Engineering Electric Bacteria for Enhanced Electricity Production: Challenges and Optimization for Electric Car Applications

Abstract

Electric bacteria possess unique electrochemical capabilities, allowing them to transfer electrons to or from solid conductive materials. This ability potentiates the use of electric bacteria in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to serve as bioelectrochemical systems for generating electricity from organic matters. A more efficient way of producing such energy could be used to create small, independent power sources. While integration of electric bacteria in electric cars is still in its early stages, it offers several potentials for the future of electric cars. Possible strategies to implement the use of electric bacteria in electric cars could include engineering electrically conductive pili (e-PNs) genes as an artificial operon into nonpathogenic Escherichia coli, using strong promoters to optimize gene expression and enhance current output in MFCs. When scaled to an industrially stacked spiral electrode with 100 m² surface area, it can generate up to 6 kW of continuous power. Furthermore, inclusion of heat-tolerating genes can provide a robust use of electric bacteria; this is in addition to quorum sensing molecules to maintain resilience and stability of the biofilm. The design of a continuous growth system can provide long-term duration of bacterial functionality. These applications could also potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower the carbon footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable transportation ecosystem. While the use of electric bacteria is still evolving, it holds promise as a sustainable and eco-friendly energy source.