Review Received: 27 November 2024 Revised: 22 March 2025 Published online in Wiley Online Library: (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI 10.1002/jctb.7895 Exploring innovations and trends in microbial fuel cells using TRIZ patent literature review Zulhasni Abdul Rahim, a * Muhammad Saqib Iqbal b and Nooh Abu Bakar c Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a transformative technology at the intersection of wastewater treatment and renewable energy, offering a sustainable pathway to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 6 (clean water and sanitation) and 7 (afford- able and clean energy). Despite significant advancements, scaling up MFCs for industrial application remains challenging due to efficiency limitations, biofilm stability and material performance. This study employs the TRIZ patent literature review (TRIZ-PLR) methodology to systematically analyze 1513 active patents related to MFC innovations, identifying key technolog- ical contradictions and evolutionary trends. The research highlights advancements in nanomaterials, multichamber reactor configurations and optimized flow dynamics as critical enablers for enhancing power output and microbial activity. Unlike con- ventional reviews, this study provides a structured, patent-based innovation roadmap, offering actionable insights for researchers and industry stakeholders. By bridging academic research with industrial applicability, our findings inform scalable MFC integration into circular economy frameworks, reinforcing their potential for sustainable energy production and waste management. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). Keywords: microbial fuel cells (MFCs); nanomaterial; sustainable energy generation; TRIZ-PLR; wastewater treatment ENERGY GENERATION OF MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) 1-3 represent an emerging and transfor- mative technology that bridges biological innovation and chemi- cal engineering, addressing critical environmental and industrial challenges. By converting organic waste into direct electrical energy through microbial metabolism, MFCs provide a dual ben- efit: they serve as a sustainable energy source while offering advanced solutions for wastewater treatment. 4 These dual func- tionalities not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mini- mize chemical oxygen demand in wastewater, but also enhance the economic viability of waste management processes. 5 As such, MFCs biodegrade organic matter from sewage and generate bio- electricity simultaneously, significantly contributing to environ- mental sustainability and the achievement of global sustainable development goals in renewable energy and clean water resources. 6 Recent advancements in MFC technology have leveraged nano- materials to improve system performance. Incorporating carbon nanotubes, graphitic carbon nitride and reduced graphene oxide has been shown to enhance bioelectricity generation by increas- ing power densities and Coulombic efficiencies. 7,8 These materials facilitate higher voltage outputs, making MFCs more practical for real-world applications. Figure 1 illustrates the integration of nanofiber technology into MFC electrodes and separators, which enhances power densities, electron transfer rates and biofilm pro- duction, ultimately improving system strength and operational stability over time. 9,10 As a promising technology for environmental and energy sus- tainability, MFCs have the potential to revolutionize wastewater treatment by increasing efficiency while improving the sustain- ability of energy production. However, critical challenges remain in scaling up and commercializing this technology, particularly with respect to improving efficiency and addressing operational limitations. Research has focused on areas such as biofilm forma- tion in anodes, 11 enhancement of electrode materials 12 and genetic engineering approaches to optimize the generation of microbial energy. 13 Advances in these areas, along with the devel- opment of multifunctional anode materials 14 and electron trans- fer mechanisms, 15 have significantly increased efficiency and power generation in MFCs. Additionally, optimization of operat- ing conditions and biofilm engineering 16 has improved the stabil- ity and scalability of such systems, bringing MFCs closer to industrial application. The TRIZ patent literature review (TRIZ-PLR) methodology pro- vides a systematic framework for analyzing and solving key con- tradictions in MFC technology, such as improving energy generation efficiency without compromising wastewater treat- ment performance. TRIZ-PLR helps uncover innovative pathways * Correspondence to: ZA Rahim, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Tech- nology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mail: zulhasni@utm.my a Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia b NUST Business School, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan c INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN Putra Nilai, Nilai, Malaysia J Chem Technol Biotechnol 2025 www.soci.org © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). 1