Moisture‐Enabled Germination of Heat‐Activated Bacillus Endospores for Rapid and Practical Bioelectricity Generation: Toward Portable, Storable Bacteria‐Powered Biobatteries

Small‐scale battery‐like microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising alternative power source for future low‐power electronics. Controllable microbial electrocatalytic activity in a miniaturized MFC with unlimited biodegradable energy resources would enable simple power generation in various environ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2023-06, Vol.19 (26), p.e2301135-n/a
Main Authors: Rezaie, Maryam, Choi, Seokheun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
bacteria‐powered biobatteries
Biocatalysts
Biochemical fuel cells
Bioelectricity
Controllability
Energy sources
Germination
Graphene
Hydrogels
Maximum power density
Microorganisms
miniature microbial fuel cells
Moisture effects
moisture‐induced
Nanotechnology
Nutrients
on‐demand power generation
Power management
Power sources
Spores
spore‐forming biocatalysts
storable
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Summary:Small‐scale battery‐like microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising alternative power source for future low‐power electronics. Controllable microbial electrocatalytic activity in a miniaturized MFC with unlimited biodegradable energy resources would enable simple power generation in various environmental settings. However, the short shelf‐life of living biocatalysts, few ways to activate the stored biocatalysts, and extremely low electrocatalytic capabilities render the miniature MFCs unsuitable for practical use. Here, heat‐activated Bacillus subtilis spores are revolutionarily used as a dormant biocatalyst that can survive storage and rapidly germinate when exposed to special nutrients that are preloaded in the device. A microporous, graphene hydrogel allows the adsorption of moisture from the air, moves the nutrients to the spores, and triggers their germination for power generation. In particular, forming a CuO–hydrogel anode and an Ag2O–hydrogel cathode promotes superior electrocatalytic activities leading to an exceptionally high electrical performance in the MFC. The battery‐type MFC device is readily activated by moisture harvesting, producing a maximum power density of 0.4 mW cm−2 and a maximum current density of 2.2 mA cm−2. The MFC configuration is readily stackable in series and a three‐MFC pack produces enough power for several low‐power applications, demonstrating its practical feasibility as a sole power source. A battery‐like microbial fuel cell (MFC) that can be stored for a relatively long period without the degradation of biocatalytic activity and can be rapidly activated by absorbing moisture from the air is described. While the low power capacity of conventional miniature MFCs limits their practical application and commercialization, their performance is revolutionized and high electrical power is attained.
ISSN:1613-6810
1613-6829
DOI:10.1002/smll.202301135