[1] This bioreactor has two compartments: The anode, where the oxidation reaction takes place; And the cathode, where the reduction occurs.
At these sites, electrons are passed to and from microbes to power reduction of protons, breakdown of organic waste, or other desired processes.
The microorganism attempts to maximize their energy gain by selecting the electron acceptor with the highest potential available.
[5] The theoretical free energy change (ΔG) for microorganisms relates directly to the potential difference between the electron acceptor and the donor.
[9] On March 25, 2013, scientists at the University of East Anglia were able to transfer electrical charge by allowing bacteria to touch a metal or mineral surface.
[12] While processing wastewater using this reactor, nitrification, denitrification, and organic matter removal all take place simultaneously in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions using multiple different microbes located on the anode of the system.