Microbial electrochemistry is the study and application of interactions between microbial cells and electron conductors (i.e. electrodes). The first studies in microbial electrochemistry date back more than 100 years, but vital, worldwide and ever increasing interest has only set in by the turn of the millennium. During the last decade microbial electrochemistry has been a fascinating playground for fundamental research and is now striving to become an esteemed field of technologies. These technologies - being summarized under the umbrella of microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) - range from its archetype the microbial fuel cell (MFC), which is turning wastewater into electric energy, via microbial electrochemical sensors to microbial electrochemical production of chemicals.
Followed by an introduction into microbial electrochemistry and METs, this talk will highlight selected studies on electroactive microorganisms ranging from single molecules via cells to biofilms and conclude with application examples for waste valorization and production of chemicals by METs.