Microbial Fuel Cells

A microbial fuel cell uses electrogenic bacteria to produce electricity from organic matter.

These cells consist of two chambers —an anoxic chamber for bacteria and an oxic chamber for oxygen, separated by a proton-permeable membrane.

A continuous supply of organic carbon to the anoxic chamber serves as the metabolic substrate for bacteria.

Electrogenic bacteria, such as Geobacter sulfurreducens, oxidize organic carbon in the anoxic chamber and release electrons and protons.

These electrons get transferred to the external anode through specialized outer-membrane cytochromes and pili.

Electrons flow from the anode through an external circuit to the cathode in the oxic chamber, generating electricity.

Simultaneously, protons diffuse through the membrane to the cathode to balance the electron flow.

At the cathode, a catalyst helps electrons and protons react with oxygen to form water and complete the electrical circuit.

This process allows microbial fuel cells to use organic waste, such as wastewater, to generate power and support environmental cleanup.