The growing demand for water and energy has become a critical issue for sustainable societal development with >2.5 billion people lacking access to adequate water sanitation and electricity not available to >1.3 billion people. Wastewater is increasingly seen as a valuable potential energy source; however, extraction of energy from wastewater by anaerobic digestion leads to the formation of the greenhouse gas methane. Microbial fuel cells (MFC) hold great promise since this green technology converts organic energy in wastewater into electricity, simultaneously producing energy and treating wastewater. The performance of MFCs strongly depends on the anode since this affects electron transfer, oxidation rate, and where (electroactive) bacteria attach. Currently, graphite electrodes are commonly used which have the drawbacks of weak electrocatalytic activity and limited adhesion sites for bacteria.
The objectives of this project are:
i) to create polymer-modified electrodes designed to enhance specific bacteria from wastewater;
ii) use rational design of new multi-functional polymerizable monomers for recognition of bacteria of interest;
iii) study and develop the next generation of developed MFCs, on pilot scale and in larger scale facilities. We expect an increase in performance considering the polymer-modified electrodes should improve adhesion longer term and are able to specifically attract bacteria that promote electrocatalytic activity.

In first instance, we will characterise the wastewater composition to determine which bacteria are present, and search in literature which of those will enhance MFC activity. Subsequently, we will manufacture surface-imprinted polymers, which are polymers that are imprinted with the target bacteria of interest. After removal of the template, cavities remain behind that are complementary to the size, shape, and chemical functionality of the original target. We might consider "dummy" template approaches, which involve using latex beads with similar size and functionality to the original bacteria, which does not require special health and safety considerations. First, we will focus on acrylamide and urethane-based polymers as previously reported in literature. Second, we will use rational design approaches to synthesize new monomers that are specifically designed to interact with the bacteria (based on interactions with groups present on the surface, which includes for instance sugar groups).

This is a multidisciplinary project which is a collaboration between bioengineers, microbiologists, chemical engineers, and chemists. We will create novel materials for sustainable energy systems; these materials might also have applications in healthcare since they can be used for bacterial sensing. The project addresses a number of EPSRC areas such as bioenergy, electrochemical sciences, and materials for energy applications.