Microbial biofilm-based hydrovoltaic technology

Jian Lü; Guoping Ren; Qichang Hu; Christopher Rensing; Shungui Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.012

Microbial biofilm-based hydrovoltaic technology

Trends Biotechnol. 2023 Sep;41(9):1155-1167. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.012. Epub 2023 Apr 19.

Authors

Jian Lü¹, Guoping Ren¹, Qichang Hu¹, Christopher Rensing¹, Shungui Zhou²

Affiliations

¹ Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, No. 15 Shang Xia Dian Road, Fuzhou 350002, China.
² Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, No. 15 Shang Xia Dian Road, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: sgzhou@fafu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37085401
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.012

Abstract

Hydrovoltaic electricity generation (HEG) utilizes the latent environmental heat stored in water, and subsequently harvests the electrical energy. However, sustainable HEG has remained extremely challenging due either to complex fabrication and high cost, or to restricted environmental compatibility and renewability. Electroactive microorganisms are environmentally abundant and viable in performing directional electron transport to produce currents. These distinctive features have inspired microbial HEG systems that can convert environmental energy into hygroelectricity upon water circulation from raindrops, waves, and water moisture, and has recently succeeded as proof of concept for becoming a cutting-edge biotechnology. In this review, recent advances in microbial biofilm-based hydrovoltaic technology are highlighted to better understand a promising method of electricity generation from environmental energy with the aim of practical applications.

Keywords: electricity generation; electron transfer; hydrovoltaic; microbial biofilm.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bioelectric Energy Sources*
Biofilms
Biotechnology / methods
Electricity
Electrodes
Electrons