated a comparable chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies at 50% of the retention time compared to the traditional system. The dissolved oxygen concentration varied between 11.95 and 7.44 mg L–1 with Chlorella vulgaris under alternative light and dark cycles. Despite the variations in electricity output, the system showed its technical feasibility to harness energy for photosynthesis under natural sunlight conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In p-MFCs living plants photosynthesize within a bio-electrochemical circuit. The plant exudes organic waste material from the roots. In the rhizosphere, bacteria consume these wastes by oxidizing them in contrast to the atmosphere that reduces it. This redox reaction along with photosynthesis can be harnessed as bioelectricity. In this work, the plant Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal was used for generating bioelectricity from the root exudates and organic matter available in the soil. An open circuit voltage of 930±21 mV was achieved between multiple cycles of operation. The cell voltage further increased to 1260±140 mV with enrichment in the form of discards from vegetable matter. The peak recorded voltage was 1400 mV. Graphite fibre felt electrodes ensured uniform microbial growth with power densities that were achieved at 57 mW/m2 and 84 mW/m2 with and without enrichment respectively. ATR-FTIR demonstrated complete degradation of specific compounds attached to the carbon matrix in the soil along with the polysaccharide content from the enrichments. Additionally, this work also monitored the changes in soil pH and its homogeneity, the impact of photosynthetically active radiation, humidity, and the presence of CO2 in the air, and how it affects plant growth and ultimately the microbes at the rhizosphere which accounted for the bioremediation and the resultant bioelectricity production. SEM imaging provided additional evidence that the presence of electrochemically active soil bacteria, an anaerobic environment, and electrode characteristics are crucial for the development of conductive biofilms.