Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site
Published on: July 24, 2018
Modeling of Sustainable Base Production by Microbial Electrolysis Cell
Maxime Blatter1,2, Marc Sugnaux1, Christos Comninellis2
1Institute of Life Technologies, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Rte du Rawyl 64, 1950, Sion, Switzerland.
Abstract:
A predictive model for the microbial/electrochemical base formation from wastewater was established and compared to experimental conditions within a microbial electrolysis cell. A Na2 SO4 /K2 SO4 anolyte showed that model prediction matched experimental results. Using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a strong base (pH≈13) was generated using applied voltages between 0.3 and 1.1 V. Due to the use of bicarbonate, the pH value in the anolyte remained unchanged, which is required to maintain microbial activity.
Related Concept Videos
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Microbial Mats
Production of Organic Acids
Marine Microbial Ecology
The Winogradsky Column
Microbes and Methanogenesis

