title: A review into the use of ceramics in microbial fuel cells.
abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer great promise as a technology that can produce electricity whilst at the same time treat wastewater. Although significant progress has been made in recent years, the requirement for cheaper materials has prevented the technology from wider, out-of-the-lab, implementation. Recently, researchers have started using ceramics with encouraging results, suggesting that this inexpensive material might be the solution for propelling MFC technology towards real world applications. Studies have demonstrated that ceramics can provide stability, improve power and treatment efficiencies, create a better environment for the electro-active bacteria and contribute towards resource recovery. This review discusses progress to date using ceramics as (i) the structural material, (ii) the medium for ion exchange and (iii) the electrode for MFCs.
authors.affiliation: Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, T-Building, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winfield
authors.affiliation: Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, T-Building, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gajda
authors.affiliation: Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, T-Building, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greenman
authors.affiliation: Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, T-Building, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK. Electronic address: ioannis.ieropoulos@brl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ieropoulos
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D006801:Humans; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Bio-electrochemical system; Ceramic; Ion exchange membrane (IEM); Microbial fuel cell; Practical implementation