Bioresource technology • 2025

Balancing the surface area of electrodes to reactor volume (SA/V) ratio in microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems is crucial for enhancing electron transfer, biofilm development, and product yield. Batch MES experiments were conducted using cathodes with SA/V ratios of 40 cm 2  L -1 (MES-1), 150 cm 2  L -1 (MES-2), 260 cm 2  L -1 (MES-3) and 333 cm 2  L -1 (MES-4), selected based on statistical analysis of previous studies. Among these, MES-3 (260 cm 2  L -1 ) demonstrated the highest caproic acid production of 1.5 ± 0.2 g L -1 and selectivity 67 %, outperforming MES-1, MES-2, and MES-4 by 2.1, 1.4, and 4.4 times, respectively. MES-3 had improved mass and electron transfer while maintaining effective microbe-electrode interactions. Additionally, MES-3 showed the lowest energy consumption (6.5 ± 2.3 kWh mol -1 VFAs) and a higher electron recovery efficiency (55.8 ± 18.3 % at 2.5 V). These results demonstrate that balancing SA/V ratio is key to enhancing MES performance and sustainable MCFA production.

Journal of hazardous materials • 2025

The electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia is considered an environmentally friendly and practically promising approach that can serve as an alternative to microbial nitrification and denitrification, offering a potential solution to nitrate pollution in water bodies while simultaneously producing a vital basic chemical, ammonia (NH 3 ). Low NH 3 yield and selectivity remain major challenges for this reaction, making the development of efficient catalysts crucial. Experimental findings indicate that the construction of Cu x Co y O 4 @TiO 2 /TM markedly boosts the catalytic efficiency TiO 2 , especially by tuning the Cu/Co ratio to optimize catalytic activity, with the best catalytic performance observed at a Cu/Co ratio of 1:1. Furthermore, catalysts with different Cu/Co ratios exhibited consistent changes in morphology and catalytic performance, confirming the role of Cu/Co ratio in regulating catalyst morphology and catalytic activity. Theoretical calculations indicate that Cu and Co bimetallic active sites play a crucial role in charge transfer and structural reconfiguration. The introduction of Cu x Co y O 4 enhances the conductivity of TiO 2 , improves charge transfer efficiency, and the optimization of the Cu/Co ratio significantly improves the overall performance of the nitrate reduction reaction. With the excellent catalytic performance and wide application prospects in wastewater treatment, this catalyst is expected to be a research hotspot in the fields of scientific research and engineering, contributing to future environmental protection and sustainable development.

Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts • 2025

Our results suggest that Q-pool-dependent EEU is both IMF-dependent and is IMF-limited in a proof-of-concept system. Because microbes that rely on Q-pool-dependent EEU are among the most genetically tractable and metabolically flexible options for MES systems, it is important that we account for this thermodynamic bottleneck in future MES platform designs.

Journal of environmental management • 2025

Microbial electrotrophs are key players in biogeochemical cycles, but the impact of electrotrophic communities on the diverse chemical composition and properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) molecules in paddy soils has not been comprehensively explored. Herein, we investigated the response of DOM molecules in paddy soil-based microcosms to electrotrophic communities using microbial electrosynthesis systems (MESs), high-resolution mass spectrometry, and genome-centric metagenomics techniques. Compared to the open-circuit control, the closed-circuit system exhibited a 2.6-fold increase in dissolved organic carbon concentration after 120 days of incubation in the MESs, with aromatic and tannin molecular abundances rising by 3.5-fold and 4.4-fold, respectively. These results indicate that electrotrophic activity enhances both the structural complexity and aromatization (humification degree) of soil DOM. Functional annotation revealed significant enrichment of the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle and Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle, demonstrating active CO 2 assimilation by electrotrophs into complex organic compounds. Electrotrophic genera such as Pseudomonas, Hyphomicrobium, Phenylobacterium, Achromobacter, Geobacter, Anaeromyxobacter, and Magnetospirillum were substantially enriched under the closed-circuit conditions, with relative abundances increasing from 0.02-0.72 % to 1.65-13.68 %. These microbes likely facilitated DOM stabilization by coupling extracellular electron uptake with CO 2 fixation, thereby transforming labile organic carbon into more stable molecular structures. These findings elucidate the impact of electrotrophic bacteria in regulating the DOM transformation, providing a deeper understanding of the transformation mechanisms of DOM in paddy soils.

Trends in biotechnology • 2025

Electrosynthesis is an emerging research direction for greener and more efficient chemical synthesis. Although heterogeneous catalysis efficiency can be improved by tuning electrode surface properties, electrocatalysts frequently fall short of producing chiral molecules with high purity and minimized side reactions. Enzymes are superior catalysts with lower activation barriers. These catalysts, developed through evolution, enable high selectivity and specificity, which are essential for many industrial and pharmaceutical processes. Thus, electronically coupling enzymes or bacteria with electrodes can drive efficient chemical synthesis while ensuring the required selectivity. Here, we used an enzymatic cascade or engineered bacteria for the conversion of 2-methylpyrroline to (R)-2-methylpyrrolidine by isolating or overexpressing imine reductase (IRED), respectively. We further show that coupling the bioelectrocatalytic process with a CdS/NiO-based photoanode enables light-driven, bias-free photo(bio)electrochemical cell activation. The developed platform is versatile and adaptable for any process requiring NADPH-dependent enzymes, in vivo or in vitro.

iScience • 2025

Improving microbial electrosynthesis could be one solution for transitioning toward sustainable chemical production, offering a pathway to convert CO 2 into valuable commodities from renewable energy sources. Therefore, we further developed liquid- and vapor-fed anode zero-gap bioelectrochemical cells for electromethanogenesis, utilizing a membrane electrode assembly to enhance mass and ohmic transport. Focusing on CH 4 and H 2 production, we tested two ion-exchange membranes with the liquid-fed anode system and selected the best-performing ion-exchange membrane for the vapor-fed anode system. The liquid-fed anode system did not show considerable differences in volumetric CH 4 production rates compared to vapor-fed anode systems. However, the latter demonstrated advantages in reducing electrocatalyst degradation and maintaining stable cell voltages, resulting in the highest reported maximum CH 4 production efficiency of 48.7 L kWh -1 , thus far. The research underscores the need for further optimization to address performance losses and suggests potential for industrial applications of microbial electrosynthesis, highlighting the importance of catalyst protection.

Journal of environmental management • 2025

Food waste (FW) is a critical global issue, exacerbating environmental degradation and resource scarcity. Traditional FW management methods are often inefficient and unsustainable. This review highlights advances in microbial community engineering for FW valorization, focusing on synthetic biology, metagenomics, metabolic engineering, and electro-fermentation. Engineered microbial consortia enhance the breakdown of complex organics while producing bioenergy, bioplastics, and organic acids. Metagenomics enables precise metabolic optimizations, and electro-fermentation improves bioconversion yields. These systems outperform conventional methods in reducing greenhouse gases, recovering nutrients, and promoting a circular bioeconomy. Challenges persist, including microbial stability, scalability, and incomplete knowledge of interspecies interactions. Future research should integrate AI and machine learning to design robust synthetic consortia and optimize metabolic pathways. Scaling electrochemical technologies (e.g., microbial electrosynthesis) requires further validation. Standardized biosafety protocols, techno-economic analyses, and supportive policies are essential for industrial adoption. Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial to address these gaps. In conclusion, microbial engineering offers a sustainable FW management solution, improving biodegradation efficiency and resource recovery. Future efforts must prioritize scalable, stable systems with real-time monitoring and ecological safety. Overcoming these challenges will enable engineered microbes to mitigate environmental impacts, generate renewable energy, and advance a resource-efficient future.

ChemSusChem • 2025

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) holds great promise for converting carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into building blocks of the (bio)chemical industry. Its advancement is hindered by limited process control and an incomplete understanding of the oxygen (O 2 ) stress response of biocatalysts or key engineering parameters like the availability of hydrogen (H 2 ). With Clostridium ljungdahlii as a model acetogen for strict anaerobic MES from CO 2 , the effect of O 2 stress and H 2 availability using 1-L electrobioreactors is showcased, providing high process control and relevance for follow-up engineering and scaling. Using a combinatorial approach of two cathode materials, three anode types, and various current regimes ranging from -5 to -80 mA, MES performance is boosted by overcoming O 2 stress and insufficient H 2 distribution at high current. It is demonstrated that a large-surface-area carbon fiber fabric cathode combined with O 2 evolution anodes flushed with nitrogen (N 2 ) allows the highest reproducible acetate concentration of 12.44 ± 1.56 g L -1 and maximum acetate production rate of 0.6 ± 0.1 g L -1  d -1 reported for MES from CO 2 using a pure culture. There is certainly room for improved process control at this and even larger scales, showing that the ceiling of strict anaerobic MES is far from being reached.

Discover nano • 2025

The increasing prevalence of emerging contaminants in wastewater, including pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and heavy metals, poses significant environmental and health challenges. This study investigates sustainable nanoparticle-based solutions for EC removal, with particular focus on biogenic synthesis methods and their practical implementation. We systematically evaluate the efficacy of biologically synthesized nanoparticles (e.g., plant-derived silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles) for targeted pollutant degradation, while critically assessing their scalability and economic feasibility for industrial wastewater treatment. Our approach combines a comprehensive review of green synthesis methodologies with experimental validation of nanoparticle performance in EC removal. The findings indicate that biogenic nanoparticles, such as silver nanoparticles synthesized from Ficus carica leaf extract, demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, while titanium dioxide nanoparticles from Annona muricata L. extract showed promising photocatalytic efficiency for degrading organic pollutants. However, challenges such as low product yield in microbial electrosynthesis were identified, highlighting the need for optimization in production processes. The study provides essential insights for transitioning these methods from experimental systems to practical applications, offering a framework for more sustainable wastewater treatment.

Journal of environmental sciences (China) • 2025

As the core of cathode materials, sensitive metals play important roles in the optimization of acetate production from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in microbial electrochemical system (MES). In this work, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) as sensitive metal cathode materials were evaluated for CO 2 conversion in MES. The MES with Fe-electrode as a promising electrode material demonstrated a superior CO 2 reduction performance with a maximum acetate accumulation of 417.9 ± 39.2 mg/L, which was 1.5 and 1.7 folds higher than that in the Ni-electrode and Cu-electrode groups, respectively. Furthermore, an outstanding electron recovery efficiency of 67.7 % was shown in the Fe-electrode group. The electron transfer between electrode-suspended sludge was systematically cross-evaluated by the electrochemical behavior and extracellular polymeric substances. The Fe-electrode group had the highest electron transfer rate with 0.194 s -1 (k app ), which was 17.6 and 21.5 times higher than that of the Cu- and Ni-electrode groups, respectively. Fe-electrode was beneficial for reducing electrochemical impedance between the electrode and suspended sludge. Additionally, redox substances in extracellular polymeric substances of the Fe-electrode group were increased, implying more favorable electron transport dynamics. Simultaneously, enrichments of functional bacteria Acetoanerobium and increased key enzymes involved in the carbonyl pathway of the Fe-electrode group were observed, which also promoted CO 2 conversion in MES. This study provides a perspective on evaluating the promising sensitive metal electrode material for the process of CO 2 valorization in MES and offers a reference for the subsequent electrode modification.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2025

Development of highly stable, conductive, biocompatible and cost-effective cathode is crucial for scaling up microbial electrosynthesis (MES). Bimetallic cathodes have gain importance in recent times due wide application. Current study utilized a bimetallic (nickel and iron) impregnated granular activated carbon (Ni-Fe-GAC) cathode in microbial electrosynthesis. Ni-Fe-GAC cathode was prepared via treating GACs in a mixed solution of nickel chloride and iron sulphate. Deposition of metals on GAC facilitates the improved electron transfer and biofilm formation on the GAC surface, giving 1.4 times higher acetate production than plain GAC (control). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the well adaptation of anaerobic microbes on the surface of Ni-Fe-GAC cathode. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) confirmed the better electrochemical performance of Ni-Fe-GAC cathode. A regeneration test was also conducted via acid washing to remove metals from Ni-Fe-GAC followed by reloading. Regeneration successfully restored cathode performance, making Ni-Fe-GAC suitable for long-term application.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) • 2026

Precise manipulation of interspecies electron transfer (IET) is critical for advancing microbial electrosynthesis (MES) toward efficient CO 2 bioconversion. Here, defined synthetic consortia are constructed by pairing Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a model bidirectional electroactive bacterium, with Clostridium aceticum (electroactive acetogen) or Acetobacterium woodii (nonelectroactive acetogen), mimicking functional guilds commonly observed in natural MES communities. Co-cultivation markedly boosts acetate production by up to 88%, achieving 1.16 ± 0.01 and 1.05 ± 0.01 g L -1 , with carbon conversion efficiencies exceeding 84%. Comprehensive electrochemical, spectroscopic, and biomass analyses reveal distinct spatial electron transfer modes: DIET via cytochrome c and riboflavin dominates at the biofilm-electrode interface in S. oneidensis-C. aceticum consortia, whereas S. oneidensis-A. woodii consortia prefer H 2 /formate-mediated IET in the planktonic phase. This metabolic stratification enables S. oneidensis to function as an "ecosystem engineer," orchestrating electron flow to optimize CO 2 -to-acetate conversion across biofilm and suspension niches. The proposed synthetic ecology strategy provides a blueprint for designing high-efficiency MES consortia, paving new avenues for sustainable carbon capture and bio-based chemical production.

Frontiers in microbiology • 2025

The practical implementation of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is currently limited by the slow microbial colonisation of the electrode and the need to suppress methanogenic activity. This study investigates a two-stage strategy to suppress methanogenesis and promote the rapid formation of an acetogenic biofilm in a directed-flow-through bioelectrochemical reactor. Four start-up regimes were compared: mixotrophic without heat pre-treatment (M), mixotrophic with heat pre-treatment (MT), heterotrophic without heat pre-treatment (H), and heterotrophic with heat pre-treatment (HT), each followed by a common autotrophic phase. Mixotrophy outperformed heterotrophy by accelerating and increasing acetate accumulation. However, adding heat pre-treatment (MT) introduced a short lag phase and resulted in less sustained chain elongation than mixotrophy alone (M). Under the mixotrophic regime, microbial analysis showed an enrichment of genera with acetogenic representatives such as Clostridium sensu stricto 12 and Sporomusa , alongside a reduction in facultative anaerobic and fermentative bacteria. Full biofilm colonisation of the electrode was achieved within 55 to 65 days, while acetate, butyrate, and caproate production was initiated within the first week, reaching concentrations typically observed only after approximately 70 days under autotrophic conditions. Methane remained undetectable for about 40 days and, when detected later, exhibited low coulombic efficiencies (< 1%). Taken together, these results indicate that mixotrophic start-up provides a promising route to accelerate electrode colonisation and enhance early-stage productivity in MES, while highlighting the need for further optimisation and a deeper understanding of microbial interactions.

Bioresource technology • 2025

The rapid rise in CO 2 concentrations poses long-term environmental issues, necessitating the development of effective mitigation techniques. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) shows promise technology for converting CO 2 into value-added compounds. In MES, chemolithoautotrophic bacteria operate as biocatalysts, converting CO 2 to organic acids in microbial electrochemical reactors. The study aimed to enrich acetogenic chemolithotrophs for CO 2 -to-acetic acid conversion, and chain-elongating bacteria for extending short-chain fatty acids into higher-value multi-carbon compounds. Electricity-powered batch tests and MES reactors produced acetic acid (570 mg/L) and other multi-carbon compounds (C2-C7), such as propionic acid (250 ± 14 mg/L), butyric acid (190 ± 20 mg/L), and heptanoic acid (230 ± 25 mg/L). Sporomusa, Pseudomonas, Desulfosporosinus, and Proteiniphilum were the main acetogens (up to 54 %), contributing to chain elongation and C3-C7 acid production. Metabolic activity was associated with the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for acetogenesis and reverse β-oxidation for fatty acid elongation. The low presence of Clostridium may explain the low yields of elongated products. This work identifies MES-assisted biocatalysis as a promising method for producing multi-carbon compounds from CO 2 .

Environmental research • 2026

Groundwater nitrate contamination has become a global environmental concern. The self-alkalization during denitrification often results in nitrite accumulation, limiting nitrogen removal rate. In this study, a cotton-based biofilm electrode reactor (CBER) was constructed to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation on denitrification performance, microbial enzyme activity, and microbial community. The system pH increased to 9.68, indicating severe self-alkalization with nitrite accumulation of 16.77 ± 1.71 mg-N/L at 0 mA/m 2 . In contrast, nitrate removal rate (NRR) increased 21.4 % to 0.68 mg-N/(L·h) at 100 mA/m 2 , while nitrite accumulation decreased to 0.14 ± 0.05 mg-N/L, representing a 99.2 % decrease compared with that at 0 mA/m 2 . Electrical stimulation effectively suppressed nitrite accumulation by enhancing nitrite reductase activity from 0.20 to 0.34 U/mg prot (0-100 mA/m 2 ). Enzyme activity assays demonstrated that moderate electrical stimulation significantly enhanced the activities of nitrate and nitrite reductases, whereas high current density 300 mA/m 2 induced oxidative stress, thereby suppressing microbial activity. Microbial community analysis revealed that electrical stimulation increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria from 60.2 % to 82.6 %. Concurrently, the key functional genus Pseudomonas increased from 1.1 % to 13.1 %, indicating a functional shift from organic degradation to nitrogen removal. This study reveals a synergistic mechanism how electrical stimulation suppresses self-alkalization through enzyme regulation and community restructuring. These findings provide important insights for the design and optimization of bioelectrochemical nitrogen removal technologies.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2026

Hydrogen energy and metal-air batteries, particularly zinc-air batteries (ZABs), have garnered significant interest as clean energy vectors and energy storage devices, respectively. However, their efficiency is constrained by the high overpotential and sluggish kinetics associated with the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, we propose a green and efficient bioelectrocatalytic cascade system designed to overcome the energy efficiency limitations of conventional OER. The system employs nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) as both supporting material and electrocatalyst for immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOx) and for the in situ catalytic decomposition of H 2 O 2 produced during the GOx-catalyzed oxidation of glucose. This approach not only significantly reduces the overpotentials required for water splitting and ZAB charging but also facilitates the co-production of high-value gluconic acid. Electrochemical evaluations demonstrate that the bioelectrocatalytic hydrogen evolution system achieves a current density of 10 mA cm -2 at just 1.60 V. Furthermore, ZABs incorporating this system exhibit high power density and exceptional cycling stability. These findings underscore the potential of designing efficient and stable bifunctional bioelectrochemical catalysts as an energy-saving and high-efficiency strategy for hydrogen production and biomass valorization.

ACS applied materials & interfaces • 2025

Metabolic regulation─the dynamic biochemical network governing energy transduction, substrate conversion, and metabolic flux─represents a fundamental determinant of microbial viability and functional output. While temporal metabolite fluctuations provide critical insights into metabolic network dynamics, conventional analytical platforms face fundamental limitations in real-time monitoring within native microbial environments. This study presents a novel whole-cell electrochemical biosensing platform integrating carbon dot (CD)-engineered Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) with advanced cyclic voltammetry (CV) for dynamic metabolic interrogation. This biohybrid system synergizes microbial biochemical specificity with CD-enhanced electron transfer efficiency, achieving nearly a 20-fold amplification in the electrochemical signal amplitude through quantum-enhanced charge transport mechanisms. The platform enables precise quantification of redox-active metabolites via distinct voltammetric fingerprints, as demonstrated through the detection of lactic acid─a pivotal biomarker in industrial biotechnology and clinical diagnostics. Featuring a modular bioarchitectural design, this technology permits seamless adaptation across diverse microbial systems, offering unprecedented capabilities for real-time bioprocess optimization, dynamic metabolic pathway analysis, and pathogen metabolic profiling. By interfacing nanomaterial-enhanced electrochemistry with synthetic biology, our platform surmounts traditional analytical constraints, establishing a versatile analytical tool for spatiotemporal mapping of metabolic networks in complex biological matrices.

Environmental science and pollution research international • 2026

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a revolutionary wastewater treatment technology that can simultaneously achieve pollutant degradation and energy recovery. In recent years, advancements in electrode materials (such as graphene-TiO₂ composites) and reactor design have increased their power density to 17.8 W/m 2 and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate to over 89%. This review systematically analyzes these materials and modular designs, aiming to address key challenges such as interface electron transfer and mass transfer limitations. The article assesses the applications of MFCs in emerging fields such as nutrient recovery (e.g., anode-driven denitrification increases the total nitrogen removal rate by 19.8%), high-sensitivity biosensing (e.g., BPA detection sensitivity reaches 0.238 mV/(mg/L)), and decentralized wastewater treatment. In response to cost and stability obstacles in the commercialization process, this paper proposes strategies such as performance standardization and microbial community optimization. The analysis indicates that MFCs possess the dual functions of "energy-producing" wastewater treatment systems and real-time water quality monitoring platforms, providing a clear technical path for transitioning from laboratory to industrial applications. This review offers a critical synthesis that extends beyond mere performance comparisons. It establishes application-oriented evaluation frameworks, proposes value-tiered commercialization strategies, and aims to bridge the critical gap between laboratory-scale achievements and industrial feasibility.

Bioresource technology • 2026

An anaerobic environment is typically optimal for electrochemically active microorganisms to generate current. Previous studies have created an integrated chamber-free microbial fuel cell (iMFC) that enables anaerobic sludge-sourced EAMs to function under high dissolved oxygen (DO) for the first time, although the mechanism remained unclear. This study examined the power output and anode microbiome dynamics under DO exposure in the iMFC. Multi-omics revealed a three-phase microbiome reassembly during aeration. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and its precursors from anaerobes, together with streptozocin, phenazine, and rhamnolipid produced sequentially by aerobes, drove the anaerobic-aerobic transition. Initially, DO suppressed anaerobes, alleviating their IAA-mediated inhibition of facultative aerobes. Subsequent cell-cell signaling guided anodic microbiome succession from Acinetobacter to Stenotrophomonas, and finally to Pseudomonas. These findings elucidate the anode microbiome transformation mechanism and confirm with a reassembled synthetic consortium that iMFCs can operate aerobically, providing key insights for scaling the technology.

Water research • 2026

In response to the escalating issue of antibiotic-microplastic co-contamination in aquatic environments, this study first investigated the performance and underlying mechanisms of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in treating such pollutants in wastewater. The degradation of chloramphenicol (CAP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), their combined contamination, and the combined system supplemented with the quorum sensing signal molecule 3OC8-HSL were evaluated. The results demonstrated that PVC co-occurrence enhanced the degradation of both pollutants (CAP degradation rate constant increased by 31.65 % and PVC weight loss increased by 93.27 %). The addition of 3OC8-HSL further facilitated CAP degradation (degradation rate constant increased by 78.14 %) and electricity generation of the MFC (maximum power density enhanced by 81.05 %). PVC primarily promoted pollutant removal by adsorbing CAP, thereby alleviating its acute toxicity, while increasing the abundance of the dual-functional degradation gene adhP in the anode biofilm to enhance the CAP and PVC degradation efficiencies. The addition of 3OC8-HSL increased the biomass and activity of the anode biofilm, selectively enriched the electroactive bacteria for both CAP and PVC degradation, with Achromobacter sp. M3 and Klebsiella sp. X11 identified as the key bacteria which harbor complete sets of CAP and PVC degradation genes and secret riboflavin. Furthermore, 3OC8-HSL reinforced multi-pathway CAP degradation and bioelectricity generation by enriching key genes involved in acetylation (ACAT, atoB), dechlorination (E3.8.1.2, dehH), deamidation (E3.5.1.4, amiE), ring cleavage (pcaC), β-oxidation (Paaf, echA, paaH, hbd, fadB, mmgB), and riboflavin synthesis (rutF, ushA, ribE). This study offers a novel strategy for the bioremediation of antibiotic-microplastic co-contamination in aquatic environments.

Bioresource technology • 2026

This study constructed a composite-polluted wastewater system containing high-concentration ammonia (5 g/L), multiple antibiotics (1 mg/L), and microplastics (10 mg/L) to simulate complex scenarios where emerging and conventional pollutants coexist in waste streams like sludge digestate and livestock effluent. Humic acid (HA, 10 mg/L) was integrated as a natural electron shuttle in coupled bioelectrochemical systems (BES) to enhance treatment. Results showed HA increased methane yield (9.89 %) and organic conversion, alleviated ammonia inhibition (11.96 %), and stabilized volatile fatty acids. It also effectively mitigated reactive oxygen species generation in microbial consortia and promoted extracellular polymeric substance formation, shielding cells against co-contaminant toxicity. HA stimulated the acetoclastic, dominated over the hydrogenotrophic, thereby promoting methane metabolism. Crucially, HA diminished the selective pressure of antibiotics, thereby suppressing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) proliferation and horizontal transfer, while enriching nitrogen metabolism genes. This confirms that HA-coupled BES enhances treatment resilience and microbial adaptability for complex wastewater.

Toxics • 2025

Heavy-metal contamination poses a significant global threat to soil environments, underscoring the necessity for effective and sustainable remediation technologies. This review methodically summarizes advances in the field of microbial remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, organized around four major dimensions: remediation mechanisms, synergistic technologies, field applications, and future prospects. Firstly, the remediation mechanisms are elucidated, encompassing molecular interactions, cellular adaptation, and community-level cooperative responses. Secondly, the integration of microbes with functional materials and bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) is evaluated, with these materials providing support, electron mediation, and micro-environment regulation that markedly improve remediation efficiency and stability. Moreover, illustrative field cases demonstrate pivotal technological pathways and cost-effectiveness when transitioning from laboratory- to field-scale applications. Finally, emerging frontiers such as synthetic biology-engineered microbes, AI-driven microbial design, circular-economy value recovery, and policy-governance innovations are discussed, proposing essential elements for building a "predictable-controllable-sustainable" microbial remediation platform. This review aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge framework for researchers and to offer decision-making guidance for practitioners and policymakers, thereby advancing microbial remediation toward higher efficiency, reliability, and scalability.

Bioresource technology • 2026

This study developed a hybrid bioelectrochemical-anaerobic digestion (BEAD) system by integrating synergistic bioelectrodes with dynamic microbial communities. Carbon-based electrode materials, including activated carbon@Ni/stainless steel mesh (AC@Ni/SSM), carbon black@Ni/stainless steel mesh (CB@Ni/SSM), and varying doses of corn stalk (CS, 1.0-8.0 g/L), were systematically optimized. Among them, the AC@Ni/SSM electrode exhibited superior performance, achieving a cumulative methane production of 493.08 ± 1.0 mL/g VS 2.8 times higher than that of conventional anaerobic digestion (155.1 ± 1.2 mL/g VS). Electrochemical analyses indicated that the hierarchical structure of AC@Ni/SSM reduced charge transfer resistance by 42 % and minimized ionic diffusion barriers, thereby facilitating direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) through conductive biofilms. An optimal CS dose of 2.0 g/L enhanced substrate-microbe interactions, resulting in 68.25 % methane content and 90.23 % COD removal. Microbial community analysis revealed an enrichment of Firmicutes (56 %) and Bacteroidota (22 %), key taxa involved in lignocellulose degradation and DIET-mediated methanogenesis. These results demonstrate the potential of the BEAD system to overcome electron transfer limitations, providing a sustainable strategy for the high-efficiency valorization of lignocellulosic biomass.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2026

Detection of ciprofloxacin (CIP) is crucial due to its persistence and frequent occurrence in water bodies. An algal microbial fuel cell (MFC) integrated with an electrospun carbon nanotube-polyaniline-zinc oxide (CNT-PANI-ZnO) nanofiber electrode was developed for simultaneous renewable energy generation and CIP detection. The electrode enhanced electron transfer efficiency, enabling sensitive monitoring of voltage changes during CIP analysis. The electrode properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, zeta potential, and contact angle analyses. Bio-electrochemical performance was assessed using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The algal MFC achieved a maximum power density of 27.57 ± 0.95 mW m -3 at a current density of 46.73 ± 0.57 mA m -2 with an internal resistance of 22 Ω. CIP was detected with a minimum limit of 0.5 μg L -1 and a sensitivity of 0.1568 mV (μg L -1 ) -1 under stable voltage conditions. The system exhibited reusability over three operational cycles. These findings demonstrate the potential of CNT-PANI-ZnO-based algal MFCs as eco-friendly platforms for sustainable energy conversion and real-time contaminant sensing.

Chemosphere • 2026

Freshwater scarcity and the environmental burden of reverse osmosis (RO) reject streams demand sustainable desalination alternatives. Microbial desalination cells (MDCs), integrated with bioelectrochemical processes, have emerged as eco-friendly platforms for simultaneous wastewater treatment, ion removal, and energy recovery. However, their reliance on costly, ion-exchange membranes limits scalability. This review critically examines low-cost waste-valorized membranes fabricated from agricultural residues, polymeric wastes, ceramics, and industrial byproducts as green substitutes for conventional membranes in MDCs. This review critically discusses the past progress of low-cost waste additives to multifunctional, biofunctionalized membranes with superior ion transport, antifouling, and self-cleaning capabilities. The major focus of the paper is on strategies such as graphene oxide doping, enzyme immobilization, and magnetic biochar integration that can enhance performance, conductivity, and fouling resistance, alongside reducing cost and carbon dioxide footprint. Based on the in-depth analysis, a comprehensive roadmap is proposed encompassing feedstock standardization, green fabrication, novel manufacturing techniques including digital process optimization, techno-economic analysis, integrated MDC-RO systems, and end-of-life recycling, aimed at enabling scalable, decentralized, and cost-effective desalination solutions. Further, the integration of waste-derived membranes into MDC-RO hybrids is presented as a viable pathway to increase water recovery, reduce fouling, and lower energy demand. This work underscores the potential of waste-valorized membranes as next-generation sustainable solutions for water-energy nexus challenges.

Water research • 2026

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of high-level chloramphenicol (CAP) degradation in mariculture wastewater using a single chamber bioelectrochemical system (BES). The reactor was assembled with carbon-brush electrodes and operated with sea mud as inoculum. Nearly complete removal of 200 mg/L CAP was achieved within 36 h when 2 g/L glucose was supplied as a co-substrate. With 200 mg/L CAP as the sole carbon source, BES at the close circuit achieved 28 ± 3% higher CAP removal than that at the open circuit within 72 h. CAP removal declined from 100 ± 5% to 45 ± 4% as the initial concentration increased from 200 to 600 mg/L within 36 h. High CAP concentration markedly inhibited sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), reducing the relative abundance of Desulfobulbus from 28.7% to < 0.5%, and decreasing sulfate removal from 90 ± 5% to < 56 ± 3% compared with the control. Nitro-reduction of CAP at the cathodic biofilm was determined as the predominant pathway among the three degradation routes in the BES. Metagenomic analysis revealed that 200 mg/L CAP significantly inhibited both multidrug efflux pump genes and key operons involved in dissimilatory sulfate reduction in the cathodic biofilm. Our results could be useful for eliminating high concentrations of antibiotic contaminants from seawater.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) • 2026

This review presents a critical and comparative analysis of carbon-based electrochemical sensing platforms for the determination of heavy metal ions in water, with emphasis on Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Hg 2+ . The growing discharge of industrial and mining effluents has led to persistent contamination of aquatic environments by toxic metals, creating an urgent need for sensitive, rapid, and field-deployable analytical technologies. Carbon-based nanomaterials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and MXene, have emerged as key functional components in modern electrochemical sensors due to their high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and tunable surface chemistry. Based on reported studies, typical detection limits for Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) on glassy carbon and thin-film electrodes are in the range of 0.4-1.2 µg/L. For integrated thin-film sensing systems, limits of detection of 0.8-1.2 µg/L are commonly achieved. MXene-based platforms further enhance sensitivity and enable Hg 2+ detection with linear response ranges typically between 1 and 5 µg/L, accompanied by clear electrochemical or optical signals. Beyond conventional electrochemical detection, this review specifically highlights self-sustaining visual sensors based on MXene integrated with enzyme-driven bioelectrochemical systems, such as glucose oxidase (GOD) and Prussian blue (PB) assembled on ITO substrates. These systems convert chemical energy into measurable colorimetric signals without external power sources, enabling direct visual identification of Hg 2+ ions. Under optimized conditions (e.g., 5 mg/mL GOD and 5 mM glucose), stable and distinguishable color responses are achieved for rapid on-site monitoring. Overall, this review not only summarizes current performance benchmarks of carbon-based sensors but also identifies key challenges, including long-term stability, selectivity under multi-ion interference, and large-scale device integration, while outlining future directions toward portable multisensor water-quality monitoring systems.

Applied microbiology and biotechnology • 2026

Pig slurry management has emerged as a pressing environmental challenge in the context of rapid population growth and intensified livestock production, highlighting the need for sustainable recovery technologies. While microalgae-bacteria (MB) systems offer promising opportunities for nutrient recycling, the high turbidity of raw pig slurry (PS) typically limits their direct application. This study proposes an innovative two-step treatment that combines microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with MB consortia to enhance both pollutant removal and resource recovery from raw PS with COD levels exceeding 18,000 mg·L⁻ 1 . Unlike conventional designs relying on perfluorinated membranes, the MFCs employed an ionic liquid [N 8-10,8-10,8-10,1 + ][Cl - ] as a proton exchange medium, achieving 50% of COD removal and generating 57.27 ± 10.99 mW·m⁻ 2 . The effluent was subsequently treated with MB consortia, yielding biomass productivities of 0.1 to 0.2 g·L⁻ 1 ·day⁻ 1 , comparable to chemical fertilizer-based controls. Cell density with pre-treated and untreated pig slurry also matched control levels. In pollutant recovery, the combined microbial fuel cell and microalgae-bacteria treatment achieved up to 67% recovery of COD, over 99% of N-NH 4 + , and between 65 and 85% of P-PO 4 3- . These findings highlight the potential of integrating MFCs with MB consortia as a strategy for raw pig slurry management, t-ransforming waste into renewable energy and bioresources. KEY POINTS: • Pig slurry is transformed into biomass and bioenergy using sustainable technologies • Microalgae-bacteria consortia enhance nutrient recovery and water treatment • Ionic liquid microbial fuel cells support energy generation and COD reduction.

Journal of environmental management • 2026

Constructed wetlands (CWs) often experience declining efficiency due to clogging during long-term operation, traditional prevention and control methods are costly and prone to causing secondary pollution. This study innovatively integrated a bioelectrochemical system (MEC) with a vertical flow CW, forming a CW-MEC system. By regulating the electrification time (4.5 h, 9.0 h, 13.5 h within an 18-h hydraulic retention time cycle), it investigates the system's impact on alleviating clogging and the migration mechanisms across distinct vertical layers. The results demonstrated that a 9.0 h electrification time (ET) significantly enhanced the overall system performance. The quartz sand layer exhibited the smallest decrease in porosity, which was 0.87 compared to 0.71 in the control, while maintaining a stable COD removal rate of 61 %. Furthermore, it effectively regulated the composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The electric field promoted directional migration of blockage, with negatively charged EPS migrating towards the anode and inorganic precipitates migrating towards the cathode. Notably, the migration potential of Soluble-EPS (S-EPS) towards the anode increased by 116 % compared to the control. This resulted in a reduced total amount of clogging substances in the quartz sand layer, achieving "intermediate layer protection". This study, for the first time, reveals the vertical spatial migration patterns of blockage under electric field regulation and proposes the novel "sacrificial protection" mechanism of the electrode layers for the quartz sand layer. This provides an innovative strategy for the long-term and low-carbon operation of CWs.

The Science of the total environment • 2026

Micropollutants (MPs), such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, dyes, and industrial chemicals, persist through conventional wastewater treatment, necessitating advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) that can generate high-valence radicals (OH, SO 4 - , Cl). This review provides an updated and critical synthesis of AOP developments from 2019 to 2025, with explicit emphasis on mechanistic insights, electrode/catalyst innovations, hybrid AOP synergies, effluent toxicity, and economic feasibility. A key novelty of this work lies in its integrated comparison of standalone versus hybrid AOPs, as well as its inclusion of emerging systems such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), mixed-metal oxides (MMOs), bio-electrochemical systems (BES), and microwave-assisted AOPs, all evaluated together for the first time. Electrochemical processes (electro-Fenton, electro-persulfate, and electro-oxidation) demonstrated superior mineralization efficiency and stability, supported by advanced electrodes such as boron-doped diamond (BDD), Ti/SnO 2 -RuO 2 , and CO 2 -modified biochar. Photochemical, sono-chemical, and hybrid processes achieved >90% MP removal, with hybrid systems consistently outperforming standalone methods due to multi-pathway radical generation. A structured toxicity analysis using EC 50 /LC 50 frameworks confirmed significant detoxification, though ozonation-based AOPs require careful by-product control. Economic comparison highlights the feasibility of solar-driven and modular AOPs, particularly for low- and middle-income regions. Critical research gaps are identified in scale-up, cost, by-product fate, and long-term catalyst durability, offering pathways for future sustainable AOP deployment.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2026

Azo dyes, containing one or more azo bonds (-N=N-), are widely used but pose environmental and health risks due to their toxicity and resistance to degradation. Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) offer a potential approach for their reductive degradation, yet the role of molecular structure in degradation remains unclear. In this study, nine representative azo dyes were examined to access how substituent type and position affect degradation kinetics and electron transfer under controlled cathodic potentials in BESs. Electron-withdrawing substituents (e.g., -SO 3 - , -NO 2 ) and o-/m- substitution enhanced azo bond cleavage, while p-substitution or steric hindered degradation. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) revealed that higher reduction currents and lower charge-transfer resistance correlated with faster degradation. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis identified that the -N=N- group and other molecular features such as atom count, are key determinants of azo dyes removal. Experimental and theoretical calculations showed that molecular structure regulates the electron transfer efficiency from electrode to dye by affecting the electron density and steric hindrance of the azo bond, thereby determining degradation kinetics. This study deepened the influence of the molecular structure on azo dyes bioelectrochemical removal, and provided optimized guidance for the treatment of wastewater containing azo dyes by BESs.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) • 2026

Synthetic bioelectronics is rapidly advancing, propelled by breakthroughs in synthetic biology and bioelectronics. This convergence is key to next-generation wearable and implantable devices, enabling seamless integration with living systems. Here, we introduce an enzymatic hydrogel electrode (GelZymes) developed via a synthetic bioelectronic strategy to overcome the mechanical and interfacial limitations of conventional enzyme electrodes. GelZymes deliver two core advances: i) a monolithic and scalable 3D architecture that unifies the enzyme membrane and electrode, simplifying fabrication and eliminating interfacial instability; and ii) tissue-like viscoelasticity-combining stretchability and adhesiveness-rarely achievable with rigid enzyme membranes. GelZymes are synthesized through three steps: engineering a stretchable, mixed-conducting 3D hydrogel; implementing an enzyme-compatible, cascading crosslinking scheme to immobilize enzymes within the network; and balancing the trade-off between electronic/ionic conductivity and the density of redox-active enzyme sites to maximize bio-electrochemical performance. We further show that GelZymes enable a shift from invasive, tissue-interfaced biosensing to noninvasive, tissue-integrated biosensing, offering a practical pathway to bridge current biosensor technologies with living systems.

Water research • 2026

Real-time monitoring of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is crucial for optimizing wastewater treatment processes and evaluating water environmental quality. This study developed an integrated online BOD monitoring system based on bioelectrochemical system (BES) technology. Through automated process design and parameter optimization, the system achieved a detection range of 12.8-172.8 mg l -1 BOD (R²=0.995). Long-term stability assessment revealed that despite biosensor performance degradation during continuous measurements, the system maintained high accuracy (relative error <1.1%) through a baseline recalibration strategy implemented every 100 measurements. Field validation for the hydrolysis acidification tank (HAT) effluent demonstrated the capability of the system to monitor dynamic BOD variations and respond rapidly to process manipulation such as carbon source addition. By establishing a correction model specifically for the HAT effluent samples, the system achieved a relative measurement error of 6.73%. The results demonstrate the robustness of the developed system in long-term real-time BOD monitoring of HAT effluent, which may provide data support for downstream process regulation.

Journal of hazardous materials • 2026

Large quantities of low-concentration uranium-contaminated water from the nuclear industry poses a critical environmental challenge due to the limitations of current methods on removal efficiency and adsorption selectivity. This study developed a novel biofilm cathode for enhanced uranium adsorption by leveraging the quorum sensing (QS) system of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Biofilm formation was induced using exogenous acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), with C4-HSL (10 μmol/L) identified as the most efficient signal molecule. It significantly improved biofilm properties, increasing thickness by 107.7 % versus the control without AHLs, boosting extracellular protein content, and increasing the proportion of living cells. Microstructure analysis (CLSM) revealed a "base-polysaccharide-gel" three-dimensional structure, where proteins, lipids, and β-polysaccharides form a functional gel layer that provides the primary functional matrix for uranium binding. The C4-HSL-induced biofilm exhibited a 43.4 % higher reduction peak current and a 33.3 % decrease in electron transfer resistance, confirming improved electron transfer efficiency. Furthermore, coupling CLSM, SEM-EDS, FT-IR and XPS analysis indicated uranium capture was primarily dominated by complexation/coordination with functional groups on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), supplemented by electrochemical reduction of 25.91 % soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV). Accordingly, a possible mechanism model of QS-driven biofilm cathode is proposed for optimizing biofilm structure and enhancing uranium capture. Finally, verification tests in actual uranium-contaminated groundwater demonstrated the biofilm cathode exhibited exceptional performance with a 99.4 % uranium recovery rate and high selectivity (K d,U at 34.57 L/g). These findings highlight the significant potential of AHLs-triggered QS as a powerful strategy to optimize bioelectrochemical properties for highly-efficient uranium remediation and resource recovery.

Water research • 2026

Rapid industrialization has caused widespread global groundwater contamination. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES), as a promising in-situ groundwater remediation technology, are limited by the low conductivity of natural groundwater (< 1000 μS cm -1 ). To address this constraint, this study developed a sandwich electrode-assembled BES (SEA-BES), evaluated its pollutant removal performance with nitrobenzene (NB) as an example, and conducted pilot-scale tests. A non-woven cloth separator reduced SEA-BES electrode spacing to the μm-scale. The SEA-BES significantly reduced solution resistance in low-conductivity groundwater (from 66.5 Ω in conventional BES to 1.0 Ω at 250 μS cm -1 ) and achieved low energy demand (0.086 kWh mg -1 COD). Pseudo-first-order kinetic analysis of NB removal (initial NB concentration: 40 mg L -1 ; treatment time: 24 h) revealed significantly higher rate constants for the SEA-BES (0.1149 h -1 , R 2 =0.9985), which was 1.39-fold higher than that of the conventional BES (0.0827 h -1 , R 2 =0.9991). This enhancement is mainly attributed to optimized electron transfer (especially enhanced direct electron transfer), enriched targeted functional genera (e.g., Methanobacterium), and reduced dependence on EPS-mediated stress compensation. This study further developed an intermittent electrical stimulation mode to boost applicability and reduce energy use, achieving 74.23 % TOC mineralization, which was 18.32 % higher than that of the continuous stimulation mode. A 46-day pilot test confirmed stable pollutant removal. In summary, the SEA-BES with an intermittent electrical stimulation mode provides an efficient, low-energy solution for remediating organic pollutant-contaminated low-conductivity groundwater.

Current opinion in biotechnology • 2026

Electroactive bacteria (EAB) can exchange electrons with conductive materials as part of their metabolic activity, enabling the development of diverse bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). These systems can be used for sustainable power generation, pollutant biosensing, and pollutant bioremediation. Here, we first discuss recent studies that expand the bioremediation and biosensing capabilities of lab-scale BESs by using native and engineered EAB and microbial consortia. Then, we review innovative strategies implemented by large-scale pilot studies and startup companies to scale up BESs for low-cost bioremediation. This review summarizes the complementary insights gained from research done at these different scales and discusses where this knowledge can take us.

Bioresource technology • 2026

Efficient interfacial electron transfer between electroactive microorganisms and electrodes underpins bio-electrochemical systems for energy, environmental, biosensors, and bioelectronic applications. Yet oxygen infiltration, unavoidable under practical conditions, and severely impairs performance. Here, we propose a strategy where plant-sourced antioxidants, such as fraxetin, with high thermodynamic stability are employed as electron shuttles. Electrochemical analysis and density functional theory revealed that fraxetin, unlike flavin mononucleotide, resists oxygen oxidation and sustains electron transfer under saturated dissolved oxygen conditions. Additionally, oxygen infiltration caused a 75% decrease in the current generated by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 mediated by flavin mononucleotide, whereas the current mediated by fraxetin only decreased by 18%. This approach provided a fundamentally different and more practical solution than physical oxygen-exclusion methods, oxygen-tolerant ESs as a robust and versatile avenue to maintain efficient interfacial electron transfer in bio-electrochemical systems under actual environments.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2026

Multicellular cable bacteria are capable of transferring electrons over centimeter distances through an internal array of conductive fibers. These long, filamentous bacteria function as a living electrochemical cell, performing sulfide oxidation at one end and oxygen reduction at the other end. To investigate how O 2 reduction is linked to the long-distance electron transport along the conductive fibers, we performed a detailed electrochemical characterization of native filaments as well as extracted "fiber skeletons" without membranes or cytoplasm. Our data show that fibers skeletons only perform longitudinal electron transport and are not electrochemically active towards oxygen. Still, native cable bacterium filaments are capable of high oxygen reduction rates, thus indicating that dedicated enzyme systems in the periplasm or inner membrane are responsible for O 2 reduction. A chemical inhibition assay on native cable bacterium filaments indicates that cytochromes are involved in electron transfer from the conductive fibers towards O 2 . Together, our data provide empirical support for a model in which diffusible c-type cytochromes mediate electron transport through the periplasm, shuttling electrons between separate respiratory complexes and the conductive fiber network. As such, our study resolves a crucial aspect of the unique electrogenic metabolism in cable bacteria, and clarifies the application potential of the highly conductive fibers in Bio-electrochemical System technologies.

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Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação • 2026

A Inteligência Artificial (IA) tem crescido globalmente e se consolidado como tecnologia estratégica em diferentes setores, ampliando a demanda por formação especializada. Nesse contexto, a pós-graduação lato sensu assume papel relevante na atualização profissional. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o perfil da oferta de cursos de especialização lato sensu relacionados à IA no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo e descritivo, baseado em dados do sistema e-MEC, no qual foram identificados 2.762 cursos. As análises consideraram a distribuição dos cursos segundo áreas do conhecimento, modalidade de oferta, carga horária, duração, número de vagas e localização regional. Os resultados evidenciam forte concentração da oferta nas áreas de Computação, embora a IA apresente caráter transversal e elevado potencial de aplicação em áreas como educação, saúde, negócios e engenharia. Observou-se predominância da modalidade a distância e concentração regional nas regiões Sudeste e Sul, além de elevada heterogeneidade nos modelos formativos, especialmente quanto à duração e ao número de vagas. Os achados indicam que a oferta de cursos ainda reproduz padrões históricos de concentração educacional. O estudo contribui ao oferecer um panorama nacional da formação em IA, fornecendo subsídios para o planejamento educacional e a formulação de políticas públicas.

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Sensors • 2026

Human motion capture is crucial for various fields, but traditional optical systems (OMC) are costly and restrictive. Monocular video-based methods offer accessibility, yet face accuracy challenges, especially in dynamic sports like tennis. This study validates Capture4D, a novel Transformer-based monocular system, for capturing a wide range of tennis strokes. We developed a universal biomechanical analysis framework (K0-K5) applicable to twelve fundamental stroke types. To demonstrate the system’s capabilities, this paper focused on a detailed validation using the tennis serve as a representative example. We conducted experiments with 9 high-level tennis players, and motion data were simultaneously captured using Capture4D (single RGB camera) and OMC Qualisys (gold standard). Accuracy was evaluated by comparing 3D joint coordinates and joint angles using Normalized Mean Per Joint Position Error (NMPJPE), RMSE, and MAE. The results demonstrated that Capture4D effectively captured the tennis player’s motion, with average NMPJPE for tennis serves ranging from 69.5 mm to 88.3 mm, within the acceptable range (70–130 mm) for coaching purposes. Compared to OMC, Capture4D demonstrated comparable joint angle trajectories, with advantages in operational convenience, cost-effectiveness, and wider applicability. It offered an approximately 50% reduction in setup time and 80% cost savings. Capture4D presents a valid and practical monocular motion capture solution for coaching tennis and other broader applications in sports. While slightly less precise than OMC, its accuracy is acceptable for many use cases in coaching and teaching. It offers significant advantages in convenience and cost, paving the way for accessible motion analysis in diverse environments like outdoor settings and multi-person scenarios, in which OMC is not possible to be used. This technology holds promise for democratizing motion capture in sports training and coaching/teaching.