Discover the possibilities: microbial bioelectrochemical systems and the revival of a 100-year-old discovery

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) can be considered as archetype microbial bioelectrochemical systems that exploit the bioelectrocatalytic activity of living microorganisms for the generation of electric current. Microbial fuel cells represent a novel technology that is still in its infancy is a typical statement in the current articles to describe the state of research on microbial fuel cells. It is a quite absurd statement for a technology that to the date has a history of 100 years. At the same time, it is quite correct since the actual, systematic MFC development has started only about a decade ago. The history of the MFC development reads like a science fiction novel-we read about space research and autonomous robots (gastrobots). But yet, the current tremendous interest in this technology is rather down to earth-it is about energy recovery and wastewater treatment. To understand the presence and to predict and actively shape the future, it is a good opportunity to look into and learn from the past. This article shall go on a short journey through the past 100 years of microbial fuel cells. This is not to be understood as a comprehensive and complete survey of the MFC literature and development. It is rather a personal view on critical aspects in the past development and the possible future of this technology.