Leveraging 3D printing in microbial electrochemistry research: current progress and future opportunities

Highlights

● 3D printing enables rapid prototyping and optimisation of MES reactors.

● 3D-printed electrodes improve electron transfer and biocompatibility.

● Tailored ink materials boost conductivity for sustainable energy.

● Bioprinting refines biofilm stability and microbial-electrode interactions.

Abstract

Microbial electrochemical system (MES) offers sustainable solutions for environmental applications such as wastewater treatment, energy generation, and chemical synthesis by leveraging microbial metabolism and electrochemical processes. This review explores the transformative role of 3D printing in MES research, focusing on reactor body design, electrode fabrication, and bioprinting applications. Rapid prototyping facilitated by 3D printing expedites MES development while unlocking design flexibility, which enhances performance in optimising fluid dynamics and mass transfer efficiency. Tailored ink materials further improve the conductivity and biocompatibility of electrodes, paving the way for environmental applications. 3D-printed bio-anodes and bio-cathodes offer enhanced electrogenesis and boosted electron acceptance processes, respectively, by fine-tuning electrode architectures. Additionally, 3D bioprinting presents opportunities for scaffold fabrication and bioink formulation, enhancing biofilm stability and electron transfer efficiency. Despite current challenges, including material selection and cost, the integration of 3D printing in MES holds immense promise for advancing energy generation, wastewater treatment, resource recovery, carbon utilisation, and biosensing technologies.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

3D printing / Bioprinting / Microbial electrochemical system / Reactor body design / Novel electrode fabrication

Dr. Yifeng Zhang is currently working as a full professor at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Having obtained his PhD from DTU in 2012, he has dedicated over 12 years to researching advanced electrochemistry in environmental and resource engineering. His research has consistently driven innovation in various domains, including wastewater treatment, resource recovery, advanced electrocatalysis and catalysis materials, environmental sensors, and sustainable carbon capture and utilization. These contributions have been recognized through over 200 scientific publications, 3 patents, and several media communications, underscoring their impact and potential for future development. Notably, he has successfully secured about 60 million DKK in international and national research funding, including prestigious grants such as the Carlsberg Foundation Distinguished Fellowship. His accomplishments have been recognized through several awards, notably the James J. Morgan Environmental Science & Technology Early Career Award (Honorable Mentions) by the American Chemical Society and Winer of Food & Bio Cluster Denmark’s Idea Competition 2024. Additionally, he has been acknowledged as one of the World’s Top 2% Scientists

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (No. 21-08-DTU, Denmark), VILLUM FONDEN (No. 40828, Denmark), Independent Research Fund Denmark (Project 1, No. 171114, Denmark), and Horizon Europe project BIOMETHAVERSE (No. 101084200) for partly funding the research.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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