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International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management • 2026

Abstract—The rapid proliferation of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India and globally imposes severe technical challenges on existing distribution networks, including elevated power losses, voltage profile degradation, and increased investment costs. This paper proposes a novel Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization – Grey Wolf Optimizer (PSO-GWO) algorithm for the simultaneous optimal placement and sizing of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCSs) integrated with Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Distributed Generation (DG) in IEEE 33-bus and IEEE 69-bus radial distribution networks (RDNs). A four-component Multi-Objective Function (MOF) minimizes: (i) total real power losses, (ii) voltage deviation index, (iii) annual economic cost, and (iv) carbon emission cost. Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) with 10,000 iterations captures stochastic EV charging demand and solar irradiance uncertainty. The Adaptive Inertia Weight (AIW) mechanism blends PSO global search with GWO leadership hierarchy via a cosine-based transition function. Simulation results on the IEEE 33-bus system achieve 77.8% power loss reduction, 92.3% voltage profile improvement, and 18.7% cost reduction compared to the unoptimized base case, outperforming GA, PSO, and standalone GWO algorithms with statistical significance (p 0.001, 30 independent runs). Index Terms—EVCS Optimal Placement, Hybrid PSO-GWO, Smart Distribution Network, Solar PV, V2G, Multi-Objective Optimization, Monte Carlo Simulation, IEEE 33-bus, IEEE 69-bus, Power Loss Minimization.

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Sustainability • 2026

The Carbon Generalized System of Preferences (CGSP), theoretically rooted in value co-creation, serves as a vital policy tool for household carbon mitigation, yet faces an awareness-behavior gap during implementation. In this study, theoretical and empirical analyses were conducted to reveal the dual-pathway mechanism underlying the residents’ participation in the CGSP. The findings demonstrate that the residents’ participation behavior is positively influenced by the two-way communication between government and residents, as well as the residents’ sense of responsibility. Specifically, these two factors can also enhance participation by fostering egoistic and altruistic values, respectively. Notably, face culture weakens the positive effects of both values on participation, which embodies the paradigm conflict between traditional cultural and modern environmental governance systems. Residents with higher work happiness and women demonstrate significantly higher participation rates. The findings yield three policy recommendations for enhancing CGSP participation and operational sustainability.

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Constitutionale • 2026

General elections are the primary mechanism for realizing popular sovereignty under the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. Constitutional Court Decision No. 135/PUU-XXII/2024 marks a major shift in electoral design by separating national and regional elections, departing from the simultaneous model affirmed in Decision No. 55/PUU-XVII/2019. Although final and binding, the ruling creates a normative void due to the absence of transitional provisions. This study analyzes the constitutional implications of this paradigm shift, examines its consistency with prior jurisprudence, and evaluates regulatory transition options to preserve legal certainty and democratic legitimacy. Using a normative juridical method with conceptual and statutory approaches, the research finds that the divergence between the two decisions weakens legal certainty and risks institutional disruption, electoral disputes, and declining public trust ahead of the 2029 election. The case highlights tensions in the Court’s evolving role and underscores the urgent need for legislative action to establish clear transitional regulations to safeguard electoral stability and democratic legitimacy.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

World Journal of Engineering • 2026

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the design and analysis of a dual-mover fault-tolerant permanent magnet linear Vernier generator (PMLVG) for wave energy conversion systems. The paper aims to address the growing need for reliable and sustainable marine energy solutions by developing a generator capable of continuous energy generation under both ideal and faulty conditions, including single-phase and two-phase electrical faults. Design/methodology/approach The proposed PMLVG is modeled and analyzed using finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate its electromagnetic behavior, analyze performance parameters and ensure fault-tolerant operation. Detailed simulations under normal and fault scenarios are conducted to evaluate the mechanical power, efficiency and thrust force characteristics of the proposed generator. Findings Under ideal conditions, the generator achieves 18.9 kW of mechanical power with an efficiency of 92.5% and a rated thrust force of 101, 160 N. During a single-phase fault, the generator maintains 14.68 kW power output with 96.3% efficiency, while under a two-phase fault, it delivers 3.42 kW power with 97% efficiency, demonstrating robust fault-tolerant capabilities. The improved efficiency under fault situations is primarily attributed to reduced copper losses at lower loads. Originality/value In the present research, a novel PMLVG topology with improved fault-tolerant characteristics has been presented for wave energy conversion systems. According to the research results, it is feasible for sustainable wave power generation because its design achieves high efficiency and reliable operation regardless of the presence of severe fault conditions.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Nature Communications • 2026

Abstract Given the escalating global demand for lithium resources, optimizing electric energy consumption in the electrochemical dual-oxidation (EDO) process, which includes both electrode oxidation and electrocatalytic oxidation, for lithium leaching from spent lithium-ion cathodes, is imperative. Herein, we propose an energy-effective two-stage continuous oxidation method for lithium leaching from various composition spent ternary lithium-ion batteries (NCM) cathodes. Coupling EDO (stage I) with soaking relaxation (stage II) enables both commercial and spent LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 (NCM111) cathodes to achieve optimal electric energy efficiencies, with lithium leaching efficiencies of 99.87% and 98.12%, respectively. A comprehensive mechanism study reveals that the EDO not only drives lithium leaching from NCM111 lattice at stage I, but also effectively induces the transformation of lattice oxygen (O 2- ) into oxidized lattice oxygen (O n- , n   2), thus driving the continuous lithium leaching at stage II with 49.78% reduction in electric energy consumption. This work unravels the electrical energy profile and structural dynamics during the EDO lithium leaching process, which paves the way for implementing the EDO method for the industrial sustainable recovery of critical metals.

Environmental research • 2026

Inorganic electron donors improve low C/N wastewater denitrification performance and management. This study used an integrated strategy combining proteomics, machine learning, and electron transfer system characterization to elucidate FeS's regulatory mechanisms on microbial denitrification during carbon source depletion. Monitoring results revealed significant differences in denitrification performance between two experimental groups (designated as CK and FD) during both carbon-available (Stage 1) and carbon-depleted (Stage 2) phases. Overall, the denitrification indicators (NO 3 - -N, NO 2 - -N, and TN) of the FD group significantly outperformed those of the CK group in Stage 2. The electron transport system activity (ETSA) in the FD group was consistently higher than that in the CK group. Electrochemical analysis further demonstrated higher electron exchange efficiency of microorganisms in the FD system. Morphology and elemental analysis indicated bacterial surface transformation in FD samples, characterized by significant membrane distortion and attachment of nanoparticles (NPs). Proteomics-driven random forest (RF) modeling identified stage-specific regulatory patterns of FeS, demonstrating distinct mechanistic signatures among differentially up-regulated proteins. Briefly, in Stage 1, bacteria mobilized proteins TenA and GtsB to efficiently utilize glucose, and fully exploiting periplasmic electrons through CYC, NapA, and NosD. In Stage 2, metabolic activities shifted toward conservation. Bacteria upregulated PhaZ to utilize limited endogenous carbon sources, captured more electron donors via the Fe 2+ channel opened by OmpU, and mobilized UbiH and NarG to optimize transmembrane electron transfer. These findings are pivotal for developing inorganic electron donor regulation strategies to maintain stable system performance in low C/N wastewater treatment processes.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2026

The urgent need for cost-effective and reliable environmental monitoring systems has sparked interest in developing innovative biosensing platforms. Among these, microbial photoelectrochemical biosensors, which leverage the unique properties of photosynthetic microorganisms, have emerged as promising tools for environmental analysis. This perspective examines recent advances in microbial photoelectrochemical biosensor technology, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of photosynthetic organisms and their integration with materials science. The current limitations in the implementation of microbial photoelectrochemical biosensors will be discussed, highlighting emerging solutions through nanomaterial integration and exploring how these biological systems can be engineered to detect environmental pollutants. Accordingly, a roadmap to transform these biological systems into practical environmental monitoring tools is presented, paving the way to unprecedented opportunities for the development of sustainable, sensitive, and targeted microbial biosensing platforms for real-world pollutant detection. To fully utilize the promise of these next-generation biosensing platforms, future research should concentrate on enhancing signal transduction and its stability over time, optimizing biointerface engineering, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration.

Journal of environmental management • 2026

Maintaining water quality in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) requires resilient pipe-wall interfaces, yet the build-up of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), the most common metals in DWDSs, often initiates deposit growth and triggers discoloration events. However, the physicochemical impacts of early Fe-Mn deposition on pipe-wall surfaces have not been systematically elucidated. To elucidate their mechanistic role in the onset of scale development, self-designed electrodes were employed to monitor the electrochemical behavior of cement mortar-lined pipe surfaces under controlled Fe-Mn dosing (50-200 μg/L Fe with 10 μg/L Mn). Results showed that a dosing condition of 100 μg/L Fe with 10 μg/L Mn produced compact and adherent deposits with high charge-transfer resistance (R ct  = 1.33 × 10 6  Ω) and low corrosion current density (i cor  = 3.68 × 10 -5  mA/cm 2 ). This condition was attributed to cohesive biofilms dominated by Pseudomonas with co-dominant Hydrogenophaga and Sphingomonas, which, through assimilation-centered carbon and nitrogen pathways, secreted abundant extracellular polymeric substances, associated with minimized particulate metal accumulation in bulk water. In contrast, excessive Fe input (200 μg/L) generated scale-like, metal-oxide-bearing deposits accompanied by elevated Fe-Al contents, reduced R ct  = 2.97 × 10 5  Ω, higher i cor  = 1.70 × 10 -4  mA/cm 2 and metabolically diverse but weakly coordinated microbial communities. These results demonstrate that Fe-Mn-regulated morphology-microbiome coupling shapes early-stage corrosion behavior and that appropriate Fe-Mn levels are essential for promoting stable deposits and supporting long-term drinking-water safety.

ADMET & DMPK • 2026

Monitoring antibiotic drugs in the environment is particularly relevant given their role in fostering microbial resistance, impacting aquatic species and human health. Therefore, this work addresses the lack of a sustainable and cost-effective analytical approach and reports the development of a competitive electrochemical immunosensor for the rapid analysis of trimethoprim (TMP), an aquatic contaminant of emerging concern, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods that are often costly and time-consuming.

Bioresource technology • 2026

The mechanism of enhancing N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) biodegradation by revealing the role of carboxyl groups (-COOH) on biochar filler was studied in this work. Biochar fillers with -COOH contents of 7.5 %, 0.9 %, and 13.3 % were prepared, and named BF, Br-BF, and H 2 O 2 -BF, respectively. The DMAC adsorption characteristics of the three fillers were performed via adsorption capacity, kinetics and stability. The results indicated that the -COOH content was positively correlated with the adsorption performance, and an adsorption capacity of 1.3 g/g was obtained by H 2 O 2 -BF which was 1.3 and 1.5 times higher than that of BF and Br-BF, respectively. The microbial growth and immobilization experiments were conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility and adhesion of fillers, suggesting that -COOH was conducive to the formation of biofilms. Subsequently, the removal efficiency, product distribution, carbon and nitrogen balances were compared among the three fillers, presenting that both microbial assimilation and dissimilation could be strengthened with the increase of the -COOH contents. Optimal biodegradation performance was achieved by H 2 O 2 -BF, and the corresponding DMAC and total nitrogen removal reached to 94.7 % and 87.8 % respectively. Additionally, the mechanism of DMAC biodegradation was investigated by exploring the variations of extracellular polymeric substance, electron transport system activity, electrochemical behavior, NADH, and enzyme activity. The results suggested that the presence of -COOH could enhance the mass transfer process of DMAC from liquid phase to filler surface, and accelerate the electron transfer process during DMAC conversion. The findings provide a framework for enhancing biodegradation performance by regulation of -COOH on filler.

Bioresource technology • 2026

The insufficient microbial degradation capacity of dissolved chlorobenzene in the reflux liquid restricts the further performance improvement of the biotrickling filter (BTF) for purifying organic exhaust. Here, electrical stimulation is used to stimulate the removal of dissolved chlorobenzene in reflux liquid in the combined system of microbial electrochemical system and BTF (MES-BTF), aiming to improve the degradation efficiency of chlorobenzene. The concentration of dissolved chlorobenzene in the reflux liquid decreases from 0.27 mg/L to 0.21 mg/L for 200 ppm chlorobenzene with the applied 1.6 V voltage. The integrated system achieves a maximum chlorobenzene removal efficiency (RE) of 68.71 % and a mineralization rate of 19.64 g/m 3 /h, representing an improvement of approximately 11.7 % over the control. Electrical stimulation provides an additional bioelectrochemical degradation pathway of chlorobenzene with the 3-chlorocatechol, 4-hydroxy-2-oxovalerate, and chlorohydroxybenzene as the intermediates. Bioanalysis in spatial distribution reveals the polysaccharides and Pseudomonadota spp. are crucial for the removal of chlorobenzene in the combined system. This study demonstrates an effective strategy to enhance the degradation of dissolved chlorobenzene and provides new insights for optimizing biotechnology for exhaust purification.

Bioresource technology • 2026

In this work, the inhibition of microplastics (MPs, 50 μm) and nanoplastics (NPs, 50 nm) on denitrification at biocathode in bioelectrochemical system (BES), and the alleviated of this inhibition on nitrogen metabolism using algal biochar (ABC) were investigated. With the addition of biochar, it was found that nitrate removal increased to 75.6 % in the NP-50-ABC group, significantly higher than the 51.2 % observed in the NP-50 group. First, biochar was found to mitigate oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, while maintaining extracellular polymer secretion and cell membrane integrity. Second, ABC also helped reshape microbial communities, enrich denitrifying bacteria, and enhance the abundance of key functional genes (napA, napB, norB, nosZ) and enzymes. Third, biochar stimulated pathways for the anabolic reduction of nitrate to ammonia, thereby synergistically removing nitrate through denitrification. These findings provide theoretical support for improving BES resilience against emerging pollutants.

Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) • 2026

Fermented alcoholic beverages are globally cherished for their diverse sensory profiles, shaped by complex microbial metabolism. Environmentally-driven microbial interactions play a significant role in regulating the synthesis of flavor metabolites. However, mechanisms linking environmental factors to microbial interactions and flavor formation are unclear, hindering the optimization of fermented alcoholic beverages. This work systematically discussed regulatory mechanisms by which microbial interactions govern flavor formation in environment-driven polymicrobial fermentation processes of alcoholic beverages. By integrating representative global fermented alcoholic beverages (e.g., Baijiu, Pulque, and grape wine), we elucidated the framework of Environmental factors-Microbial interactions-Flavor regulation, a dynamic coupling framework. This framework indicated that environmental factors drove microbial interactions, which in turn regulated flavor metabolism. Concurrently, flavor metabolites provided feedback to reshape the microenvironment, thereby forming a closed framework. Key findings were concluded: (i) environmental gradients (e.g., in temperature, oxygen, pH) shaped microbial interaction by modulating thermodynamic, electrochemical, and kinetic equilibria; (ii) these interactions directly orchestrated flavor metabolome assembly, where synergy enhanced target esters (e.g., ethyl hexanoate), competition balanced diversity, and antagonism suppressed off-flavors; (iii) flavor metabolites, in turn, provided feedback by chemically and physically reshaping the microenvironment (e.g., via acidification and ethanol-driven anaerobiosis); and (iv) cross-scale methodologies (multi-omics, computational modeling, IoT sensing) enabled deciphering the framework from cellular to community levels. The framework establishes a foundation for designing synthetic microbial consortia, enhancing starter culture robustness for stable flavor production, and guiding targeted flavor optimization.

Biotechnology advances • 2026

The persistence of toxic heavy metals in aquatic and terrestrial environments poses long-term risks to ecosystems and human health. Microbial bio-reductive immobilization driven by Extracellular Electron Transfer (EET) has emerged as a promising and environmentally sustainable remediation strategy. This review synthesizes recent advances in EET-driven bio-reduction of major heavy metals and critically evaluates enhancement strategies designed to overcome intrinsic limitations in electron transfer efficiency. Particular attention is given to engineering-oriented approaches, including conductive minerals and materials, exogenous electron shuttles, electrochemical and photochemical stimulation. Key findings highlight that rational EET enhancement can markedly improve bio-reduction efficiency of heavy metals. Future perspectives are discussed with a focus on green materials, bio-electrochemical system integration, genetic and community-level regulation, and scale-up considerations. Remaining challenges include material sustainability, genetic biosafety concerns, scalability and operational robustness. Overall, this review distills design-oriented insights that bridge EET-driven mechanisms with enhancement strategies toward robust and scalable heavy metal immobilization.

Journal of hazardous materials • 2026

Landfill leachate bio-treated effluent (LLBE) is characterized by high levels of chloride ions and complex organic pollutants with poor biodegradability. The use of electrochemical oxidation (EO) to the water sample can enhance its biodegradability. However, the generation of chlorinated disinfection by-products (Cl-DBPs) and residual free available chlorine (FAC) can pose risks to subsequent biological treatment processes. This study aims to propose a method based on H 2 O 2 regulation to convert the reactive species in the EO system from a FAC-dominated regime to a 1 O 2 -contributing regime, inhibiting the production of Cl-DBPs and eliminating FAC residues. After treatment by the EO system, the BOD 5 /COD ratio of the water sample increased from 0.15 to 0.49. Under the regulation of H 2 O 2 , the concentration of Cl-DBPs in the effluent of the EO system diminished from 14.02 mg/L to 2.88 mg/L, while the inhibition rate of luminous bacteria reduced from 95.97 % to 19.80 %. Moreover, sludge derived from the effluent of the EO system treated with H 2 O 2 exhibited superior performance and microbial community structure compared to sludge obtained from the original EO system effluent. It is proposed that H 2 O 2 undergoes a series of reactions within the EO system: electron transfer occurs at the electrode surface, generating free radicals such as HO 2 · and O 2 ·- . Free radical chain reactions and the rapid chemical reactions between H 2 O 2 and FAC are the two pathways through which 1 O 2 is produced. It indicated that EO treatment improved the biodegradability and the addition of H 2 O 2 reduced the biological toxicity of the effluent.

Water research • 2026

Anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS) into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is a promising valorization strategy, yet it is often constrained by inefficient hydrolysis and the presence of contaminants. This study reports a synergistic electrochemical activation coupling a boron-doped diamond anode (BDD) with peroxymonosulfate (PMS), i.e., B/P, which enhances SCFA production and pollutant degradation. The integrated B/P system achieved a maximal SCFA yield, which was 2.0-fold higher than the control and significantly surpassed mono-pretreatments (BDD, PMS) and their sequential combination (B + P). Furthermore, it optimized product composition, increasing the proportion of high-value acetic acid by 2.7-fold. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the electrochemical synergy generated reactive species (e.g., •OH, SO 4 •⁻, 1 O 2 ), which profoundly accelerated sludge solubilization (supported by 10.7 times of SCOD produced by B/P relative to the sum of SCOD by mono-BDD and mono-PMS). Microbial analysis demonstrated that B/P pretreatment restructured the community to enrich key hydrolytic and acidogenic phyla. This was corroborated by the upregulation of genes associated with carbohydrate hydrolysis and acidogenesis, alongside the suppression of methanogenesis. Beyond SCFA enhancement, the B/P system also improved sludge dewaterability (24 % reduction in capillary suction time), efficient removal of sulfamethoxazole (62.7 %), and substantially transferred heavy metals from the sludge solids into the liquid phase (e.g., 71.8 % of total Cu was transferred from the solid phase to the supernatant). These findings highlight the B/P process as a multifunctional pretreatment for efficient sludge bioconversion, pollutant removal, and environmental risk mitigation.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English) • 2026

Selective C-H functionalization remains a central challenge in modern synthesis as it enables direct diversification of molecular scaffolds without pre-functionalization. Peroxygenases, including both unspecific peroxygenases and P450 peroxygenases, offer a biocatalytic solution to this challenge, catalyzing oxyfunctionalization reactions in aqueous media under mild conditions with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) as the sole oxidant. In this review, we highlight recent advances in peroxygenase engineering over the past five years, with a particular focus on strategies that enhance heterologous expression, catalytic activity, and control of regio- and enantioselectivity. We also discuss protein engineering approaches that mitigate H 2 O 2 -induced inactivation and summarize efforts to repurpose NADPH-dependent P450 enzymes into self-sufficient peroxygenases, thereby expanding their catalytic repertoire. Furthermore, we examine the integration of peroxygenases with in situ H 2 O 2 generation systems by enzymatic, chemical, photocatalytic, and electrochemical methods to achieve balanced oxidant delivery and sustained turnover. Collectively, these developments have established peroxygenases as versatile and robust catalysts for selective C-H functionalization, opening new opportunities for their application in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and agrochemicals.

Research (Washington, D.C.) • 2026

The poultry industry faces major challenges in preserving meat freshness and safety due to high water activity, rapid microbial growth, and oxidative spoilage. Traditional methods such as vacuum sealing and antioxidants are insufficient, as they cannot effectively suppress anaerobic pathogens and lack real-time freshness assessment. This review introduces a transformative strategy that applies coordination chemistry to design multifunctional nanomaterials for poultry preservation. Dynamic metal-ligand interactions-including redox-active centers, stimuli-responsive bonds, and host-guest adsorption-allow precise antibacterial control through 4 mechanisms: ligand-regulated ion release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, coordination-triggered antimicrobial delivery, and electrostatic membrane disruption. In addition, freshness can be monitored by biomarker-specific coordination responses, such as nanoparticle aggregation for optical signals or MOF (metal-organic framework)-based volatile amine capture for colorimetric and electrochemical detection. Integration with oxygen scavengers, humidity regulators, and pH-responsive systems optimizes the packaging environment. Coupling with digital technologies further enables intelligent platforms for autonomous quality validation and supply chain transparency. This approach connects molecular-scale coordination principles with engineering practice while addressing biodegradability, environmental resilience, and scalability to reduce waste and achieve sustainable poultry preservation.

Environmental research • 2026

Frequently abrupt temperature shifts driven by global climate change significantly disrupt carbon sequestration and CO 2 emissions in wetland ecosystems. The condition has raised an important question to clarify ambiguity in the regulatory mechanism of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from some of the world's ecologically important large river floodplain wetland systems. This study investigated how abrupt temperature changes could modulate GHG emissions from surface sediments of the China's Yangtze River floodplain wetlands (YRW). A microcosm experiment was conducted in YRW with four temperature treatments: control (20 °C), abrupt cooling (8 °C), abrupt heating (32 °C), and abrupt heating followed by cooling (32 °C to 8 °C) by simulating the latest daily temperature fluctuations (≥12 °C) in the region. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition was analyzed in each treatment using the three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy followed by the measurement of concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total carbon (TC), and total nitrogen (TN) using a TOC analyzer. DOM redox properties were then evaluated through mediated electrochemical techniques. Our results showed that the abrupt heating increased CO 2 emissions, while heating followed by cooling suppressed CO 2 emissions but significantly increased CH 4 emissions. These responses were clearly linked to changes in the carbon concentration and DOM composition in YRW. Specifically, the abrupt heating may have enriched microbial-derived fulvic acid and increased DOC levels, enhancing the electron-accepting capacity (EAC) of DOM by 40-60 %. Fluorescence spectroscopy measurement showed a 12-30 % increase in microbial-derived DOM components under heating. These results demonstrate that temperature-induced alterations in the DOM structure and redox reactivity in large river floodplain wetland sediments strongly regulate GHG fluxes of both CO 2 and CH 4 , providing an important insight into carbon cycling and help developing improved wetland management strategies under climatic warming in YRW.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) • 2026

Bioelectrochemical systems interconvert electrical and chemical energy using living microorganisms, but their efficiency remains limited by slow electron exchange across abiotic-biotic interfaces. Herein, a spontaneous n-doped water-dispersible conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE), PNB, is developed. The CPE self-assembles on the surface of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to create biocompatible coatings that accelerate inward extracellular electron transfer. PNB is obtained via an aldol condensation reaction and is described by an acceptor-acceptor π-conjugated backbone bearing quaternary ammonium side chains. This molecular architecture enables stable n-doping in aqueous media and a broad reduction potential window. When integrated as a cathodic interlayer, PNB-S. oneidensis biohybrids exhibit a 14-fold enhancement in electron injection and a 4-fold increase in electro-driven succinate production, compared to unmodified cells. Single-cell electrochemical mapping confirms faster, more efficient per-cell electron influx. These findings demonstrate that n-type CPEs can bridge external electrodes with cellular metabolisms, opening a material-based route to high-performance bioelectronic and electrosynthetic systems. By enabling more facile charge transfer between synthetic semiconductors and living catalysts, this work establishes a soft materials-driven framework for designing electronically coupled microbial systems with potential to advance sustainable bioelectronic technologies.

Biosensors • 2026

Quantifying microbial growth with high temporal resolution remains essential yet challenging due to limitations of optical, manual, and biochemical methods. Here, we introduce an AI-enhanced electrochemical impedance spectroscopy platform for real-time, label-free monitoring of Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth. Broadband impedance measurements (1 Hz-100 kHz) were collected from yeast cultures across log-phase development. Engineered features-derived from impedance magnitude and phase-captured dielectric and conductive shifts associated with cell proliferation, membrane polarization, and ionic redistribution. A Gaussian Process Regression model trained on these features predicted optical density (OD600) with high precision (RMSE = 0.79 min; R 2 = 0.9996; r = 0.9998), and achieved 100% classification accuracy when discretized into 15-min growth intervals. The system operated with sub-millisecond latency and minimal memory footprint, enabling embedded deployment. Benchmarking against conventional methods revealed superior throughput, automation potential, and independence from labeling or turbidity-based optics. This AI-driven platform forms the core of a real-time digital twin for yeast culture monitoring, capable of predictive tracking and adaptive control. By fusing electrochemical biosensing with machine learning, our method offers a scalable and robust solution for intelligent fermentation and bioprocess optimization.

Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) • 2026

The widespread presence of pathogenic microorganisms in food and environmental sources poses a persistent threat to public health. Conventional detection methods-including culture, microscopy, and biochemical assays-are limited by low sensitivity, cross-reactivity, and prolonged turnaround times, particularly when microbial loads are low or phenotypic overlap occurs. These limitations underscore the urgent need for diagnostic platforms that combine speed, specificity, and sensitivity. The advent of CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated) systems has revolutionized microbial diagnostics, driving the emergence of electrochemical CRISPR/Cas (EC-CRISPR/Cas) biosensors. This review surveys four principal electrochemical CRISPR/Cas (EC-CRISPR/Cas) platforms-Cas9, Cas12a, Cas13a, and Cas14a-emphasizing their structural characteristics, biosensing mechanisms, and signal amplification strategies for both nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid pathogen detection. We first outline the molecular architecture and functional mechanisms of each Cas protein in the context of biosensing. EC-CRISPR/Cas detection strategies are classified as nucleic acid-based (either amplification-free or amplification-dependent) or non-nucleic acid-based, the latter primarily relying on aptamer-mediated recognition. We also provide a comparative analysis of signal enhancement techniques and application scenarios across bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. Importantly, we identify key limitations of current systems-such as poor reusability, signal drift, and challenges in point-of-care deployment-and present emerging solutions including crRNA engineering, nanomaterial integration, and artificial intelligence-guided biosensor design. These innovations hold strong potential to enhance sensitivity, specificity, and real-time performance, offering a foundation for next-generation, scalable EC-CRISPR/Cas diagnostics.

Current opinion in biotechnology • 2026

Microbes regulate their dynamic behaviors using the chemical and physical characteristics of their environment. The ability of microbes to continuously convert this physicochemical information into biochemical information and to use organic matter in the environment as a power source makes these organisms attractive as chassis for building sensors. However, most biosensors have severe limitations when considering applications in hard-to-image settings like soils, sediments, and wastewater. Emerging technologies at the interface of biomolecular design, microbiome engineering, and synthetic biology offer new tools to program cells and communities as biosensors for these settings. In this review, we describe innovations in biosensor outputs that are enabling new applications in complex environments, including reporters that are read out using electrochemical, gas chromatography, hyperspectral imaging, and next-generation sequencing methods. We also discuss computational advances that are accelerating the diversification of sensing components by mining metagenomics data for new transcriptional regulators and by designing allosteric protein switches that directly regulate reporter outputs using analytes. We highlight emerging opportunities for programming undomesticated microbes in communities to function as distributed sensors in the environment. Finally, we discuss the need for responsible biosensor development and to modernize regulatory frameworks to support evidence-based assessment of environmental biosensors.

Journal of microbiological methods • 2026

Pharmaceutical water is a crucial component in drug manufacturing, as its quality directly affects drug safety and efficacy. This study focuses on membrane biofouling in pharmaceutical water systems during downtime, revealing its unique formation mechanisms: abrupt decreases in flow rate, reduced dissolved oxygen, and nutrient accumulation collectively create favourable conditions for microbial colonization. Biofilm formation not only causes a decline in membrane flux and an increase in transmembrane pressure but may also release harmful substances, such as endotoxins, posing a severe threat to water quality. The study systematically reviews existing control technologies, encompassing conventional methods such as chemical cleaning and backflushing, as well as innovative approaches including electrochemical treatment and cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) technology. Furthermore, this paper prospectively explores future research directions, such as the development of green antifouling agents and the application of intelligent monitoring technologies, providing a scientific basis and technical support for achieving water safety and sustainable development in the pharmaceutical industry.

Water research • 2026

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) serves as an effective electron donor to enhance anaerobic methanogenesis, yet its high reducibility often induces microbial nanotoxicity, creating a fundamental conflict between reactivity and biocompatibility. Herein, we synthesized an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)-modified nZVI bio-composite (nZVI@EPS) via one-step liquid-phase reduction, with a focus on the structural characteristics and functional interplay of its core-shell architecture in bio-nano systems. We found that EPS decelerated precursor reduction kinetics, suppressing supersaturation-induced crystallization and favoring the formation of an amorphous iron core with elongated Fe-Fe bonds that enhanced its thermodynamic driving force for electron donation. Simultaneously, the resulting EPS layer served as a biocompatible and pseudocapacitive biointerface, physically shielding microorganisms from direct contact and electrochemically buffering electron surge from the highly reductive iron core through a storage and controlled-release mechanism. Hydrogen evolution experiments confirmed that the amorphous core ensured sufficient electron supply, while the EPS biointerface merely regulated the electron release kinetics without sacrificing ultimate utilization efficiency. In the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge, the optimized core-interface synergistically enhanced methane yield and biogas purity by 31.11 % and 37.42 %, respectively. Such improvements were underpinned by enhanced enzymatic activities, reinforced energy conservation, and a redirected methanogenic metabolic flux toward the hydrogenotrophic pathway. This study leverages insights from iron core-interface functional decoupling to propose a synchronized optimization strategy, establishing a universal design framework for engineering nZVI materials that integrate high reactivity with biocompatibility for efficient waste-to-energy conversion.

Talanta • 2026

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) as emerging pollutants present substantial risks to both the environment and human health. Developing highly sensitive methods to rapidly identify and detect low concentrations of MNPs in complex systems remains a considerable challenge. Here, an "off-on" switch-type photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor was employed for the sensitive detection of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) MNPs. This PEC aptasensor was based on a two-dimensional organic-inorganic Z-scheme heterojunction and utilized an acetylferrocene-modified aptamer (Apt-AcFc) as PEC recognition and quencher probes. In general, combining Apt-AcFc with the photoelectrode efficiently quenches the photocurrent, transitioning it to the 'off' state. Conversely, the presence of MNPs greatly increases the photocurrent because the MNPs were specifically recognized by Apt-AcFc, causing Apt-AcFc detaching from the photoelectrode and transition to the 'on' state. The developed PEC aptasensor was employed for the detection of MNPs released from food packaging materials. Although the aptasensor displayed distinct sensitivities toward PVC and PS, it demonstrated a consistent linear dynamic range of 1-200 μg mL -1 and a low detection limit of 0.1 μg mL -1 . This switching-type PEC aptasensor provides a rapid, sensitive, and reliable analytical platform for the determination of MNPs in food and environmental matrices.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2026

A stable nanofluid containing ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and a plant-based surfactant, soapnut, was synthesized and its composite nature established by thermogravimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses. Its effectiveness as a microbially induced corrosion (MIC) inhibitor was investigated. Gravimetric and electrochemical techniques-potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, revealed a reduction in corrosion rates (from 31.63 to 1.17 mils/year), achieving an inhibition efficiency of up to 97% at a low nanofluid concentration of 4 vol%. Both the components- ZnO NPs and the soapnut extract (SN) exhibited pronounced bactericidal activity, leading to effective suppression of biofilm formation, as confirmed by biofilm inhibition assays (78%) and confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging. The amphiphilic nature of SN, together with the high surface availability of ZnO NPs, enhanced inhibitor adsorption on the metal surface which was supported by adsorption studies and surface analyses- field-emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDX. In the synthesized composite, SN acting as a ligand, prevented aggregation of ZnO NPs and thereby improved surface coverage and stability. Overall, the synergistic interaction between SN and ZnO NPs produced an environmentally benign nanofluid with strong potential for mitigating MIC in petrochemical pipeline systems.

Journal of environmental management • 2026

Sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SADN) process is cost-effective and carbon-free for treating nitrate-containing wastewater, but the salt in industrial and municipal (coastal cities) wastewaters typically affects its stability. To address this challenge, an in-depth understanding of the inhibitory mechanisms of salt stress on functional bacteria (denitrifying sulfur-oxidizers) in the SADN process is crucial. By comparing the existing research on the SADN process for saline wastewater treatment, this review identifies the heuristic salinity reference points (i.e., causing irreversible inhibition) of 3.1%-4.8% for the SADN process based on the micro and macro response characteristics. Low salinity levels (0.1%-2.0%) stimulate the SADN process by intensifying the metabolic activity of the salt-tolerant denitrifying sulfur-oxidizers and microbial interactions. In high salinity scenarios, a range of 2.0% to 3.1% or 4.8% (reference points) causes transient inhibition, while salinity exceeding approximate 3.1%-4.8% results in severe inhibition (difficult to recover within a short-term of 8-20 days). High salinity scenario leads to diminished microbial activity, reduced relative abundance of salt-tolerant functional bacteria, and superimposed stress from by-products (nitrite and sulfate), thereby blocking the nitrate removal. Moreover, this review discusses three effective strategies (e.g., addition of exogenous regulators, integration of heterotrophic denitrification, and bio-electrochemical enhancement) for alleviating SADN salt stress and their underlying mitigation mechanisms. Lastly, further research directions on electron transfer response mechanisms and interdisciplinary disinhibition strategies are proposed to broaden the applicability of SADN systems for saline wastewater treatment. This review expands the knowledge of salt inhibitory mechanisms on denitrifying sulfur-oxidizers and provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing SADN systems in saline wastewater treatment.

American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology • 2026

The intestinal epithelium is a key component of the intestinal barrier, which is the largest and most complex barrier of the human body, regulating nutrients absorption while restricting the entry of harmful antigens. Breakdown of this barrier facilitates microbial and dietary antigenic translocation, triggering local immune system activation and inflammation. Although barrier alterations alone may not be sufficient to initiate disease, accumulating evidence highlights its critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of a wide range of gastrointestinal and systemic disorders. Early identification of intestinal epithelium and barrier alterations could enable timely therapeutic approaches. This systematic review provides an overview of current in vivo (both non-invasive and invasive) and ex vivo/in vitro approaches used to assess intestinal epithelial barrier alterations. Non-invasive in vivo approaches rely mainly on urinary detection of orally ingested probes, but their clinical utility is limited by lack of standardization and specificity. Circulating and fecal constitutive markers derived from the intestinal barrier, which reflect epithelial alterations, together with indicators of microbial translocation, provide complementary insights but remain insufficiently validated. Advanced invasive endoscopic modalities such as confocal laser endomicroscopy enable near-histologic, real-time visualization but are costly and largely used as research tools in specialist centers. In vitro, transepithelial electrical resistance assessment remains the reference standard, though novel technologies (including impedance spectroscopy and organic electrochemical transistors) offer enhanced sensitivity and resolution. Despite progress, major gaps remain, including the absence of a standardized definition of epithelial barrier breakdown, the lack of a practical diagnostic tool, methodological heterogeneity, unvalidated thresholds, and limited prospective validation.

Bioresource technology • 2026

Electric field intensity-driven aerobic composting is an effective method for recovering organic solid waste resources and degrading refractory perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Although electric fields alter the compost microenvironment to overcome natural composting limitations, the mechanism underlying cathode-anode differentiation regulation of microbial metabolic networks to synergistically drive PFOA degradation and humus formation remains unclear. In this study, aerobic composting systems operating at 0, 5, and 10 V were established. High-throughput sequencing and electrochemical analyses were used to test the hypothesis that an exogenous electric field induces spatial redox microenvironment differentiation, guides microbial functional divergence, and enhances synergistic humus synthesis and pollutant removal. The reductive microenvironment of the cathode favored humus synthesis-related genera, facilitating humus accumulation and stabilization through the shikimic acid metabolic pathway. The 10 V treatment significantly increased the humus accumulation (55.61 %) compared with the control. The oxidative microenvironment of the anode specifically enriched denitrifying genera, which facilitated PFOA degradation using highly active intermediates. The anode region under 10 V treatment exhibited the optimal pollutant removal efficiency and a high PFOA removal rate of approximately 98.55 %. In addition, the electric field enhanced microbial synergy, shifted communities from competition to cooperation, and finally formed a "cathode synthesis-anode degradation" synergistic network. This study elucidates the role of "redox microenvironmental differentiation" in regulating microbial community functions in electric field-driven aerobic composting and provides a novel strategy for developing synergistic technologies for organic waste recycling and refractory pollutant removal.

Bioresource technology • 2026

Microbial electrochemical sensors based on electroactive biofilms (EABs) offer a promising approach for real-time biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) monitoring. However, current standardized EAB designs, developed based on studies of acetate-fed systems, feature a double-layer biofilm architecture with Geobacter anodireducens as the inner core, which oversimplifies microbial metabolism in fermentable wastewater and often leads to underestimated BOD values. In natural EABs cultured with domestic wastewater, we revealed a specific, selective metabolic cooperation between Geobacter and fermentative microorganisms, where different fermentative taxa preferentially associated with electroactive or methanogenic partners. Using glucose-fed EABs, Dysgonomonas termitidis was identified within the inner layer as a representative fermentative partner exhibiting strong synergy with Geobacter. Based on this, a layered "sandwich-like" EAB (S-EAB) was constructed, sequentially comprising G. anodireducens, pre-enriched D. termitidis and self-adapted environmental microorganisms. Incorporating this intermediate functional layer improved BOD sensing accuracy for glucose by 28%, with results closely matching theoretical values. This study demonstrates that integrating a selectively cooperative fermentative partner within the middle biofilm layer provides a practical strategy for designing high-performance EABs tailored to fermentable wastewater.

Journal of hazardous materials • 2026

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) offer promising solutions for remediating halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) in soil-water matrices. However, their practical efficiency is often constrained by inefficient "last nanometer" electron transfer from electrodes to reductive dehalogenases. Current understanding remains limited by reliance on functional resolution of microbial communities at the strain level, and insufficient understanding of electron flux allocation among competing metabolic pathways. This review introduces a conceptual framework of "Microbial Electrochemical Synergy", which systematically deciphers BESs performance through three dimensions: electron flow efficiency, functional microbial niche partitioning, and interfacial microenvironment characteristics. We revealed that: (1) the electrode-biofilm interface represents a critical rate-limiting step; (2) electron flux diversion to competing pathways (e.g., methanogenesis) significantly affects dehalogenation efficiency; and (3) interfacial microenvironment engineering holds untapped potential for enhancing microbial synergy and electron transfer. The unique value of this review lies in proposing an integrative mechanistic framework that synergizes machine learning, multi-omics, and synthetic biology tools to enable rational design and precise regulation of next-generation BES technologies. By bridging fundamental mechanisms with practical applications, this work aims to enhance the scalability and sustainability of BES-based strategies for enhanced HOPs remediation in complex soil-water matrices.

Journal of nanobiotechnology • 2026

Bacterial biofilms employ complex electrochemical communication networks, primarily mediated through extracellular electron transfer (EET) and ion channel-dependent signaling, to coordinate metabolic activities and collective behaviors. Recent advances in nanotechnology have unveiled the potential of nanomaterials as novel modulators of these electrochemical networks. This review systematically examines the mechanisms by which nanomaterials modulate electrochemical communication in biofilms, with a particular focus on two principal pathways: (1) redox-driven electron transfer and (2) ion channel-mediated signal transduction. In addition, this article also summarizes the applications of biofilm electrochemistry, from energy harvesting, anti-biofilm therapeutics, agricultural practices, to synthetic biological systems, thereby underscoring the translational potential of nanomaterial-mediated electrochemical regulation. Finally, this review analyzes the key factors influencing these interactions, including the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials (composition, surface charge, size, etc.), the heterogeneity of biofilm architecture (e.g., bacterial species), and environmental variables (pH, temperature, light, etc.). Emerging evidence suggests that nanomaterials can program multispecies biofilm architectures and enable dynamic modulation of microbial communities by manipulating interspecies electrochemical dialogues. Nonetheless, critical challenges remain, such as the identification of key molecular players, the elucidation of dynamic regulatory mechanisms, and the optimization of nanomaterial properties. Future directions highlight the decoding of electrochemical signaling codes, deeper insights into host-microbe electrochemical dialogues, and the use of biofilm "electro-intelligence" to develop next-generation biotechnologies. Overall, this review provides new perspectives for advancing research on electrochemical communication in biofilms and its sustainable applications in health, energy, and the environment.

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PLOS One • 2026

Stem cells maintain tissue integrity through a balance of self-renewal, differentiation, and loss of function due to aging or stress. Recent studies demonstrate that the stem cell hierarchy is not fixed. Transit-amplifying or terminally differentiated cells can dedifferentiate back into stem-like states. Such plasticity supports regeneration but, when combined with damage accumulation, may also accelerate aging and increase cancer risk. Motivated by these findings, we develop a damage-structured PDE model of a two-compartment lineage consisting of stem and terminally differentiated cells. The model incorporates dedifferentiation, together with a nonlocal δ -function kernel partitioning scheme that conserves total damage and encodes biologically motivated asymmetries. Methodologically, we emphasize reproducibility and robustness on three fronts. First, the δ -kernel partitioning prevents the unbounded drift that arises in local models while preserving conservation. Second, a conservative finite-volume discretization with upwind fluxes and verified first-order accuracy ensures stability and exact mass balance, as confirmed by manufactured-solution tests. Third, distributional metrics and systematic parameter sweeps provide reproducible ways to quantify lineage-level damage dynamics under varying dedifferentiation and repair conditions. These analyses show that threshold-dependent and repair-modulated dedifferentiation both act as protective mechanisms: the former functions as a ‘detoxification loop’ that recycles high-damage cells, and the latter reduces the damage burden imported during dedifferentiation. Together, they mitigate aging-inducing effects. Parameter sweeps further delineate when dedifferentiation stabilizes tissue maintenance versus when it drives aging-like dynamics. Overall, our reproducible framework integrates biological insights on stem-cell plasticity and damage segregation with rigorous mathematical modeling, providing a foundation for experimental validation and therapeutic strategies targeting stem-cell aging and cancer initiation.

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bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) • 2026

Genetic diversity within sexually reproducing species arises via the formation and repair of programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) created by the evolutionarily conserved topoisomerase-like enzyme, Spo11. Because DSBs threaten genome stability, their formation is tightly regulated in both space and time. In S. cerevisiae, Tel1, the orthologue of mammalian Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) kinase, suppresses nearby DSB formation through local inhibition known as DSB interference. However, whether such local inhibition reshapes the genome-wide DSB landscape remains unclear. Here, we develop a quantitative simulation framework to model how Tel1-mediated feedback shapes Spo11-DSB formation across the yeast genome. We demonstrate that innate chromosome-specific DSB patterns, when combined with interference, generate complex, population-level redistribution of DSBs. We define the spatial range over which interference propagates and provide evidence that this regulatory mechanism requires Tel1 recruitment to DSBs via Xrs2 and Tel1 kinase activity. Although the pro-DSB factor Rec114 contributes to DSB regulation, mutation of potential Rec114 phosphorylation sites indicates that it is not an essential target of Tel1. Together, these findings demonstrate how localised negative feedback can drive broad-scale, emergent patterning of a fundamental genome-modifying process, with the potential in meiosis to influence recombination initiation and, consequently, genetic variation across generations.

Bioresource technology • 2025

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) face challenges in hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) remediation due to inefficient extracellular electron transfer (EET), slow biofilm formation, and uranium toxicity. This study developed a cobalt nanoparticles and nitrogen-co-doped carbon (CoNPs/NC) modified biocathode to address these limitations. Material characterization, electrochemical analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that CoNPs/NC enhances biocathode conductivity and promotes EET efficiency while alleviating the toxic inhibition of uranium on microorganisms. The confinement effect facilitates electron delocalization, accelerating electron transfer to adsorbed uranyl ions (UO 2 2+ ) and driving U(VI) to tetravalent uranium (U(IV)) reduction. By optimizing electrode-microbe interactions, CoNPs/NC improves biofilm stability and uranium recovery efficiency. This work provides a novel strategy to synchronize uranium detoxification with sustainable resource recovery in contaminated water systems through nanomaterial-driven electron transfer enhancement.

Water research • 2025

This study investigated the potential of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) in enhancing arsenic (As) sequestration in sulfur-rich sediments through submerged aquatic plant Vallisneria natans (V. natans). A mechanism entailing bioelectrogenesis-driven sulfur oxidation, which facilitated root iron plaque (IP) formation and As oxidation, was proposed. A 125-day microcosm study was conducted using coupled plant-BES configurations, comprising: a microbial fuel cell (MFC), microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) with voltage gradients, and V. natans. Results showed that As accumulation and enrichment efficiency in IPs increased proportionally with applied voltage. Electrogenesis enhanced IP development, with MECs outperforming the MFC. Rhizospheric phosphorus deficiency in MFC stimulated radial oxygen loss (ROL) and microbial Fe 2+ oxidation for IP formation. In MECs, enhanced endogenous Fe 2+ availability and reduction in ΣH 2 S concentrations collectively facilitated IP development. As oxidation in MFC was significantly amplified within the rhizosphere by As-oxidizing microorganisms. Sulfite (SO 3 2- ), a metabolite of sulfur oxidation, was electrochemically activated in MECs to generate sulfite radicals (SO 3 •- ), demonstrating superior As oxidation efficacy compared to MFC. Metagenomic analysis revealed extracellular electron transfer (EET) efficiency dictated the sulfur oxidation pathway. MFC exhibited FeS 2 -dominated oxidation with terminal S 0 and intermediate S 2 O 3 2- formation, suppressing ΣH 2 S elimination. MECs displayed insufficient EET, driving ΣH 2 S oxidation, FeS consumption, and SO 3 2- accumulation. Intracellular sulfur oxidation pathways differed between systems: the rDsr pathway dominated in MFC, while Hdr process prevailed in MECs. Anode-associated keystone genera responsible for sulfur oxidation were Thiobacillus and Pseudomonas in MFC and MECs, respectively. Iron-oxidizing Collimonas and As oxidizing Halomonas/Acinetobacter were crucial for mediating IP formation and As oxidization, respectively in MFC. These findings demonstrate that BESs are effective tools for augmenting As sequestration by submerged aquatic plants. This investigation establishes foundational insights for practical implementation of integrated plant-BESs in As-contaminated sediment remediation strategies.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2025

Bioelectrochemical systems enable the recovery of ammonium from wastewater with low energy requirements and as a concentrated nitrogen-rich stream. This work aims to thoroughly investigate different cathodic electrode configurations and to optimize the operational conditions for active ammonium recovery from synthetic wastewater as concentrated ammonium sulphate. Different applied current intensities (50 mA, corresponding to 5 A m -2 , and 75 mA, corresponding to 7.5 A m -2 ) and initial ammonium concentrations (between 0.3 and 3 g L -1  N-NH 4 + ) were tested in an abiotic electrochemical system to understand the upper threshold of the used three-chamber configuration with hydrophobic membrane in terms of ammonium recovery rate (R rec ). With an external current of 75 mA, the highest value was 55 gN-NH 4 + m -2 d -1 when removing 97 % from an initial ammonium concentration of 3 g L -1 . Bioelectrochemical ammonium removal/recovery was evaluated under different applied potentials (0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4 V) using two configurations: a Nickel-based gas diffusion electrode (GDE) and a configuration with the cathode (stainless steel or nickel foam) physically separated from the hydrophobic membrane. The highest removal rate (R rem ) (21 gN-NH 4 + m -2 d -1 ) was exhibited for stainless steel cathode at 1.4 V mainly due to its higher current density, which increased the cations migration. This higher R rem also led to a higher R rec (17 gN-NH 4 + m -2 d -1 ).

Nano-micro letters • 2025

Designing high-performance electrocatalysts is one of the key challenges in the development of microbial electrochemical hydrogen production. Transition metal-based (TM-based) electrocatalysts are introduced as an astonishing alternative for future catalysts by addressing several disadvantages, like the high cost and low performance of noble metal and metal-free electrocatalysts, respectively. In this critical review, a comprehensive analysis of the major development of all families of TM-based catalysts from the beginning development of microbial electrolysis cells in the last 15 years is presented. Importantly, pivotal design parameters such as selecting efficient synthesis methods based on the type of material, main criteria during each synthesizing method, and the pros and cons of various procedures are highlighted and compared. Moreover, procedures for tuning and tailoring the structures, advanced strategies to promote active sites, and the potential for implementing novel unexplored TM-based hybrid structures suggested. Furthermore, consideration for large-scale application of TM-based catalysts for future mass production, including life cycle assessment, cost assessment, economic analysis, and recently pilot-scale studies were highlighted. Of great importance, the potential of utilizing artificial intelligence and advanced computational methods such as active learning, microkinetic modeling, and physics-informed machine learning in designing high-performance electrodes in successful practices was elucidated. Finally, a conceptual framework for future studies and remaining challenges on different aspects of TM-based electrocatalysts in microbial electrolysis cells is proposed.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2025

Advancement of bioelectrochemical technology depends on efficient screening and enriching of electroactive microorganisms. Yet, conventional methods based on microbial fuel cells or microbial electrolysis cell operation suffer from prolonged operation or false negative results. We propose an anode potential control strategy-periodic step (PS) polarization-for application in screening and enriching electroactive microorganisms from environmental samples. Using fixed potential mode as a control, the performance of PS polarization was examined regarding the start-up time, cultivation duration of three fed-batch cycles, Coulombic efficiency, microbial community composition, and electrochemical properties of biofilms. Electrolysis cells were inoculated by either soil microorganisms or activated sludge. Results demonstrated that the PS polarization significantly shortened the start-up time and duration of the first three cultivation cycles (7-70 days depending on the inoculum) while achieving higher apparent current density and Coulombic efficiency. Besides, the enriched microbial communities under PS polarization showed a higher relative abundance of known electroactive microorganisms. Together with the lower open circuit potential and charge transfer resistance of the biofilm enriched by PS polarization, we concluded that the PS polarization can mitigate the inefficiencies caused by conventional enrichment methods, avoiding trial and error, and can be a novel methodology for enriching electroactive microorganisms.