[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Science China Materials • 2015

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Electrochimica Acta • 2018

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Green Energy & Environment • 2020

Soil pollution endangers human health and ecological balance, which is why finding a highly efficient way to deal with pollutants is necessary. Biological method is an environmentally friendly treatment method. Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), which combine electrochemistry with biological methods, have been widely used to remediate polluted environments, including wastewater, sludge, sediment, and soil. In BESs, redox reactions occur on electrodes with electroactive bacteria, which convert pollutants into low-polluting or nonpolluting substances. With BESs being a promising technology in the remediation field, the decontamination mechanisms and applications in soil conducted by BESs have attracted much attention. Therefore, to better understand the research progress of BESs, this paper mainly summarizes the mechanism of different classified BESs. The applications of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in four pollutants (petroleum, heavy metals, pesticides, antibiotics) and the possible applications of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) in soil are discussed. The main problems in BESs and possible future development directions are also evaluated.

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AMB Express • 2015

Understanding of how operational parameters affect the composition of exoelectrogenic microbes is an important step in the development of efficient microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In the present study, single-chamber MFCs were inoculated with rice paddy-field soil and continuously supplied with an acetate medium containing different concentrations of NaCl (0-1.8 M). Polarization analyses showed that power output increased as the NaCl concentration increased to 0.1 M, while it was markedly diminished over 0.3 M. The increase in power output was associated with an increased abundance of anode microbes as assessed by protein assays. Notably, the power increase was also accompanied by an increase in the abundance ratio of Geobacter bacteria to total anode bacteria as assessed by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and specific quantitative PCR. Although most Geobacter species are known to exhibit high growth rates in freshwater media without NaCl, the present study shows that 0.1 M NaCl facilitates the growth of Geobacter in MFC anode biofilms. This result suggests that the optimum salt concentration in MFC is determined by the balance of two factors, namely, the solution conductivity and salt tolerance of exoelectrogens.

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Applied Water Science • 2016

Macadamia nutshell biosorbents treated in three different activating agents [raw Macadamia nutshell powder (RMN), acid-treated Macadamia nutshell (ATMN) and base-treated Macadamia nutshell (BTMN)] were investigated for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] from aqueous solutions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of free and Cr(VI)-loaded sorbents as well as thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the acid and base treatments modified the surface properties of the sorbent. Surface characteristics were also evaluated by the scanning electron microscopy and surface area analyzer. The optimum conditions for the adsorption of Cr(VI) by sorbents were pH 2, contact time 10 h, adsorbent mass 0.2 g and concentration 100 mg L−1. The equilibrium data were fitted into the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson and Sips isotherms, and no single model could clearly explain the sorption mechanism. Maximum binding capacities of 45.23, 44.83 and 42.44 mg g−1 for RMN, ATMN and BTMN, respectively, were obtained. The kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-first, pseudo-second and Elovich kinetic models, and it was observed that the pseudo-second-order model produced the best fit for the experimental data. Macadamia nutshell sorbents showed potential as low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers • 2020

Objective:Seawater has a potential for managing the intensive potable drinking water demand. The recentconventional desalinating technologies are environmentally unsustainable and energy intensive. Thus, in the quest to find an alternative to the traditional desalination technologies, microbial desalination cells (MDC) have come into limelight. MDCs are considered the promising technologies for treating wastewater while simultaneously producing electricity, which can be utilized for desalinating seawater along with production of some value added products. However, some technical limitations associated with the practical usage of MDCs are pH maintenance at the cathodic side, internal resistance along with membrane fouling and its durability.Methods:These challenges can be dealt by utilizing various integrated configurations.Results and Discussion:Based on the study, the conventional technologies require less operational and maintenance cost but also less environmentally sustainable in comparison to these integrated MDC configurations.Conclusion:This review summarizes the basic working principles of MDCs, its types and factors affecting its performance and also several other applications associated with MDCs. This review also highlights various integrated MDC configurations which can be utilized for reducing the limitations associated to the conventional MDC system.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Frontiers in Sustainability • 2022

Techno-economic analysis (TEA) has been considered an important tool to evaluate the economic performance of industrial processes. Recently, the application of TEA has been observed to have exponential growth due to the increasing competition among businesses across various industries. Thus, this review presents a deliberate overview of TEA to inculcate the importance and relevance of TEA. To further support the aforementioned points, this review article starts with a bibliometric analysis to evaluate the applicability of TEA within the research community. Conventional TEA is widely known to be conducted via software modeling (i.e., Python, AMIS, MATLAB, Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus, HOMER Pro, FORTRAN, R, SysML and Microsoft Excel) without involving any correlation or optimization between the process and economic performance. Apart from that, due to the arrival of the industrial revolution (IR) 4.0, industrial processes are being revolutionized into smart industries. Thus, to retain the integrity of TEA, a similar evolution to smart industries is deemed necessary. Studies have begun to incorporate data-driven technologies (i.e., artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain) into TEA to effectively optimize both processes and economic parameters simultaneously. With this, this review explores the integration of data-driven technologies in the TEA framework. From literature reviews, it was found that genetic algorithm (GA) is the most applied data-driven technology in TEA, while the applications of blockchain, machine learning (ML), and artificial neural network (ANN) in TEA are still considerably scarce. Not to mention other advanced technologies, such as cyber-physical systems (CPS), IoT, cloud computing, big data analytics, digital twin (DT), and metaverse are yet to be incorporated into the existing TEA. The inclusion of set-up costs for the aforementioned technologies is also crucial for accurate TEA representation of smart industries deployment. Overall, this review serves as a reference note for future process engineers and industry stakeholders who wish to perform relevant TEA, which is capable to cover the new state-of-art elements under the new modern era.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Scientific Reports • 2015

The macromolecular pigment-protein complex has the merit of high efficiency for light-energy capture and transfer after long-term photosynthetic evolution. Here bio-dyes of A. platensis photosystem I (PSI) and spinach light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) are spontaneously sensitized on three types of designed TiO2 films, to assess the effects of pigment-protein complex on the performance of bio-dye sensitized solar cells (SSC). Adsorption models of bio-dyes are proposed based on the 3D structures of PSI and LHCII, and the size of particles and inner pores in the TiO2 film. PSI shows its merit of high efficiency for captured energy transfer, charge separation and transfer in the electron transfer chain (ETC), and electron injection from FB to the TiO2 conducting band. After optimization, the best short current (JSC) and photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of PSI-SSC and LHCII-SSC are 1.31 mA cm(-2) and 0.47%, and 1.51 mA cm(-2) and 0.52%, respectively. The potential for further improvement of this PSI based SSC is significant and could lead to better utilization of solar energy.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Energy • 2019

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Bioresource Technology • 2016

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International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation • 2015

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Journal of Cleaner Production • 2020

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Separations • 2023

The utilization of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) has revolutionized the field of electrochemical applications, particularly in water electrolysis and fuel cells. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of recent studies conducted on various commercial AEMs, including FAA3-50, Sustainion, Aemion™, XION Composite, and PiperION™ membranes, with a focus on their performance and durability in AEM water electrolysis (AEMWE) and AEM fuel cells (AEMFCs). The discussed studies highlight the exceptional potential of these membranes in achieving high current densities, stable operation, and extended durability. Furthermore, the integration of innovative catalysts, such as nitrogen-doped graphene and Raney nickel, has demonstrated significant improvements in performance. Additionally, the exploration of PGM-free catalysts, such as Ag/C, for AEMFC cathodes has unveiled promising prospects for cost-effective and sustainable fuel cell systems. Future research directions are identified, encompassing the optimization of membrane properties, investigation of alternative catalyst materials, and assessment of performance under diverse operating conditions. The findings underscore the versatility and suitability of these commercial AEMs in water electrolysis and fuel cell applications, paving the way for the advancement of efficient and environmentally benign energy technologies. This review paper serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals seeking to enhance the performance and durability of AEMs in various electrochemical applications.

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Scientific Reports • 2022

The complexity of engineering optimization problems is increasing. Classical gradient-based optimization algorithms are a mathematical means of solving complex problems whose ability to do so is limited. Metaheuristics have become more popular than exact methods for solving optimization problems because of their simplicity and the robustness of the results that they yield. Recently, population-based bio-inspired algorithms have been demonstrated to perform favorably in solving a wide range of optimization problems. The jellyfish search optimizer (JSO) is one such bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm, which is based on the food-finding behavior of jellyfish in the ocean. According to the literature, JSO outperforms many well-known meta-heuristics in a wide range of benchmark functions and real-world applications. JSO can also be used in conjunction with other artificial intelligence-related techniques. The success of JSO in solving diverse optimization problems motivates the present comprehensive discussion of the latest findings related to JSO. This paper reviews various issues associated with JSO, such as its inspiration, variants, and applications, and will provide the latest developments and research findings concerning JSO. The systematic review contributes to the development of modified versions and the hybridization of JSO to improve upon the original JSO and present variants, and will help researchers to develop superior metaheuristic optimization algorithms with recommendations of add-on intelligent agents.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Journal of Hazardous Materials • 2015

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Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology • 2019

The extreme cold environments harbor novel psychrotrophic microbes. The psychrotrophic microbes have been reported as plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents for sustainable agriculture, in industry as cold-adapted hydrolytic enzymes and in medicine as secondary metabolites and pharmaceutical important bioactive compounds. Inoculation with psychrotrophic/psychrotolerant strains significantly enhanced root/shoot biomass and nutrients uptake as compared to non-bacterized control. The psychrotrophic microbes play important role in alleviation of cold stress in plant growing at high hill and low temperature and conditions. The psychrotrophic microbes have been reported from worldwide from cold habitats and belong to all three domain archaea, bacteria, and eukarya including different phylum such as Actinobacteria, Ascomycota, Bacteroidetes, Basidiomycota, Chloroflexi, Chlamydiae, Planctomycetes, Cyanobacteria, Euryarchaeota, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Verrucomicrobia, Mucoromycota, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, Thaumarchaeota and Nitrospirae. The most dominant genera belong to Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Paenibacillus, Providencia, Pseudomonas, and Serratia

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Journal of environmental chemical engineering • 2023

This paper reviews the electrochemical reduction of CO2 and the design of CO2 electrolyzer cells using advanced materials and novel configurations to improve efficiency and reduce costs. It examines various system types based on geometry and components, analyzing key performance parameters to offer valuable insights into effective and selective CO2 conversion. Techno-economic analysis is employed to assess the commercial viability of electrochemical CO2 reduction (eCO2R) products. Additionally, the paper discusses the design of eCO2R reactors, addressing challenges, benefits, and developments associated with reactant supply in liquid and gas phases. It also explores knowledge gaps and areas for improvement to facilitate the development of more efficient eCO2R systems. To compete with gas-fed electrolyzers, the paper presents various approaches to enhance the performance of liquid-fed electrolyzers, leveraging their operation simplicity, scalability, low costs, high selectivity, and reasonable energy requirements. Furthermore, recent reports summarizing the performance parameters of reliable and effective electrocatalysts under ideal operating conditions, in conjunction with different electrolyzer configurations, are highlighted. This overview provides insights into the current state of the field and suggests future research directions for producing valuable chemicals with high energy efficiency (low overpotential). Ultimately, this review equips readers with fundamental knowledge and understanding necessary to improve and optimize eCO2R beyond lab-scale applications, fostering advancements in the promising field.

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The Science of The Total Environment • 2019

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Desalination • 2022

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ACS Catalysis • 2017

Recently, interest in photosynthetic energy conversion has substantially increased. Chloroplasts, the photosynthetic organelle inside higher plants and algae, are the ultimate source of carbon-based fuels. However, they have been less studied in a photobioelectrochemical cell, because their electrochemical communication at an electrode surface is challenging due to their complex membrane system. Although redox polymers are widely used for mediating bioelectrocatalysis, they have never been explored for wiring chloroplasts to electrodes. Herein, a naphthoquinone-functionalized linear poly(ethylenimine) (NQ-LPEI) redox polymer is used as an electron transfer (ET) mediator as well as the immobilization matrix for chloroplasts. They are immobilized on Toray carbon paper electrodes (TPs), and the photoexcited ET from water oxidation is evaluated, showing that intact chloroplasts can undergo direct electron transfer (DET) and mediated electron transfer (MET). Photocurrent generation by DET of chloroplasts results in an oxidative current of 1.5 ± 0.2 μA cm–2. On NQ-LPEI modified electrodes, the oxidative photocurrent increased to 4.7 ± 0.7 μA cm–2 and further improved to 29 ± 6 μA cm–2 in the presence of an additional diffusive mediator, 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone (DCBQ). The oxidative current produced in the presence of light confirms the ability to oxidize water (H2O) at a chloroplast-modified electrode surface.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Journal of Power Sources • 2016

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Journal of Hazardous Materials • 2024

Humus substances (HSs) participate in extracellular electron transfer (EET), which is unclear in heterogeneous soil. Here, a microbial electrochemical system (MES) was constructed to determine the effect of HSs, including humic acid, humin and fulvic acid, on soil electron transfer. The results showed that fulvic acid led to the optimal electron transfer efficiency in soil, as evidenced by the highest accumulated charges and removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons after 140 days, with increases of 161% and 30%, respectively, compared with those of the control. However, the performance of MES with the addition of humic acid and humin was comparable to that of the control. Fulvic acid amendment enhanced the carboxyl content and oxidative state of dissolved organic matter, endowing a better electron transfer capacity. Additionally, the presence of fulvic acid induced an increase in the abundance of electroactive bacteria and organic degraders, extracellular polymeric substances and functional enzymes such as cytochrome c and NADH synthesis, and the expression of m tr C gene, which is responsible for EET enhancement in soil. Overall, this study reveals the mechanism by which HSs stimulate soil electron transfer at the physicochemical and biological levels and provides basic support for the application of bioelectrochemical technology in soil.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Heliyon • 2023

, respectively. The average per capita water consumption is around 550 l/d. The GCC countries have high water footprints. Although tertiary treated, the reuse of treated wastewater is limited and constrained to the development of forests and green areas. Water demand trends reveal the need for the implementation of sustainable water management programs. Emerging solutions include imposing a new tariff system, improving irrigation efficiency, controlling agricultural water consumption, developing innovative desalination and treatment technologies, maximizing treated wastewater utilization and rainwater harvesting, eliminating leakage in networks, and considering virtual water concepts in the water budget and planning.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production • 2018

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Research • 2020

production, metal-air batteries, and low-temperature fuel cells. Relevant progress on tailoring the coordination structure of isolated metal centers by doping other metals or ligands, enriching the concentration of single-atom sites by increasing metal loadings, and engineering the porosity and electronic structure of the support by optimizing the mass and electron transport are also reviewed. Moreover, general strategies to synthesize SAECs with high metal loadings on practical scale are highlighted, the deep learning algorithm for rational design of SAECs is introduced, and theoretical understanding of active-site structures of SAECs is discussed as well. Perspectives on future directions and remaining challenges of SAECs are presented.

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Biotechnology for Biofuels • 2019

-dihydroxyl substituents can be evidently repressed due to lack of resonance effect in the structure for intermediate radical(s) during redox reaction. Moreover, this review provides conclusive remarks to elucidate the promising feasibility to identify whether such characteristics are non-renewable antioxidants or reversible ESs from natural polyphenols via cyclic voltammetry and MFC evaluation. Evidently, considering sustainable development, such electrochemically convertible polyphenolic species in plant extracts can be reversibly expressed for bioenergy-stimulating capabilities in MFCs under electrochemically favorable conditions.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Energies • 2020

This work evaluates date palm waste as a cheap and available biomass feedstock in UAE for the production of biofuels. The thermochemical and biochemical routes including pyrolysis, gasification, and fermentation were investigated. Simulations were done to produce biofuels from biomass via Aspen Plus v.10. The simulation results showed that for a tonne of biomass feed, gasification produced 56 kg of hydrogen and fermentation yielded 233 kg of ethanol. Process energy requirements, however, proved to offset the bioethanol product value. For 1 tonne of biomass feed, the net duty for pyrolysis was 37 kJ, for gasification was 725 kJ, and for fermentation was 7481.5 kJ. Furthermore, for 1 tonne of date palm waste feed, pyrolysis generated a returned USD $768, gasification generated USD 166, but fermentation required an expenditure of USD 763, rendering it unfeasible. The fermentation economic analysis showed that reducing the system’s net duty to 6500 kJ/tonne biomass and converting 30% hemicellulose along with the cellulose content will result in a breakeven bioethanol fuel price of 1.85 USD/L. This fuel price falls within the acceptable 0.8–2.4 USD/L commercial feasibility range and is competitive with bioethanol produced in other processes. The economic analysis indicated that pyrolysis and gasification are economically more feasible than fermentation. To maximize profits, the wasted hemicellulose and lignin from fermentation are proposed to be used in thermochemical processes for further fuel production.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology • 2019

Glacial runoff is a key source of iron for primary production in the Arctic. In the fjords of the Svalbard archipelago, glacial retreat is predicted to stimulate phytoplankton blooms that were previously restricted to outer margins. Decreased sediment delivery and enhanced primary production have been hypothesized to alter sediment biogeochemistry, wherein any free reduced iron that could potentially be delivered to the shelf will instead become buried with sulfide generated through microbial sulfate reduction. We support this hypothesis with sequencing data that showed increases in the relative abundance of sulfate reducing taxa and sulfate reduction rates with increasing distance from the glaciers in Van Keulenfjorden, Svalbard. Community structure was driven by organic geochemistry, suggesting that enhanced input of organic material will stimulate sulfate reduction in interior fjord sediments as glaciers continue to recede.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Molecules • 2022

World population growth, with the consequent consumption of primary resources and production of waste, is progressively and seriously increasing the impact of anthropic activities on the environment and ecosystems. Environmental pollution deriving from anthropogenic activities is nowadays a serious problem that afflicts our planet and that cannot be neglected. In this regard, one of the most challenging tasks of the 21st century is to develop new eco-friendly, sustainable and economically-sound technologies to remediate the environment from pollutants. Nanotechnologies and new performing nanomaterials, thanks to their unique features, such as high surface area (surface/volume ratio), catalytic capacity, reactivity and easy functionalization to chemically modulate their properties, represent potential for the development of sustainable, advanced and innovative products/techniques for environmental (bio)remediation. This review discusses the most recent innovations of environmental recovery strategies of polluted areas based on different nanocomposites and nanohybrids with some examples of their use in combination with bioremediation techniques. In particular, attention is focused on eco-friendly and regenerable nano-solutions and their safe-by-design properties to support the latest research and innovation on sustainable strategies in the field of environmental (bio)remediation.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Current Robotics Reports • 2022

Purposeof Review: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a large portion of the various activities in the agriculture and food supply chain (AFSC) are extremely dependent on fossil fuels and contribute to 24% of the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Recent Findings: There are several strategies to reduce GHG emissions and mitigate the associated destructive impacts. Among them, substituting fossil fuels with alternative low-carbon energy sources has received remarkable attention. Summary: The core concept of this study is to explore the relationship between food security, sustainable development, and renewable energy. Renewable energy has shown promising potential for integration into a wide range of agricultural activities and offers an alternative sustainable solution to current practices. In modern agriculture, the need for electrification has increased, with electric tractors and agricultural robots accounting for a large share, which represents a great opportunity for the use of renewable technologies in this sector. As new technologies emerge, investors need to familiarize themselves with them. Further technical improvements, cost reductions, and government incentives can facilitate the real-world deployment of sustainable renewable technologies in agriculture and food production.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

RSC Advances • 2023

), CMC is able to be modified into conducting materials by blending it with other biopolymers, synthetic polymers, salts, acids and others. This blending has improved the profile of CMC by exploiting the ability of hydrogen bonding, swelling, adhesiveness and dispersion of charges and ions. These properties of CMC have made it possible to utilize this bio-sourced polymer in several applications as a conducting electrolyte, binder in electrodes, detector, sensor and active material in fuel cells, actuators and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG). Thus, CMC based materials are cheap, environment friendly, hydrophilic, biodegradable, non-toxic and biocompatible which render it a desirable material in energy storage devices.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2019

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Environmental Science & Technology Letters • 2019

Many Gram-negative bacteria are known to release outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) into the surrounding environment during normal growth; OMVs perform diverse biological and environmental functions (e.g., virulence factor transport, horizontal gene transfer, quorum signaling, cellular defense, and cell-to-cell communication). However, the production of OMVs has not been reported in Geobacter species, and their role in extracellular electron transfer (EET) is unknown. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, that Geobacter sulfurreducens releases OMVs containing abundant cytochromes that can promote EET from microbial cells to an anode. OMVs released by Geobacter cells not only promote exoelectrogen EET (1.73-fold higher current density in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1) but also confer electrogenic ability to non-exoelectrogens (G. sulfurreducens mutant strain ΔomcZ and Escherichia coli). These functions are mainly attributed to the abundance of c-type cytochromes bound on or entrapped in OMVs. Our findings suggest that redox-active OMVs can serve as shared mediators facilitating EET in natural ecosystems, representing an ecologically important but overlooked biological electron transfer process.

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Journal of Cleaner Production • 2021

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Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology • 2015

The effects of graphene oxide (GO) on electricity generation in soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) and plant microbial fuel cell (PMFCs) were investigated. GO at concentrations ranging from 0 to 1.9 g⋅kg(-1) was added to soil and reduced for 10 days under anaerobic incubation. All SMFCs (GO-SMFCs) utilizing the soils incubated with GO produced electricity at a greater rate and in higher quantities than the SMFCs which did not contain GO. In fed-batch operations, the overall average electricity generation in GO-SMFCs containing 1.0 g⋅kg(-1) of GO was 40 ± 19 mW⋅m(-2), which was significantly higher than the value of 6.6 ± 8.9 mW⋅m(-2) generated from GO-free SMFCs (p < 0.05). The increase in catalytic current at the oxidative potential was observed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) for GO-SMFC, with the CV curve suggesting the enhancement of electron transfer from oxidation of organic substances in the soil by the reduced form of GO. The GO-containing PMFC also displayed a greater generation of electricity compared to the PMFC with no added GO, with GO-PMFC producing 49 mW⋅m(-2) of electricity after 27 days of operation. Collectively, this study demonstrates that GO added to soil can be microbially reduced in soil, and facilitates electron transfer to the anode in both SMFCs and PMFCs.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

npj Microgravity • 2023

With the construction of the International Space Station, humans have been continuously living and working in space for 22 years. Microbial studies in space and other extreme environments on Earth have shown the ability for bacteria and fungi to adapt and change compared to "normal" conditions. Some of these changes, like biofilm formation, can impact astronaut health and spacecraft integrity in a negative way, while others, such as a propensity for plastic degradation, can promote self-sufficiency and sustainability in space. With the next era of space exploration upon us, which will see crewed missions to the Moon and Mars in the next 10 years, incorporating microbiology research into planning, decision-making, and mission design will be paramount to ensuring success of these long-duration missions. These can include astronaut microbiome studies to protect against infections, immune system dysfunction and bone deterioration, or biological in situ resource utilization (bISRU) studies that incorporate microbes to act as radiation shields, create electricity and establish robust plant habitats for fresh food and recycling of waste. In this review, information will be presented on the beneficial use of microbes in bioregenerative life support systems, their applicability to bISRU, and their capability to be genetically engineered for biotechnological space applications. In addition, we discuss the negative effect microbes and microbial communities may have on long-duration space travel and provide mitigation strategies to reduce their impact. Utilizing the benefits of microbes, while understanding their limitations, will help us explore deeper into space and develop sustainable human habitats on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

[object Object], [object Object]

Water Science & Technology • 2021

Coking wastewater poses a serious threat to the environment due to the presence of a wide spectrum of refractory substances such as phenolic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic nitrogenous compounds. These toxic substances are difficult to treat using conventional treatment methods alone. In recent years much attention has been given to the effective treatment of coking wastewater. Thus, this review seeks to provide a brief overview of recent developments that have taken place in the treatment of coking wastewater. In addition, this article addresses the complexity and the problems associated with treatment followed by a discussion on biological methods with special focus on bioaugmentation. As coking wastewater is refractory in nature, some of the studies have been related to improving the biodegradability of wastewater. The final section focuses on the integrated treatment methods that have emerged as the best solution for tackling the highly unmanageable coking wastewater. Attention has also been given to emerging microwave technology which has tremendous potential for treatment of coking wastewater.

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The Science of The Total Environment • 2020

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International Journal of Molecular Sciences • 2022

Microbial cells secrete extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to adhere to material surfaces, if they get in contact with solid materials such as metals. After phase equilibrium, microorganisms can adhere firmly to the metal surfaces causing metal dissolution and corrosion. Attachment and adhesion of microorganisms via EPS increase the possibility and the rate of metal corrosion. Many components of EPS are electrochemical and redox active, making them closely related to metal corrosion. Functional groups in EPS have specific adsorption ability, causing them to play a key role in biocorrosion. This review emphasizes EPS properties related to metal corrosion and protection and the underlying microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) mechanisms. Future perspectives regarding a comprehensive study of MIC mechanisms and green methodologies for corrosion protection are provided.

[object Object], [object Object]

iScience • 2020

Graphene materials (GMs) are being investigated for multiple microbiological applications because of their unique physicochemical characteristics including high electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, and robust mechanical strength. In the last decade, studies on the interaction of GMs with bacterial cells appear conflicting. On one side, GMs have been developed to promote the proliferation of electroactive bacteria on the surface of electrodes in bioelectrochemical systems or to accelerate interspecies electron transfer during anaerobic digestion. On the other side, GMs with antibacterial properties have been synthesized to prevent biofilm formation on membranes for water treatment, on medical equipment, and on tissue engineering scaffolds. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and factors determining the positive or negative impact of GMs on bacteria. Furthermore, we examine the bacterial growth-promoting and antibacterial applications of GMs and debate their practicability.