MFC Today and Future

With the increasing concern for alternative energy sources, waste management, global climate change, and non-edible feedstocks, the search for novel technological solutions continues. Fuel cells are one alternative energy technology being studied for full-scale implementation (R.A.Bullen et al., 2006). These can be classified into three subgroups: catalytic, enzymatic, and microbial. Since the turn of the century, the research on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has experienced rapid increases. MFCs are unique in their ability to utilize microorganisms, rather than an enzyme or inorganic molecule, as catalysts for converting the chemical energy of feedstock directly into electricity. Within this article, a brief description will firstly be given of the history of biofuel cells together with coverage of some of the major historical advances; finally we will discuss some of the proposed uses of biofuel cells together with a short consideration of future research possibilities and applications of these systems.