Environmental Robotics and Self-sustainable Technologies

The concept of "Fade to green" involves using biodegradable stacks of MFCs, which harness the metabolic processes of microbes to generate electricity. This approach aligns with the lifecycle of soft robots that can eat, drink, live, die, and decay, integrating seamlessly into natural environments. Studies comparing the stability of biodegradable, ceramic, and cation exchange membranes in MFCs highlight the potential for long-term use, with biodegradable options offering a sustainable alternative that reduces environmental impact while maintaining efficiency.

• Fade to green: a biodegradable stack of microbial fuel cells
• Eating, drinking, living, dying and decaying soft robots
• Comparing the short and long term stability of biodegradable, ceramic and cation exchange membranes in microbial fuel cells

Robots equipped with BES can be deployed for continuous water quality monitoring in various aquatic environments. Sensing using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has shown great potential in environmental monitoring and energy harvesting. The long-term feasibility study of in-field floating MFCs demonstrated their effectiveness in monitoring anoxic wastewater while generating power, proved stable and reliable, making them suitable for remote sensing applications. Additionally, research on the stability and reliability of anodic biofilms under different feedstock conditions highlighted the adaptability of MFC sensors. By maintaining stable power output and biofilm activity, these sensors can effectively monitor environmental changes, providing a sustainable and efficient solution for real-time data collection.

• Long term feasibility study of in-field floating microbial fuel cells for monitoring anoxic wastewater and energy harvesting
• Stability and reliability of anodic biofilms under different feedstock conditions: Towards microbial fuel cell sensors

Autonomous recovery in the context of resources involves harnessing the microbial power to convert waste into valuable resources, such as nutrients and clean water, which can be reused, for example in agriculture. By integrating BES, this approach not only enhances resource efficiency but also promotes sustainability by reducing waste and minimising the reliance on chemical fertilisers.

MFCs have shown nutrient recovery and electricity generation in innovative ways including dual benefits of electricity generation and the recovery of struvite, a valuable fertiliser, while producing power. Through recovery, showing how MFCs can enhance wastewater treatment by recovering key macronutrients and water as a by-product. These advancements highlight the potential of MFCs in creating sustainable and efficient systems for nutrient recovery and environmental protection.

• Electricity generation and struvite recovery from human urine using microbial fuel cells
• Water formation at the cathode and sodium recovery using microbial fuel cells (MFCs)
• Microbial Fuel Cell-driven caustic potash production from wastewater for carbon sequestration

MFC demonstrate the electrosynthesis of catholyte, a disinfectant, during electricity generation from wastewater, highlighting the dual benefits of power production and sanitation. The catholyte formation at the cathode is showing how MFCs can enhance wastewater treatment by recovering valuable resources (nutrients and water). Additionally, MFCs have been used to generate disinfectant from urine through electroosmotic drag, effectively inactivating pathogenic species such as Salmonella. The improved electrofiltration and long-term power output is making these systems more efficient and sustainable.

• Electroosmotically generated disinfectant from urine as a by-product of electricity in microbial fuel cell for the inactivation of pathogenic species
• Electricity and disinfectant production from wastewater: Microbial Fuel Cell as a self-powered electrolyser
• Simultaneous electricity generation and microbially-assisted electrosynthesis in ceramic MFCs
• A new method for urine electrofiltration and long term power enhancement using surface modified anodes with activated carbon in ceramic microbial fuel cells

Implementation of MFCs in the field of sanitation is offering a dual solution to wastewater treatment and energy generation. This technology not only improves sanitation in remote and off-grid areas but also provides a renewable energy source for lighting and other small electrical devices. The success of MFCs in treating urine and generating power opens up new possibilities for sustainable sanitation solutions, particularly in regions lacking proper infrastructure. Field Trials included:  

• Pee power urinal–microbial fuel cell technology field trials in the context of sanitation 
• PEE POWER® urinal II–Urinal scale-up with microbial fuel cell scale-down for improved lighting 
• Multidimensional Benefits of Improved Sanitation: Evaluating ‘PEE POWER®’ in Kisoro, Uganda 

Carbon capture can be achieved by electro-osmotic-based catholyte production, where MFCs generate a caustic catholyte that captures carbon dioxide by forming carbonate and bicarbonate salts. This process not only aids in carbon capture but also enhances the environmental sustainability of wastewater treatment. Additionally, MFCs can produce self-sustainable electricity from algae, leveraging the photosynthetic capabilities of algae to generate oxygen and power simultaneously. This method integrates wastewater treatment with energy production, creating a closed-loop system that maximises resource efficiency and sustainability. 

• Electro-osmotic-based catholyte production by Microbial Fuel Cells for carbon capture 
• Self-sustainable electricity production from algae grown in a microbial fuel cell system

Living architecture powered by MFCs represents an innovative approach to creating energy-generating buildings. This concept integrates MFC technology directly into building materials, such as bricks, to produce electricity from organic matter while simultaneously treating waste. The technology's potential extends beyond electricity generation, as it can also contribute to wastewater treatment and reduce the environmental impact of buildings, marking a significant step towards truly sustainable architecture. 

• Living architecture: toward energy generating buildings powered by microbial fuel cells