Sanne M de Smit, Largus Lars T Angenent, Federico Aulenta, Abraham Esteve-Nunez, Albert Guisasola, Falk Harnisch, Elizabeth S Heidrich, Ludovic Jourdin, Marika Kokko, Rikke Linssen, Deepak Pant, Catarina M Paquete, Jo Philips, Sebastià Puig, Korneel Rabaey, Miriam A Rosenbaum, Uwe Schröder, Tom Sleutels, César I Torres, Marianna Villano, Annemiek Ter Heijne
Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) are emerging with innovative applications in various fields by harnessing the combined action of electrodes and microbes. What if METs could be the key to circularity in wastewater treatment? What if METs could be employed to convert electricity and CO2, or waste, into valuable organics? What if new bioinspired materials could be produced through METs? What if METs could be used as smart bio-based sensors? We provide our vision for the future of METs in four sectors: water treatment, industrial biotechnology, electronics, and biosensors. We showcase why and how METs could advance or replace state-of-the-art technologies and discuss the challenges that must be overcome to make METs part of an electrified future powered by microbes.