Biohydrogen production using microbial electrolysis cell: Recent advances and future prospects

The rise in the global energy demands with the depleting fossil fuels has triggered the quest for the alternate renewable fuels. In this regard, hydrogen energy has emerged as a possible substitute for the fossil fuels and thus has gained tremendous research attention in the recent past. Hydrogen production through biological routes proves to be an attractive alternative as it is energy intensive and environment-friendly. The electromediated microbial electrolysis cells provide a new avenue for the production of biohydrogen from organic wastes. The key advantage of this technology is that a complete conversion of organic waste to hydrogen can be achieved theoretically unlike other biohydrogen technologies that are limited by their theoretical conversion efficiencies. This chapter provides an insight into the basics of microbial electrolysis cells and further explores the breakthroughs observed in this technology over the past few years and concludes with the future outlook of the process.