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Najafi M, Forestier E, Safarpour M, Ceseracciu L, Zych A, Bagheri A, Bertolacci L, Athanassiou A, Bayer I. Biodegradable polylactic acid emulsion ink based on carbon nanotubes and silver for printed pressure sensors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10988. [PMID: 38744852 PMCID: PMC11094035 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60315-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Investigating biodegradable and biocompatible materials for electronic applications can lead to tangible outcomes such as developing green-electronic devices and reducing the amount of e-waste. The proposed emulsion-based conducting ink formulation takes into consideration circular economy and green principles throughout the entire process, from the selection of materials to the production process. The ink is formulated using the biopolymer polylactic acid dissolved in a sustainable solvent mixed with water, along with conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silver flakes as fillers. Hybrid conductive fillers can lower the percolation threshold of the ink and the production costs, while maintaining excellent electrical properties. The coating formed after the deposition of the ink, undergoes isothermal treatment at different temperatures and durations to improve its adhesion and electrical properties. The coating's performance was evaluated by creating an eight-finger interdigitated sensor using a Voltera PCB printer. The sensor demonstrates exceptional performance when exposed to various loading and unloading pressures within the 0.2-500.0 kPa range. The results show a consistent correlation between the change in electrical resistance and the stress caused by the applied load. The ink is biodegradable in marine environments, which helps avoiding its accumulation in the ecosystem over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maedeh Najafi
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Emilie Forestier
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
- iCub Tech, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via S. Quirico 9d, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Milad Safarpour
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Ceseracciu
- Materials Characterization, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Arkadiusz Zych
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ahmad Bagheri
- Graphene Labs, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Bertolacci
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Ilker Bayer
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy.
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Liu X, Ye Y, Yang N, Cheng C, Rensing C, Jin C, Nealson KH, Zhou S. Nonelectroactive clostridium obtains extracellular electron transfer-capability after forming chimera with Geobacter. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycae058. [PMID: 38770058 PMCID: PMC11104457 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular electron transfer (EET) of microorganisms is a major driver of the microbial growth and metabolism, including reactions involved in the cycling of C, N, and Fe in anaerobic environments such as soils and sediments. Understanding the mechanisms of EET, as well as knowing which organisms are EET-capable (or can become so) is fundamental to electromicrobiology and geomicrobiology. In general, Gram-positive bacteria very seldomly perform EET due to their thick non-conductive cell wall. Here, we report that a Gram-positive Clostridium intestinale (C.i) attained EET-capability for ethanol metabolism only after forming chimera with electroactive Geobacter sulfurreducens (G.s). Mechanism analyses demonstrated that the EET was possible after the cell fusion of the two species was achieved. Under these conditions, the ethanol metabolism pathway of C.i was integrated by the EET pathway of G.s, by which achieved the oxidation of ethanol for the subsequent reduction of extracellular electron acceptors in the coculture. Our study displays a new approach to perform EET for Gram-positive bacteria via recruiting the EET pathway of an electroactive bacterium, which suggests a previously unanticipated prevalence of EET in the microbial world. These findings also provide new perspectives to understand the energetic coupling between bacterial species and the ecology of interspecies mutualisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Yin Ye
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Naiming Yang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Christopher Rensing
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Chao Jin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Kenneth H Nealson
- Department of Earth Science & Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 91030, United States
| | - Shungui Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
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Garbini GL, Barra Caracciolo A, Rolando L, Visca A, Borello D, Cosentini C, Gagliardi G, Ieropoulos I, Grenni P. Effects of municipal waste compost on microbial biodiversity and energy production in terrestrial microbial fuel cells. N Biotechnol 2023; 78:131-140. [PMID: 37875210 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) transform organic matter into electricity through microbial electrochemical reactions catalysed on anodic and cathodic half-cells. Terrestrial MFCs (TMFCs) are a bioelectrochemical system for bioelectricity production as well as soil remediation. In TMFCs, the soil is the ion-exchange electrolyte, whereas a biofilm on the anode oxidises organic matter through electroactive bacteria. Little is known of the overall microbial community composition in a TMFC, which impedes complete exploitation of the potential to generate energy in different soil types. In this context, an experiment was performed to reveal the prokaryotic community structure in single chamber TMFCs with soil in the presence and absence of a municipal waste compost (3% w/v). The microbial community was assessed on the anode and cathode and in bulk soil at the end of the experiment (54 days). Moreover, TMFC electrical performance (voltage and power) was also evaluated over the experimental period, varying the external resistance to improve performance. Compost stimulated soil microbial activity, in line with a general increase in voltage and power. Significant differences were observed in the microbial communities between initial soil conditions and TMFCs, and between the anode, cathode and bulk soil in the presence of the compost. Several electroactive genera (Bacillus, Fulvivirga, Burkholdeira and Geobacter) were found at the anode in the presence of compost. Overall, the use of municipal waste compost significantly increased the performance of the MFCs in terms of electrical power and voltage generated, not least thanks to the selective pressure towards electroactive bacteria on the anode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Luigi Garbini
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Barra Caracciolo
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Rolando
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Visca
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Borello
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMA), Sapienza University of Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Carlotta Cosentini
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMA), Sapienza University of Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Gabriele Gagliardi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMA), Sapienza University of Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Water & Environmental Engineering Group, School of Engineering, University of Southampton, Bolderwood Campus, SO16 7QF, UK
| | - Paola Grenni
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
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Rumora A, Hopkins L, Yim K, Baykus MF, Martinez L, Jimenez L. Detection and Characterization of Electrogenic Bacteria from Soils. BIOTECH 2023; 12:65. [PMID: 38131677 PMCID: PMC10871078 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12040065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are bioelectrical devices powered by the oxidation of organic and inorganic compounds due to microbial activity. Seven soils were randomly selected from Bergen Community College or areas nearby, located in the state of New Jersey, USA, were used to screen for the presence of electrogenic bacteria. SMFCs were incubated at 35-37 °C. Electricity generation and electrogenic bacteria were determined using an application developed for cellular phones. Of the seven samples, five generated electricity and enriched electrogenic bacteria. Average electrical output for the seven SMFCs was 155 microwatts with the start-up time ranging from 1 to 11 days. The highest output and electrogenic bacterial numbers were found with SMFC-B1 with 143 microwatts and 2.99 × 109 electrogenic bacteria after 15 days. Optimal electrical output and electrogenic bacterial numbers ranged from 1 to 21 days. Microbial DNA was extracted from the top and bottom of the anode of SMFC-B1 using the ZR Soil Microbe DNA MiniPrep Protocol followed by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA V3-V4 region. Next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes generated an average of 58 k sequences. BLAST analysis of the anode bacterial community in SMFC-B1 demonstrated that the predominant bacterial phylum was Bacillota of the class Clostridia (50%). However, bacteria belonging to the phylum Pseudomonadota (15%) such as Magnetospirillum sp. and Methylocaldum gracile were also part of the predominant electrogenic bacterial community in the anode. Unidentified uncultured bacteria accounted for 35% of the predominant bacterial community. Bioelectrical devices such as MFCs provide sustainable and clean alternatives to future applications for electricity generation, waste treatment, and biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Luis Jimenez
- Biology and Horticulture Department, Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA; (A.R.); (K.Y.); (L.M.)
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Youssef YA, Abuarab ME, Mahrous A, Mahmoud M. Enhanced degradation of ibuprofen in an integrated constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell: treatment efficiency, electrochemical characterization, and microbial community dynamics. RSC Adv 2023; 13:29809-29818. [PMID: 37829716 PMCID: PMC10566547 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05729a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, there has been a growing concern regarding the fate and transport of pharmaceuticals, particularly antibiotics, as emerging contaminants in the environment. It has been proposed that the presence of antibiotics at concentrations typically found in wastewater can impact the dynamics of bacterial populations and facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance. The efficiency of currently-used wastewater treatment technologies in eliminating pharmaceuticals is often insufficient, resulting in the release of low concentrations of these compounds into the environment. In this study, we addressed these challenges by evaluating how different influent ibuprofen (IBU) concentrations influenced the efficiency of a laboratory-scale, integrated constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) system seeded with Eichhornia crassipes, in terms of organic matter removal, electricity generation, and change of bacterial community structure compared to unplanted, sediment MFC (S-MFC) and abiotic S-MFC (AS-MFC). We observed that the addition of IBU (5 mg L-1) resulted in a notable decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and electricity generation, suggesting that high influent IBU concentrations caused partial inhibition for the electroactive microbial community due to its complexity and aromaticity. However, CW-MFC could recover from IBU inhibition after an acclimation period compared to unplanted S-MFC, even though the influent IBU level was increased up to 20 mg L-1, suggesting that plants in CW-MFCs have a beneficial role in relieving the inhibition of anode respiration due to the presence of high levels of IBU; thus, promoting the metabolic activity of the electroactive microbial community. Similarly, IBU removal efficiency for CW-MFC (i.e., 49-62%) was much higher compared to SMFC (i.e., 29-42%), and AS-MFC (i.e., 20-22%) during all experimental phases. In addition, our high throughput sequencing revealed that the high performance of CW-MFCs compared to S-MFC was associated with increasing the relative abundances of several microbial groups that are closely affiliated with anode respiration and organic matter fermentation. In summary, our results show that the CW-MFC system demonstrates suitability for high removal efficiency of IBU and effective electricity generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef A Youssef
- Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University Giza 12613 Egypt
| | - Mohamed E Abuarab
- Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University Giza 12613 Egypt
| | - Ahmed Mahrous
- Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University Giza 12613 Egypt
| | - Mohamed Mahmoud
- Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre 33 El-Buhouth St., Dokki Cairo 12311 Egypt
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