Thermophilic microbes-based fuel cells: an eco-friendly approach for sustainable energy production

Abstract Fuel cells are devices that convert chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy. Biofuel cells use whole organism or enzyme, as catalysts (in at least one of their electrodes). Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) employ whole living microbial cell or microbial components for energy generation. Generally, whole living microbial cells are used for MFCs. Microbial cells are of particular interest for generating electric energy in nontraditional approach for environment conservation as well as for use of waste resources. MFCs can be important in various applications as alternate source of energy. In majority of reports on MFCs, mesophilic microbes have been studied for power. Currently, researchers are working on development of efficient MFCs based on thermophilic microorganisms. Thermophilic microbes have high rate of biochemical reactions and high rate of electron production which may be beneficial for their applications in MFCs operational at higher temperature. In this chapter, the concept of biofuel cell and developmental aspects of thermophilic MFCs have been presented for sustainable energy production in environment-friendly approach.