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Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) that generate electricity generation from a broad diversity of biomass and organic substrates through microbial metabolism have attracted considerable research interest as an alternative clean energy technology and energy‐efficient wastewater treatment method. Despite encouraging successes and auspicious pilot‐scale experiments of the MFCs, increasing doubts about their viability for practical large‐scale applications are being raised. Low performance, expensive core parts and materials, energy‐intensive operation, and scaling bottlenecks question a sustainable development. Instead, special MFCs for low‐power battery‐reliant devices might be more applicable and potentially realizable. Such bacteria‐powered biobatteries would enable i) a truly stand‐alone device platform suitable for use in resource‐limited and remote regions, ii) simple, on‐demand power generation within a programmed period of time, and iii) a tracelessly biodegradable battery due to the use of the bacteria used for power generation. The biobattery would be an excellent power solution for small‐scale, on‐demand, single‐use, and disposable electronics. Recent progress of small‐scale MFC‐based biobatteries is critically reviewed with specific attention toward various device platforms. Furthermore, comments and outlook related to the potential directions and challenges of the biobatteries are discussed to offer inspiration to the community and induce fruitful future research.
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Electrogenic Bacteria Promise New Opportunities for Powering, Sensing, and Synthesizing
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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- PAR ID:
- 10446022
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Small
- Volume:
- 18
- Issue:
- 18
- ISSN:
- 1613-6810
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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