ABSTRACT
The plant-microbial fuel cell (Plant-MFC) is an attraction while it produces electricity with living plants. This technology has a great potential to be further applied as new small or large-scale electricity source while servicing people and the environment. The objective of this chapter is to provide a constructive explanatory overview of the Plant-MFC and its innovative environmental technological applications. A summary is generated on research breakthroughs that lead to various emerging applications. Since the development of the first Plant-MFCs in 2008, research led to further understanding of the working principles and the various new applications. The Plant-MFC is suited to power sensors or act as a sensor by itself. The technology is integrated in various systems, including green electricity roofs, constructed wetlands, rice paddy fields, tables and road-lighting applications. The electricity is used for numerous demonstrations such as to power cell phones or even radios. Electricity generation is combined with a unique combination of microbial, geochemical, electrochemical and plant processes that allow new applications providing various services. Services include methane emission reduction, water treatment, plant growth, food production, nature preservation, agriculture monitoring, green electricity experience, education, nutrient recovery, social awareness, pollutant removal, etc.. Valorization of these services is done by companies and designers in collaboration with several researchers and stakeholders.
