Advancements in the application of bioelectrochemical systems–based sensors

This chapter includes the research works on bioelectrochemical systems (BES) and their utility in powering different types of sensors such as water quality sensors, medical sensors, volatile fatty acid sensors, environmental sensors, plant growth sensors, etc. Recent advances and developments in sensor operations, electronics, and wireless data transmission and communication have enabled the widespread use of sensors in almost all technological fields, including engineering, medical sciences, chemistry, agriculture, etc. The use of BESs instead of chemical batteries is a safe environmental approach for sustainable development where waste management and powering of batteries can be achieved simultaneously. The BESs or more specifically microbial fuel cells (MFCs) or microbial carbon capture cells (MCCs) can effectively power water quality sensors and have the benefit of being a cost-effective and usage of clean energy source. Due to the high necessity for a newly emerging renewable energy supply with long-running life and high reliability, BES has a variety of possible applications in the modern technological scenario, and the performance of such systems is to be researched more in the future to enhance the efficacy. The recent trends in wastewater utilization and renewable energy production have paved a higher research option for the development of cutting-edge technologies such as BES acting as biosensors and power supply to different sensors. The suggestions for future research perspectives on BES are also highlighted in the chapter.