AUTHOR=Angelaalincy Maria Joseph , Navanietha Krishnaraj Rathinam , Shakambari Ganeshan , Ashokkumar Balasubramaniem , Kathiresan Shanmugam , Varalakshmi Perumal 

TITLE=Biofilm Engineering Approaches for Improving the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioelectrochemical Systems

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Energy Research

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2018

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/energy-research/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2018.00063

DOI=10.3389/fenrg.2018.00063

ISSN=2296-598X

ABSTRACT=Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are emerging as a promising future technology for a wide range of applications such as bioremediation, desalination, production of biofuels/value-added products in addition to sustainable electricity generation.  Electroactive (EA) biofilms are the key players in any bioelectrochemical systems including MFCs. They are involved in the catalyzing oxidation/reduction reactions as well as mediating the electron transfer at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Low power output of the MFCs remains a major limitation in MFCs and biofilm engineering is an ideal option for improving the rates of microbial electrocatalysis. Herein, we critically address the biofilm  formation mechanisms in electroactive microorganisms, strategies for improving the biofilm formation leading to improved electrocatalytic rates for applications in bioelectrochemical systems.