Surajit Mondal, Shankha Shubhra Goswami

Journal of Sustainability for Energy • 2024

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising bio-electrochemical technology with the potential for sustainable energy generation and environmental remediation.These systems exploit the metabolic processes of microorganisms to directly convert organic substrates into electrical energy, providing an environmentally benign alternative to traditional energy sources.The operation of MFCs relies on intricate biological and electrochemical interactions, where microorganisms transfer electrons to electrodes, generating an electric current.MFCs can be classified based on their configuration, electron transfer mechanisms, and operational conditions, each offering distinct advantages and limitations in different contexts.Recent developments in MFC technology have focused on improving power density, stability, and scalability.Innovations in electrode materials, biocatalysts, and reactor design have enhanced energy output, making MFCs more viable for real-world applications.Notably, MFCs show promise in wastewater treatment, as they can simultaneously degrade organic pollutants and generate electricity, thus offering a dual-function solution that contributes to both sustainable energy production and environmental cleanup.Despite these advances, several challenges persist, including the high cost of materials, limited power output, and the need for better integration into existing infrastructure.These issues hinder the widespread adoption of MFCs.Future research must focus on the development of cost-effective materials, the optimization of reactor design, and scaling the technology to achieve commercial feasibility.With continued innovation and refinement, MFCs hold the potential to play a transformative role in renewable energy systems and integrated waste management strategies, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development.

John Sunday Uzochukwu, Nweke Chinenyenwa Nkeiruka, Nwachukwu Josiah Odinaka et al.

Archives of Case Reports • 2025

Alginate, a naturally occurring biopolymer extracted from brown algae, presents a promising avenue for developing sustainable and efficient membranes for wastewater treatment. This review comprehensively examines recent advancements in the fabrication, modification, and application of alginate-based membranes for effective water purification. The paper delves into various fabrication techniques, including casting, electrospinning, and 3D printing, which influence the structural and functional properties of the resulting alginate membranes. To enhance performance, strategies such as crosslinking, incorporation of porogens, and surface functionalization are employed. These modifications optimize crucial properties like mechanical strength, porosity, selectivity, and antifouling resistance. Furthermore, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has emerged as a valuable tool for systematically optimizing fabrication parameters, enabling researchers to identify optimal conditions for achieving desired membrane characteristics. The integration of alginate membranes with biological treatment processes, such as phycoremediation (utilizing microalgae) and mycoremediation (employing fungi), offers a synergistic approach to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency. By immobilizing these microorganisms within the alginate matrix, their bioremediation capabilities are amplified, leading to improved pollutant degradation and nutrient removal. In conclusion, alginate-based membranes demonstrate significant potential as a sustainable and effective technology for wastewater treatment. Continued research and development, focusing on optimizing fabrication processes and exploring innovative integration strategies with biological systems, will further advance the application of alginate membranes in addressing the pressing global challenge of water pollution.

Fernando Gomes de Souza, Kaushik Pal, Jeffrey Dankwa Ampah et al.

Materials • 2023

Among the most relevant themes of modernity, using renewable resources to produce biofuels attracts several countries' attention, constituting a vital part of the global geopolitical chessboard since humanity's energy needs will grow faster and faster. Fortunately, advances in personal computing associated with free and open-source software production facilitate this work of prospecting and understanding complex scenarios. Thus, for the development of this work, the keywords "biofuel" and "nanocatalyst" were delivered to the Scopus database, which returned 1071 scientific articles. The titles and abstracts of these papers were saved in Research Information Systems (RIS) format and submitted to automatic analysis via the Visualization of Similarities Method implemented in VOSviewer 1.6.18 software. Then, the data extracted from the VOSviewer were processed by software written in Python, which allowed the use of the network data generated by the Visualization of Similarities Method. Thus, it was possible to establish the relationships for the pair between the nodes of all clusters classified by Link Strength Between Items or Terms (LSBI) or by year. Indeed, other associations should arouse particular interest in the readers. However, here, the option was for a numerical criterion. However, all data are freely available, and stakeholders can infer other specific connections directly. Therefore, this innovative approach allowed inferring that the most recent pairs of terms associate the need to produce biofuels from microorganisms' oils besides cerium oxide nanoparticles to improve the performance of fuel mixtures by reducing the emission of hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Yen‐Yi Lee, Srinivaas Masimukku, I-Cheng Li et al.

Reactions • 2024

Biorefineries play a critical role in addressing current global sustainability challenges by converting renewable biomass into valuable products such as biofuels, biochemicals, and bioenergy. The necessity of biorefineries has increased due to the growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels, mitigating climate change, and reducing environmental impact. Utilizing agricultural byproducts, forest residues, and municipal waste, biorefineries harness feedstock through techniques such as pretreatment, anaerobic digestion, and thermochemical transformation, alongside advanced methods including electrochemical processes, hydrogenation of bio-derived substances, and the implementation of complex biocatalysts within biomass-oriented biorefineries. These processes enhance the efficiency of bioenergy production by breaking down complex biomass into simpler components. The current capacity of biorefineries is expanding globally, with increasing interest in advanced technologies such as gasification, fermentation, and enzymatic conversion. While biorefineries offer significant potential for reducing waste and promoting a circular economy, challenges such as scalability and cost efficiency remain. Future trends include integrating new biotechnological advances and optimizing resource recovery systems to improve yield, profitability, and sustainability in the bioeconomy.

Shajjadur Rahman Shajid, Monjur Mourshed, Md. Golam Kibria et al.

Energies • 2025

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bio-electrochemical systems that harness microorganisms to convert organic pollutants in wastewater directly into electricity, offering a dual solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation. This paper presents a holistic techno-economic and environmental feasibility assessment of large-scale MFC deployment in Dhaka’s industrial zone, Bangladesh, as a relevant case study. Here, treating 100,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily would require a capital investment of approximately USD 500 million, with a total project cost ranging between USD 307.38 million and 1.711 billion, depending on system configurations. This setup has an estimated theoretical energy recovery of 478.4 MWh/day and a realistic output of 382 MWh/day, translating to a per-unit energy cost of USD 0.2–1/kWh. MFCs show great potential for treating wastewater and addressing energy challenges. However, this paper explores remaining challenges, including high capital costs, electrode and membrane inefficiencies, and scalability issues.

Ameer Ali Kubar, Shahid Mehmood, Michael Schagerl et al.

Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts • 2025

This study introduces a novel hybrid photobioreactor system that integrates an open raceway pond (ORWP) with a Nested-bottled photobioreactor (NB-PBR) in a closed-loop configuration to enhance microalgal biomass production and CO₂ fixation. The system facilitates continuous culture circulation, improving mass transfer and mixing efficiency while ensuring optimal light exposure and CO₂ dissolution. This design resulted in a 38% increase in dry mass (3.1 g/L) and improved mass transfer and mixing times by 16.6% and 15.3%, respectively. The optimized cultivation conditions led to a 39.9% enhancement in CO₂ fixation and an 8.7% increase in photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) compared to traditional systems. The strategic movement of poorly illuminated ORWP to the NB-PBR maximized light absorption and nutrient uptake, significantly boosting overall productivity. These findings highlight the potential of hybrid photobioreactor systems in improving microalgal growth efficiency and advancing sustainable algal cultivation for commercial applications.

Devina Syifa Nabila, Rosamond Chan, Rizky Riscahya Pratama Syamsuri et al.

Current Research in Microbial Sciences • 2024

The increasing demand for sustainable energy has brought biobutanol as a potential substitute for fossil fuels. The Clostridium genus is deemed essential for biobutanol synthesis due to its capability to utilize various substrates. However, challenges in maintaining fermentation continuity and achieving commercialization persist due to existing barriers, including butanol toxicity to Clostridium , low substrate utilization rates, and high production costs. Proper substrate selection significantly impacts fermentation efficiency, final product quality, and economic feasibility in Clostridium biobutanol production. This review examines underutilized substrates for biobutanol production by Clostridium, which offer opportunities for environmental sustainability and a green economy. Extensive research on Clostridium , focusing on strain development and genetic engineering, is essential to enhance biobutanol production. Additionally, critical suggestions for optimizing substrate selection to enhance Clostridium biobutanol production efficiency are also provided in this review. In the future, cost reduction and advancements in biotechnology may make biobutanol a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Da‐Cheng Hao, X. F. Li, Yaoxuan Wang et al.

Agronomy • 2025

The xeno-fungusphere, a novel microbial ecosystem formed by integrating exogenous fungi, indigenous soil microbiota, and electroactive microorganisms within microbial fuel cells (MFCs), offers a transformative approach for agricultural remediation and medicinal plant conservation. By leveraging fungal enzymatic versatility (e.g., laccases, cytochrome P450s) and conductive hyphae, this system achieves dual benefits. First, it enables efficient degradation of recalcitrant agrochemicals, such as haloxyfop-P, with a removal efficiency of 97.9% (vs. 72.4% by fungi alone) and a 27.6% reduction in activation energy. This is driven by a bioelectric field (0.2–0.5 V/cm), which enhances enzymatic activity and accelerates electron transfer. Second, it generates bioelectricity, up to 9.3 μW/cm2, demonstrating real-world applicability. In medicinal plant soils, xeno-fungusphere MFCs restore soil health by stabilizing the pH, enriching dehydrogenase activity, and promoting nutrient cycling, thereby mitigating agrochemical-induced inhibition of secondary metabolite synthesis (e.g., ginsenosides, taxol). Field trials show 97.9% herbicide removal in 60 days, outperforming conventional methods. Innovations, such as adaptive electrodes, engineered strains, and phytoremediation-integrated systems, have been used to address soil and fungal limitations. This technology bridges sustainable agriculture and bioenergy recovery, offering the dual benefits of soil detoxification and enhanced crop quality. Future IoT-enabled monitoring and circular economy integration promise scalable, precision-based applications for global agroecological resilience.

Xiaohan Shao, Yixuan Huang, Robert M. Wood et al.

Journal of Hazardous Materials • 2024

Цветелина Петрова, Iliyana Naydenova, João Ribau et al.

Applied Sciences • 2023

The present work aims at (a) carbonizing agriculture biomass residue; (b) characterizing the obtained biochar; and (c) exploring its potential use for energy/resource recovery purposes. Six types of biomass were carbonized. The biochar was investigated through scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector, thermogravimetric (TGA), proximate, ultimate, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyses, along with bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, and salt content measurements. The results served as input data for multi-criteria, multi-objective decision analysis of biochar, aiming to evaluate its best application prospective. The TGA identified two general stages: devolatilization (stage 2: 180–560 °C), and combustion (stage 3: 560–720 °C). The activation energy of stage 2 decreased with an increasing heating rate, but the opposite trend was observed for stage 3. The biochar CO2 adsorption suggested possible applications beyond energy conversion technologies. The decision support analysis revealed that peach stones, cherry stones, and grape pomace biochar achieved the most promising results for all evaluated applications (biofuel; catalyst; CO2 sequestration and soil amendment; supercapacitor) in contrast to colza, softwood, or sunflower husks char.

Isaac Dekker, Shabnam Sharifyazd, Evans Batung et al.

Sustainability • 2021

Nature-based solutions (NbS) build upon the proven contribution of well-managed and diverse ecosystems to enhance resilience of human societies. They include alternatives to techno-industrial solutions that aim to enhance social-ecological integration by providing simultaneous benefits to nature (such as biodiversity protection and green/blue space) and society (such as ecosystem services and climate resiliency). Yet, many NbS exhibit aspects of a technological or engineered ecosystem integrated into nature; this techno-ecological coupling has not been widely considered. In this work, our aim is to investigate this coupling through a high-level and cross-disciplinary analysis of NbS for water security (quantity, quality, and/or water-related risk) across the spectrums of naturalness, biota scale, and benefits to nature and society. Within the limitations of our conceptual analysis, we highlight the clear gap between “nature” and “nature-based” for most NbS. We present a preliminary framework for advancing innovation efforts in NbS towards maximizing benefits to both nature and society, and offer examples in biophysical innovation and innovation to maximize techno-ecological synergies (TES).

Leonardo Marchiori, Maria Vitoria Morais, André Studart et al.

Energies • 2023

Geoenvironmental engineering involves defining solutions for complex problems, such as containment systems management, contaminant transport control, wastewater management, remediation of contaminated sites and valorization of geomaterials and wastes. In the last years, energy harvesting (EH)—or energy scavenging—methods and technologies have been developed to reduce the dependence on traditional energy sources, namely fossil fuels, and nuclear power, also responding to the increase in energy demands for human activities and to fulfill sustainable development goals. EH in geoenvironmental works and the surrounding soil and water environment includes a set of processes for capturing and accumulating energy from several sources considered wasted or unusable associated with soil dynamics; the stress and strain of geomaterials, hydraulic, vibrations, biochemical, light, heating and wind sources can be potential EH systems. Therefore, this work presents a review of the literature and critical analysis on the main opportunities for EH capturing, accumulating and use in geoenvironmental works, among basic electric concepts and mechanisms, analyzing these works in complex conditions involving biological-, chemical-, mechanical-, hydraulic- and thermal-coupled actions, concluding with the main investigation and challenges within geoenvironmental aspects for EH purposes.

Maryam Shirdashtzadeh, Lloyd H.C. Chua, Lambert Bräu

Frontiers in Water • 2022

Microbial communities play a vital role in nitrogen (N) removal in constructed wetlands (CWs). However, the lack of studies on microbial characteristics of wetland systems designed to treat stormwater demonstrates the importance of comprehensive investigation on microbial response to wetland fluctuations. Moreover, the observed inconsistency in N removal, and detected links between microbial shifts and wetland water level fluctuations is an area of research interest perculiar to stormwater applications. This study surveyed nearly 150 publications to provide a summary and evaluation of N removal efficiency in different types of CWs where microbial communities and their behavior have been correlated to regulating factors. Factors such as flow regime, plants, and physico-chemical properties (e.g., temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and nitrogen concentration) were found to significantly influence microbial diversity and composition. Although many studies have analyzed microbial N removal, a majority conducted their studies in bioretention systems. Accordingly, some of the microbial pathways in CWs designed for stormwater treatment have not been investigated. As such, it is suggested that pathways, such as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and comammox activity and their changes over dry-wet cycles in stormwater constructed wetlands be investigated. This information could assist engineers to take advantage of the presence of other N transforming communities which could improve microbial diversity within wetland systems. Moreover, it is recommended to track microbial functional genes and their changes over wetland water fluctuation to develop an ecosystem with conditions favorable for microbial pathways with higher N removal potential. In conclusion, the findings of the current literature review reinforce the importance of stormwater runoff treatment and the implementation of new design strategies that are able to enhance microbial activity and diversity leading to a better treatment outcome.

Fahim Hossain

Journal of Water and Climate Change • 2020

Abstract Erratic patterns in climate have been forcing people to develop new adaptation and mitigation tools. Although world leaders have agreed to control greenhouse gases' (GHGs) emission, the current rate of emission may not stop global climate change (GCC). Scientists have been working to scientifically explain the effects of GHG emission on GCC, however, all climate changing phenomena may not be fully understandable now and more research is necessary to comprehend those knowledge gaps. Climate change has been severely affecting the ecological and socio-economic development but these effects can be mitigated by supporting sustainable technological and economic development as AMs and MPs. MPs to climate change may trade off the negative impacts of GCC and exploring and employing lucrative opportunities in blue economy can help in developing those AMs and MPs. Moreover, it is not possible to rapidly divert all global manufacturing processes into benign technological and economic perfection. For this reason, Bangladesh and other coastal countries are very aware of the need to introduce cost-effective AMs and MPs and society and environment oriented blue economy. Some worthwhile adaptation and mitigation strategies are discussed to minimize the carbon footprint, as remedies to curtail GCC impacts. Scientific relations of GCC with GHG emission and opportunities of blue economy are also explored.

Deniela Wongsodiharjo, Yunita Ismail Masjud

Sustainable Urban Development and Environmental Impact Journal. • 2024

Background: The greenhouse effect cause the temperature in earth, one of the main contributor in GHG g emission is carbon dioxide (CO2). In order to reducing GHGs empathize in mitigation can be one of the way. By implementing Carbon capture using Algae, where it considered as the main resource of renewable biofuel in the future and possibly play important role in the mitigation of the greenhouse effect. By utilize the photosynthesis process from algae, it can be used for CO2 sequestration as a great potential to reduce GHS gas. The objectives of this research is to understanding and know the process and benefit on using microalgae as the carbon dioxide capture to mitigate climate change (reducing Green House Gas emission). Method and results: The method use in this literature review, method that firstly discussed is the general description with pro cons of carbon capture technology method also with the background in order to reducing the highest contributor of Green House gas Emission (GHGs) which is Carbon Dioxide (CO2), from this utilizing the natural process method from photosynthesis of microalgae whose need a lot source of CO2 being the most beneficial method, and the end of product create a biomass and that will be helping to reducing the use of fossil fuel. Discussing the photosynthesis system it can be far from light dependent and light independent reaction since both of it is a recycled system. Therefore, implementing carbon dioxide capture using microalgae is very useful. Though there still need improvement in this sector. Conclusion: Carbon capture using Microalgae CO2 sequestration is one of the promising way to mitigate climate change and control environmental pollution is by fixing CO2 in the atmosphere and recovering organics from wastewater.

Xinyu Wang, Boyang Zhang, Jicong Zhang et al.

Science Advances • 2024

Semi-artificial Z-scheme systems offer promising potential toward efficient solar-to-chemical conversion, yet sustainable and stable designs are currently lacking. Here, we developed a sustainable hybrid Z-scheme system capable for visible light-driven overall water splitting by integrating the durability of inorganic photocatalysts with the interfacial adhesion and regenerative property of bacterial biofilms. The Z-scheme configuration is fabricated by drop casting a mixture of photocatalysts onto a glass plate, followed by the growth of biofilms for conformal conductive paste through oxidative polymerization of pyrrole molecules. Notably, the system exhibited scalability indicated by consistent catalytic efficiency across various sheet areas, resistance observed by remarkable maintaining of photocatalytic efficiency across a range of background pressures, and high stability as evidenced by minimal decay of photocatalytic efficiency after 100-hour reaction. Our work thus provides a promising avenue toward sustainable and high-efficiency artificial photosynthesis, contributing to the broader goal of sustainable energy solutions.

Ilham Essafri, Bappa Ghosh, Caroline Desgranges et al.

Physics of Fluids • 2022

We review recent advances in the design, synthesis, and modeling of active fluids. Active fluids have been at the center of many technological innovations and theoretical advances over the past two decades. Research on this new class of fluids has been inspired by the fascinating and remarkably efficient strategies that biological systems employ, leading to the development of biomimetic nano- and micro-machines and swimmers. The review encompasses active fluids on both the nano- and micro-scale. We start with examples of biological active systems before we discuss how experimentalists leverage novel propulsion mechanisms to power nano- and micro-machines. We then examine how the study of these far-from-equilibrium systems has prompted the development of new simulation methods and theoretical models in nonequilibrium physics to account for their mechanical, thermodynamic, and emergent properties. Recent advances in the field have paved the way for the design, synthesis, and modeling of autonomous systems at the nano- and micro-scale and opened the door to the development of soft matter robotics.

Jessica Verdezoto-Prado, Cristhian Chicaiza-Ortiz, Ana Belén Mejía-Pérez et al.

Discover Applied Sciences • 2025

CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as the predominant method for genome editing due to its cost-effectiveness and broad applicability, playing a crucial role in advancing sustainable practices across various sectors. This systematic review employs the PRISMA methodology to evaluate the impact of CRISPR/Cas9 on environmental protection and on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, and SDG15. These goals focus on the responsible use of natural resources, reducing the negative effects of climate change and ensuring safe food for the entire population. Analyzing data from the Web of Science, the review found significant growth in related publications, with a 30% increase since 2014, predominantly from the US, China, Germany, and the UK. The study categorizes the scientific developments into these trends, the enhancement of plant tolerance to environmental stresses, as evidenced by the consistent focus on terms such as “tolerance” and “plant” since 2021. Furthermore, the relevance of “Gene Editing” has increased significantly since 2022, underscoring the importance of CRISPR/Cas9 in developing resilient crops that can withstand extreme conditions. These trends underscore the growing significance of biotechnological advancements in the mitigation of climate change’s effects and the improvement of ecosystem stability. Key discussions include CRISPR/Cas9’s role in the development of fourth-generation biofuels and environmental biosensors, as well as its applications in enhancing genetic resilience and controlling invasive species. These innovations highlight CRISPR/Cas9’s potential in promoting sustainable resource management and energy generation, making a significant contribution to ecological conservation and sustainability efforts.

Jianqi Yuan, Jens Appel, Kirstin Gutekunst et al.

Environmental Science and Ecotechnology • 2024

Biophotovoltaics (BPV) represents an innovative biohybrid technology that couples electrochemistry with oxygenic photosynthetic microbes to harness solar energy and convert it into electricity. Central to BPV systems is the ability of microbes to perform extracellular electron transfer (EET), utilizing an anode as an external electron sink. This process simultaneously serves as an electron sink and enhances the efficiency of water photolysis compared to conventional electrochemical water splitting. However, optimizing BPV systems has been hindered by a limited understanding of EET pathways and their impacts on cellular physiology. Here we show photosynthetic electron flows in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cultivated in a ferricyanide-mediated BPV system. By monitoring carbon fixation rates and photosynthetic oxygen exchange, we reveal that EET does not significantly affect cell growth, respiration, carbon fixation, or photosystem II efficiency. However, EET competes for electrons with the flavodiiron protein flv1/3, influencing Mehler-like reactions. Our findings suggest that the ferricyanide mediator facilitates photosynthetic electron extraction from ferredoxins downstream of photosystem I. Additionally, the mediator induces a more reduced plastoquinone pool, an effect independent of EET. At very high ferricyanide concentrations, the electron transport chain exhibits responses resembling the impact of trace cyanide. These insights provide a molecular-level understanding of EET pathways in Synechocystis within BPV systems, offering a foundation for the future refinement of BPV technologies.

Fatemeh Ahmadi, Maximilian Lackner

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology • 2024

The potential consequences for mankind could be disastrous due to global warming, which arises from an increase in the average temperature on Earth. The elevation in temperature primarily stems from the escalation in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O within the atmosphere. Among these gases, methane (CH 4 ) is particularly significant in driving alterations to the worldwide climate. Methanotrophic bacteria possess the distinctive ability to employ methane as both as source of carbon and energy. These bacteria show great potential as exceptional biocatalysts in advancing C1 bioconversion technology. The present review describes recent findings in methanotrophs including aerobic and anaerobic methanotroph bacteria, phenotypic characteristics, biotechnological potential, their physiology, ecology, and native multi-carbon utilizing pathways, and their molecular biology. The existing understanding of methanogenesis and methanotrophy in soil, as well as anaerobic methane oxidation and methanotrophy in temperate and extreme environments, is also covered in this discussion. New types of methanogens and communities of methanotrophic bacteria have been identified from various ecosystems and thoroughly examined for a range of biotechnological uses. Grasping the processes of methanogenesis and methanotrophy holds significant importance in the development of innovative agricultural techniques and industrial procedures that contribute to a more favorable equilibrium of GHG. This current review centers on the diversity of emerging methanogen and methanotroph species and their effects on the environment. By amalgamating advanced genetic analysis with ecological insights, this study pioneers a holistic approach to unraveling the biopotential of methanotrophs, offering unprecedented avenues for biotechnological applications. KEY POINTS: • The physiology of methanotrophic bacteria is fundamentally determined. • Native multi-carbon utilizing pathways in methanotrophic bacteria are summarized. • The genes responsible for encoding methane monooxygenase are discussed.

Sara Taghavi Kalajahi, Archismita Misra, Andrea Koerdt

Frontiers in Nanotechnology • 2024

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a crucial issue for industry and infrastructure. Biofilms are known to form on different kinds of surfaces such as metal, concrete, and medical equipment. However, in some cases the effect of microorganisms on the material can be negative for the consistency and integrity of the material. Thus, to overcome the issues raised by MIC on a system, different physical, chemical, and biological strategies have been considered; all having their own advantages, limitations, and sometimes even unwanted disadvantages. Among all the methods, biocide treatments and antifouling coatings are more common for controlling MIC, though they face some challenges. They lack specificity for MIC microorganisms, leading to cross-resistance and requiring higher concentrations. Moreover, they pose environmental risks and harm non-target organisms. Hence, the demand for eco-friendly, long-term solutions is increasing as regulations tighten. Recently, attentions have been directed to the application of nanomaterials to mitigate or control MIC due to their significant antimicrobial efficiency and their potential for lower environmental risk compared to the conventional biocides or coatings. Use of nanomaterials to inhibit MIC is very new and there is a lack of literature review on this topic. To address this issue, we present a review of the nanomaterials examined as a biocide or in a form of a coating on a surface to mitigate MIC. This review will help consolidate the existing knowledge and research on the use of nanomaterials for MIC mitigation. It will further contribute to a better understanding of the potential applications and challenges associated with using nanomaterials for MIC prevention and control.

Shamim Aryampa, Richard M. Stuetz, Ruth M. Fisher et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production • 2025

There is an increasing push for wastewater treatment (WWT) plants to convert into resource recovery facilities, with an overall aim for the integrated recovery of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C). This literature review evaluates the effectiveness of various municipal WWT systems and biosolid management processes for the integrated recovery of these nutrients. Results indicated that when recovering P, N and C, no single WWT system configuration is superior to others in all settings. Instead, a careful combination of processes needs to be matched to the specific wastewater and biosolids characteristics of a WWT facility. Generally, P is primarily retained in biosolids, while C and N retention varies depending on the system design. An integration of enhanced biological phosphorus removal with N-assimilating heterotrophs is proposed for energy-efficient recovery of the three nutrients from wastewater with high chemical oxygen demand (>550 mg/L) with potential average recovery rates of 90%, 79% and 67% for P, N and C, respectively. In low chemical oxygen demand (<350 mg/L) systems, the sequential or combined application of chemical precipitation and phototrophic N-assimilation offers a viable approach to enhance integrated nutrient recovery. Phosphorus recovery has been reported as economically feasible in both mainstream and sidestream processes but recovering N from the mainstream is still generally challenging, with the focus being on N recovery from sidestreams. However, using N-assimilating organisms provides an opportunity for increased energy-efficient N recovery from the mainstream, thereby reducing N losses to the atmosphere. • Strategic process configurations can recover N, P and C instead of one nutrient. • Mainstream N can effectively be recovered using N-assimilating organisms. • Proposed system designs for integrated recovery of N, P and C are COD dependent. • N-assimilating heterotrophs are more efficient for N recovery in high COD water. • N-assimilating phototrophs are more suited for low-COD wastewater treatment.

Manuel W. Bickel

Energy Sustainability and Society • 2019

Abstract Background Facing planetary boundaries, we need a sustainable energy system providing its life support function for society in the long-term within environmental limits. Since science plays an important role in decision-making, this study examines the thematic landscape of research on sustainable energy, which may contribute to a sustainability transformation. Understanding the structure of the research field allows for critical reflections and the identification of blind spots for advancing this field. Methods The study applies a text mining approach on 26533 Scopus-indexed abstracts published from 1990 to 2016 based on a latent Dirichlet allocation topic model. Models with up 1100 topics were created. Based on coherence scores and manual inspection, the model with 300 topics was selected. These statistical methods served for highlighting timely topic trends, differing thematic fields, and emerging communities in the topic network. The study critically reflects the quantitative results from a sustainability perspective. Results The study identifies a focus on establishing and optimizing the energy infrastructure towards 100% renewable energies through key modern technology areas: materials science, (biological) process engineering, and (digital) monitoring and control systems. Energy storage, photonic materials, nanomaterials, or biofuels belong to the topics with the strongest trends. The study identifies decreasing trends for general aspects regarding sustainable development and related economic, environmental, and political issues. Conclusions The discourse is latently adopting a technology-oriented paradigm focusing on renewable energy generation and is moving away from the multi-faceted concept of sustainability. The field has the potential to contribute to climate change mitigation by optimizing renewable energy systems. However, given the complexity of these systems, horizontal integration of the various valuable vertical research strands is required. Furthermore, the holistic ecological perspective considering the global scale that has originally motivated research on sustainable energy might be re-strengthened, e.g., by an integrated energy and materials perspective. Beyond considering the physical dimensions of energy systems, existing links from the currently technology-oriented discourse to the social sciences might be strengthened. For establishing sustainable energy systems, future research will not only have to target the technical energy infrastructure but put a stronger focus on issues perceivable from a holistic second-order perspective.

Ismail Elkhrachy, Vandana Singh, Ankit Kumar et al.

Frontiers in Chemistry • 2023

To date, research on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has. focused on the production of cost-effective, high-performance electrodes and catalysts. The present study focuses on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Pseudomonas sp. and evaluates their role as an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst in an MFC. Biogenic AgNPs were synthesized from Pseudomonas aeruginosa via facile hydrothermal synthesis. The physiochemical characterization of the biogenic AgNPs was conducted via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible spectrum analysis. SEM micrographs showed a spherical cluster of AgNPs of 20-100 nm in size. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) ability of the biogenic AgNPs was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The oxygen reduction peaks were observed at 0.43 V, 0.42 V, 0.410 V, and 0.39 V. Different concentrations of biogenic AgNPs (0.25-1.0 mg/cm 2 ) were used as ORR catalysts at the cathode in the MFC. A steady increase in the power production was observed with increasing concentrations of biogenic AgNPs. Biogenic AgNPs loaded with 1.0 mg/cm 2 exhibited the highest power density (PD max ) of 4.70 W/m 3 , which was approximately 26.30% higher than the PD max of the sample loaded with 0.25 mg/cm 2 . The highest COD removal and Coulombic efficiency (CE) were also observed in biogenic AgNPs loaded with 1.0 mg/cm 2 (83.8% and 11.7%, respectively). However, the opposite trend was observed in the internal resistance of the MFC. The lowest internal resistance was observed in a 1.0 mg/cm 2 loading (87 Ω), which is attributed to the high oxygen reduction kinetics at the surface of the cathode by the biogenic AgNPs. The results of this study conclude that biogenic AgNPs are a cost-effective, high-performance ORR catalyst in MFCs.

Maryam N. Aljabory, Naseer A. Alhaboubi

Journal of Biotechnology Research Center • 2025

Background: Rising carbon dioxide concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere drive greenhouse gas accumulation and climate change. Addressing this critical concern mandates inventive solutions, among which the Microbial Carbon Capture Cell (MCC) system stands out. Central to MCC technology is microalgae, encompassing diverse species with exceptional carbon dioxide absorption capabilities. Microalgae convert carbon dioxide into biomass through photosynthesis, effectively sequestering it and mitigating environmental impact. Beyond carbon sequestration, MCC technology extends to wastewater treatment and flue gas purification, providing a dual advantage by combating pollutants while capturing carbon dioxide. This holistic approach contributes to cleaner air and water, promoting sustainable development. MCC technology harbors transformative potential in energy. Microalgae-derived biomass can yield biofuels, a renewable energy source, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This shift from fossil fuels to biofuels is pivotal for reducing our carbon footprint and advancing sustainability. Objective: This study has multiple objectives, including emphasizing the role of microalgae in efficiently sequestering carbon dioxide, the parameters that affect microalgae growth and performance, and improving their carbon sequestration capabilities. Discussion: The study also highlights the power generation of MCC technology and its contribution to clean energy production and grid sustainability. The study also addresses the production of biodiesel from microalgae as a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel source, reducing carbon emissions, reducing dependence on depleting fossil fuels, and enhancing energy security. Conclusion: Microbial carbon capture cell technology holds promise in combating climate change by efficiently capturing carbon, reducing pollution, and transitioning to cleaner, sustainable energy sources.

Barbara Muñoz-Palazón, Miguel Hurtado‐Martínez, Aurora Rosa-Masegosa et al.

Journal of environmental chemical engineering • 2023

Aerobic Granular Biomass (AGB) technology is widely used for urban and industrial wastewater treatment, however, its application in groundwater remediation, is practically unknown. A mixture of carbendazim, simazine, and diuron were amended to the nitrate-polluted synthetic groundwater at increasing concentrations to validate the ability of technology to remove both kind of pollutants, pesticides and nitrate which are commonly found in the water resources. The nitrate removal was a success with values below 0.010 g·L-1. The increased concentration of pesticides in the influent did not distort the pattern observed for pesticide removal. Carbendazim was almost completely eliminated, followed by simazine elimination, while diuron showed adsorption-desorption patterns during experimentation. The addition of pesticides had a drastic effect on the basal community conducted by proliferation of Hyphomicrobium and Dokdonella. The pesticide compounds had a negative effect on number of copies for fungal population, while archaeal population was unharmed, according to qPCR results. Denitrifying bacteria need 70 days as acclimatization period for achieving activity values as initial inoculum. The results obtained have shown for the first time the capacity of AGB system to treat groundwater polluted with nitrate and pesticide using low carbon load. Therefore, the results suggested the potential application of AGB technology for the purification of groundwater polluted with both nitrates and pesticides.

Lesedi Lebogang, Jongjit Jantra, Martin Hedström et al.

Sensors • 2017

An amperometric immunoanalysis system based on monoclonal antibodies immobilized on Sepharose beads and packed into a micro-immunocolumn was developed for the quantification of microcystin-LR. Microcystin-LR (MCLR) was used as a reference microcystin variant. Inside the immunocolumn, free microcystins and microcystin-horseradish peroxidase (tracer) were sequentially captured by the immobilized antibodies, and the detection was performed electrochemically using Super AquaBlue ELISA substrate 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). The ABTS ●+ generated by enzymatic oxidation of ABTS was electrochemically determined at a carbon working electrode by applying a reduction potential set at 0.4 V versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The peak current intensity was inversely proportional to the amount of analyte bound to the immunocolumn. The amperometric flow-ELISA system, which was automatically controlled through the CapSenze TM (Lund, Sweden) computer software, enabled determination of MCLR as low as 0.01 µg/L. The assay time was very short (20 min for one assay cycle). In addition, the electrochemical signals were not significantly affected by possible interferences which could be present in the real samples. Along with the simplicity of automation, this makes the developed method a promising tool for use in water quality assessment.

Raghad Adam, Bertug Ozarisoy

Encyclopedia • 2023

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a serious hazard to human life and the ecosystem. This is the reason that many measures have been put in place by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to reduce the anthropogenic-derived CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Today, the potential of renewable energy sources has led to an increased interest in investment in carbon capture and storage technologies worldwide. The aim of this paper is to investigate state-of-the-art carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and their derivations for the identification of effective methods during the implementation of evidence-based energy policies. To this extent, this study reviews the current methods in three concepts: post-combustion; pre-combustion; and oxy-fuel combustion processes. The objective of this study is to explore the knowledge gap in recent carbon capture methods and provide a comparison between the most influential methods with high potential to aid in carbon capture. The study presents the importance of using all available technologies during the post-combustion process. To accomplish this, an ontological approach was adopted to analyze the feasibility of the CCS technologies available on the market. The study findings demonstrate that priority should be given to the applicability of certain methods for both industrial and domestic applications. On the contrary, the study also suggests that using the post-combustion method has the greatest potential, whereas other studies recommend the efficiency of the oxy-fuel process. Furthermore, the study findings also highlight the importance of using life cycle assessment (LCA) methods for the implementation of carbon capture technologies in buildings. This study contributes to the energy policy design related to carbon capture technologies in buildings.

Anna Kogler, Neha Sharma, Diana Tiburcio et al.

ACS Environmental Au • 2024

Nitrogen in wastewater has negative environmental, human health, and economic impacts but can be recovered to reduce the costs and environmental impacts of wastewater treatment and chemical production. To recover ammonia/ammonium (total ammonia nitrogen, TAN) from urine, we operated electrochemical stripping (ECS) for over a month, achieving 83.4 ± 1.5% TAN removal and 73.0 ± 2.9% TAN recovery. With two reactors, we recovered sixteen 500-mL batches (8 L total) of ammonium sulfate (20.9 g/L TAN) approaching commercial fertilizer concentrations (28.4 g/L TAN) and often having >95% purity. While evaluating the operation and maintenance needs, we identified pH, full-cell voltage, product volume, and water flux into the product as informative process monitoring parameters that can be inexpensively and rapidly measured. Characterization of fouled cation exchange and omniphobic membranes informs cleaning and reactor modifications to reduce fouling with organics and calcium/magnesium salts. To evaluate the impact of urine collection and storage on ECS, we conducted experiments with urine at different levels of dilution with flush water, extents of divalent cation precipitation, and degrees of hydrolysis. ECS effectively treated urine under all conditions, but minimizing flush water and ensuring storage until complete hydrolysis would enable energy-efficient TAN recovery. Our experimental results and cost analysis motivate a multifaceted approach to improving ECS's technical and economic viability by extending component lifetimes, decreasing component costs, and reducing energy consumption through material, reactor, and process engineering. In summary, we demonstrated urine treatment as a foothold for electrochemical nutrient recovery from wastewater while supporting the applicability of ECS to seven other wastewaters with widely varying characteristics. Our findings will facilitate the scale-up and deployment of electrochemical nutrient recovery technologies, enabling a circular nitrogen economy that fosters sanitation provision, efficient chemical production, and water resource protection.

Léna Beauzamy, Guillaume Longatte, Manon Guille‐Collignon et al.

Bioelectrochemistry • 2023

Tinku Casper D’ Silva, Sameer Khan, Subodh Kumar et al.

Fuel • 2023

Anju Singh, Saroj Raj Kafle, Mukesh Sharma et al.

Catalysts • 2023

In recent decades, several studies have been conducted on sustainability progress with high efficiency of renewable energies by utilizing advanced nano-module catalysts. Some collaborative studies advocate the unique characteristics of unconventional materials, including carbon nanotubes, nanosheets, nanoparticles, conducting polymers, integrated nano polymers, nano enzymes, and zero-dimensional nanomaterials/carbon dots (CDs) at the atomic and molecular level to generate efficient energy from various biomass substrates. Nanotechnology-based catalysts are considered a crucial tool for revolutionizing various energy-related applications. This review article addresses the sustainable and scarce biomass resources to synthesize CDs, properties, mechanisms, and insights with the advancement of research on CDs as nanocatalysts in the field of energy applications. These materials possess exceptional and rapidly expanding features such as being non-toxic, biocompatible, having excellent electrocatalytic activity and photoluminescence, and being highly dispersible in water. Because of these advantages, they are appealing for use in energy conversion and as storage material. Moreover, the emphasis is placed on the function of CDs as nanocatalysts for energy storage devices, and relevant instances are provided to clarify the concepts. These advanced strategies of nanotechnology for energy storage and conversion are expected to play a vital role in promoting sustainability.

Qianhao Zeng, Wenhui An, Dayuan Peng et al.

Catalysts • 2025

Photocatalytic-coupled microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) represent an emerging wastewater treatment technology which aims to address the limitations of traditional methods, such as the inadequate removal of refractory pollutants and excessive energy consumption. This technology realizes the simultaneous degradation of refractory pollutants in wastewater and bioenergy recovery, demonstrating significant potential for development. However, the practical application of this technology is currently hindered by challenges including insufficient electrical power output, poor stability of photoelectric electrodes, and the design of amplified application systems. This review comprehensively examines the common coupling methods and principles of photocatalytic-coupled microbial electrochemical systems. Compared to previous studies, it provides a detailed analysis of the optimal configurations for treating wastewater containing various components, such as recalcitrant organic compounds, heavy metals, and nitrates, to achieve maximum efficiency. Moreover, it summarizes the synergistic effects observed between photocatalysis and MES that enhance the degradation efficiency of pollutants through various pathways, including increasing the potential difference of cytochromes, promoting the formation of conductive nanowires, accelerating the electron transfer rates, and inhibiting electron–hole recombination. Finally, this review highlights the challenges in practical applications and proposes future research directions to facilitate the further development of this technology.

Geoffrey P. Hammond

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy • 2021

Since 2010, successive UK governments have produced various strategies for industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (‘decarbonise’). This paper scrutinises the most recent version that was published in March 2021: the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy (IDS). It contrasts the policy content of the IDS with previous industrial roadmaps, action plans and strategies (including the Clean Growth Strategy of 2017). In addition, it compares the proposals in the IDS with the latest recommendations of the UK government's independent Climate Change Committee, as well as drawing on lessons learned from the techno-economic assessments published by the author and his collaborators for a number of key ‘foundation industries’. The latter emit significant shares of UK industrial carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions: the iron and steel (∼25%), chemicals (∼19%), cement (∼8%), pulp and paper (∼6%) and glass (∼3%) sectors. They also produce about 28 Mt of materials per year, which are worth £52 billion to the UK economy, and account for ∼10% of UK total carbon dioxide emissions.

Michael Max Bühler, Pia Hollenbach, Lothar Köhler et al.

Frontiers in Built Environment • 2024

This paper introduces a transformative “living” hypothesis in architecture and engineering, proposing a paradigm shift from conventional design to regenerative, ecologically interconnected resilient systems. At the heart of our hypothesis is the integration of earth-bound materials and bioreceptive surfaces through metabolic exchanges that can be directly monitored via bioelectricity using advanced computational models and cooperative governance structures. This innovative approach that links the living world with natural materials and digital computing, aims to foster sustainable urban development that dynamically and meaningfully responds to ecological shifts, thereby enhancing social sustainability and environmental resilience. Founded on an active relationship with Earth Based Materials (EBMs) our work operationalises the foundational link between organic life and inorganic matter, e.g., minerals, to establish a dynamic relationship between building materials, and ecological systems drawing on the foundational metabolisms of microbes. To enable this ambitious synthesis, our work builds upon and diverges from traditional foundations by operationalizing actor-network theory, new materialism, and regenerative design principles through the application of bioelectrical microbes to “living” materials and digital twins. We propose a novel resilience framework that not only advocates for a symbiotic relationship between human habitats and natural ecosystems but also outlines practical pathways for the creation of adaptive, self-organizing built environments that are informed by data collection and metabolic feedback loops. These environments are fundamentally regenerative, dynamic, and environmentally responsive in ways that can be understood and engaged by human engineers and designers, transcending current sustainability and resilience targets through a methodology rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration. We address challenges such as regulatory barriers, lack of standardization, and perceptions of inferiority compared to conventional materials, proposing a new standardization framework adaptable to the unique properties of these materials. Our vision is supported by advanced predictive digital modelling techniques and sensors, including the integration of biofilms that generate action potentials, enabling the development of Digital Twins that respond to metabolic signals to enhance sustainability, biodiversity, and ultimately generate environmentally positive socio-economic outcomes. This paper reviews existing methodologies to establish an overview of state-of-the-art developments and offers a clear, actionable plan and recommendations for the realization of regenerative and resilient systems in urban development. It contributes a unique perspective on sustainable urban development, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach, which integrates the foundational metabolism of microbes, assisted by big biological data and artificial intelligences that act in concert to respect both the environment and the intricate dynamics of living systems.

Andreas Møllebjerg, Agata Zarebska, Henrik Bangsø Nielsen et al.

Desalination • 2023

Biofouling is a ubiquitous problem in many industrial systems including reverse osmosis (RO) desalination units where the biofilm impedes the water flow. It is essential to develop novel cleaning methods that are non-damaging and environmentally friendly. The most promising cleaning agents are enzymes, which can selectively cleave the components that stabilize the biofilm. However, biofilm-degrading enzymes are often difficult to identify due to the unknown matrix composition and lack of effective screening methods. To overcome this, a flexible screening platform was developed to evaluate enzyme treatment on fouling removal directly on RO membranes. The developed platform was used to identify enzymes that could degrade biofilms on fouled RO membranes. The membrane biofilms were destabilized by a range of enzyme groups, most effectively by proteases, lipases, DNase, cellulolytic enzymes, and pectin-degrading enzymes. The most effective enzyme formulations could clean the membranes more effectively than conventional chemical cleaning agents, removing 45 % of the biofilm compared with 0 %–19 % for the chemicals (p ≤ 0.001), indicating that enzymes have the potential to replace or complement chemical cleaning. The screening platform thus proved a potent tool for systematically studying biofilms and could be applied to combat biofilms in many other applications.

Hemanth Kumar Tanneru, Kiran Kuruvinashetti, Pragasen Pillay et al.

Energies • 2019

In this work, we provide a cost comparison of micro-photosynthetic power cells (µPSC) with the well-established photovoltaic (PV) cells for ultra-low power and low power applications. We also suggest avenues for the performance improvement of µPSC. To perform cost comparison, we considered two case studies, which are development of energy systems for: (i) A typical mobile-phone battery charging (low power application) and (ii) powering a humidity sensor (ultra-low power application). For both the cases, we have elucidated the steps in designing energy systems based on PV and µPSC technologies. Based on the design, we have considered the components needed and their costs to obtain total cost for developing energy systems using both PV and µPSC technologies. Currently, µPSCs based energy systems are costlier compared to their PV counterparts. We have provided the avenues for improving µPSC performance, niche application areas, and aspects in which µPSCs are comparable to PV cells. With a huge potential to develop low-cost and high performing technologies, this emerging technology can share the demand on PV technologies for ultra-low power applications.

Rickelmi Agüero-Quiñones, Zairi Ávila-Sánchez, Segundo Rojas-Flores et al.

Sustainability • 2023

The increasing generation of wastewater with high levels of pollutants has become a serious environmental challenge. In this context, sustainable technologies are required to treat wastewater efficiently. Therefore, it was proposed to evaluate the effect of the biomass of Chlorella sp. on the removal of cadmium and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from municipal wastewater in the district of Urpay, Pataz, La Libertad, Peru, and the generation of electric power through single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFC). An experimental design was applied, where nine treatments were carried out evaluating three doses of Chlorella sp. (10%, 20% and 30%) at pH values of 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5 of the residual water. Managing to generate peak current and voltage values of 4.61 mA and 1118.5 mV in the MFC at a pH of 7.5 with a dose of 30% of Chlorella sp., this same MFC managed to decrease concentrations of cadmium and COD by 97.5 and 15% in 25 and 15 days, respectively. This investigation demonstrated the importance of Chlorella sp. for the reduction in these two parameters, managing to provide a new method for the elimination of these pollutants in wastewater.

Gulzar Ahmad, Shahid Imran, Muhammad Farooq et al.

Sustainability • 2023

Biodiesel is a promising sector worldwide and is experiencing significant and rapid growth. Several studies have been undertaken to utilize homogeneous base catalysts in the form of KOH to develop biodiesel in order to establish a commercially viable and sustainable biodiesel industry. This research centers around extracting potassium hydroxide (KOH) from banana trunks and employing it in the transesterification reaction to generate biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO). Various operational factors were analyzed for their relative impact on biodiesel output, and after optimizing the reaction parameters, a conversion rate of 95.33% was achieved while maintaining a reaction period of 2.5 h, a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 15:1, and a catalyst quantity of 5 wt%. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) models were implemented to improve and optimize these reaction parameters for the purpose of obtaining the maximum biodiesel output. Consequently, remarkably higher yields of 95.33% and 95.53% were achieved by RSM and ANN, respectively, with a quite little margin of error of 0.0003%. This study showcases immense promise for the large-scale commercial production of biodiesel.

Rosa Devesa‐Rey, Elena Arce, Alberto Cartelle et al.

Water • 2023

This study aimed to estimate the bioelectricity production process using a vinasse solution through the application of Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs. An electrochemical cell was constructed using Arduino to measure the potential difference between an anode and cathode immersed in a vinasse solution, which is a byproduct of wine production containing organic compounds and ions that undergo redox reactions. The Plackett–Burman design identified the most influential variables among eight previously selected (concentration of the electrolyte, pH, temperature, stirring, addition of NaCl, yeast dose and electrode:solution ratio). The results showed that the most influencing variables were the vinasse concentration and stirring and a peak of 306 mV could be observed for a 100 mL experiment. The third most influential variable regarding the process was NaCl addition, which showed its high influence at larger times. Based on these results, the Box–Behnken design was used to determine the possible ranges of variation of the independent variables (vinasse concentration, stirring and NaCl dose) to maximize the bioelectricity production. Therefore, with the combination of the intermediate concentrated vinasse (1:3 v/v ratio) and stirring, a peak of 431.1 mV could be observed when adding 2% NaCl after 15 min of the experiment. In what concerns the instant bioelectricity, measured after 1 min of the experiment, values up to 437.9 mV could be observed although yeast and/or NaCl are necessary at short times. This study provides insights into the bioelectricity production process from vinasse, contributing to the understanding and potential for sustainable energy generation.