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Abstract Considerable research efforts into the promises of electrogenic bacteria and the commercial opportunities they present are attempting to identify potential feasible applications. Metabolic electrons from the bacteria enable electricity generation sufficient to power portable or small‐scale applications, while the quantifiable electric signal in a miniaturized device platform can be sensitive enough to monitor and respond to changes in environmental conditions. Nanomaterials produced by the electrogenic bacteria can offer an innovative bottom‐up biosynthetic approach to synergize bacterial electron transfer and create an effective coupling at the cell–electrode interface. Furthermore, electrogenic bacteria can revolutionize the field of bioelectronics by effectively interfacing electronics with microbes through extracellular electron transfer. Here, these new directions for the electrogenic bacteria and their recent integration with micro‐ and nanosystems are comprehensively discussed with specific attention toward distinct applications in the field of powering, sensing, and synthesizing. Furthermore, challenges of individual applications and strategies toward potential solutions are provided to offer valuable guidelines for practical implementation. Finally, the perspective and view on how the use of electrogenic bacteria can hold immeasurable promise for the development of future electronics and their applications are presented.
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Harvesting Electrical Energy Produced by Electrogenic Bacteria in Microbial Fuel Cells
Cellular respiration is the process by which organic matter oxidizes, and the energy stored in the chemical bonds of the food releases. Normally, cellular respiration occurs inside the mitochondria of cells; however, a unique type of bacteria releases electrons externally. These specialized organisms are called electrogenic bacteria. Our goal is to construct a microbial fuel cell (MFC) with electrogenic bacteria, harvest the external electrons created by cellular respiration, and channel them through an external circuit to generate electricity. Mud soil, which has a high number of electrogenic bacteria in the environment, was used to construct an MFC. In the presence of gram-negative bacteria, which exist in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, the constructed MFC delivered electrical energy to an external circuit. The MFC can generate electricity, and thereby power, from biodegradable substances and organic wastes found in the environment and landfills. They can also be used to power small devices and sensors used in day-to-day activities. To determine the effect of sugar on the growth and development of bacteria present in the MFC, the quantity of sugar administered will be monitored in relation to the power generated per day.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1719425
- PAR ID:
- 10215534
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Pursue
- Volume:
- 3
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2575-159X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 17
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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