In view of the increased consumption of energy due to the proliferation of electronic devices, this book addresses the trends, similarities, differences and advances in fuel cells of both chemical and biological composition. Fundamentals of microbial fuel cells are described, accompanied by details surrounding their uses and limitations. Chapters on electricigens, microbial group investigations and performance, Rumen Fluid microbes and state-of-the-art advances in microbial fuel cell technology are discussed. The book elaborates upon analytical techniques used for biofilm characterization. It also includes chapters on MFC models that include plant-based MFCs, Algal/Fungi MFCs, MDCs and MFCs using animal waste. A critical review on the performance of MFC technology in field trials is offered in an exclusively dedicated section. By addressing one of the most promising sources for clean and renewable energy, this book fills a pressing need to understand a possible solution for meeting the energy demands in our highly advanced technical world.
Dr. Venkataraman Sivasankar received his doctorate in Chemistry in 2009 from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. Presently, he is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan. He has been a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry in Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, India since 2014. His research areas include materials synthesis and wastewater treatment. He received the prestigious JSPS fellowship in 2016. To his credit, he has more than 50 research articles in Peer – Reviewed journals and five book chapters in volumes with of renowned publishers. He edited a book on Surface Modified Carbons as Scavengers of Fluoride from Water in 2016 with Springer. He collaborates and performs research with professors in universities and research laboratories in Algeria, France, Japan, Iran and South Africa.
Dr. M. Prabhakaran is an Assistant Professor of Botany in Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He completed his doctorate in 2012 at the University of Madras, Chennai, India. His research focus is on algal bio-technology which includes algal MFCs. He was awarded the DST – SERB Young Scientist Award in 2013. He has been accredited with a major project (DST) and a minor project from UGC. He is credited with 15 original research papers in national and international peer–reviewed journals, one authored book and five book chapters.
Dr. Kiyoshi Omine is a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan. His research areas of interest include soil microbial fuel cells for composting and power regeneration, geo-technical utilization of waste materials and geo-environmental improvement techniques. He is a member of several technical societies of Japan. He has authored and co-authored more than 50 research papers in national and international peer–reviewed journals. He is credited with mentoring three JSPS fellows in Kyushu and Nagasaki Universities.
