Microbial fuel cell world championship
MudTronics aims to inspire and connect local makers, artists, scientists, and technologists while developing new approaches and applications for communication, sensing, and ecological solutions, or any innovative and compelling idea.
It supports teams in shared designing and building microbially-powered applications, and empowers individuals and ideas to transfer knowledge, strengthen local communities, and build long-term collaborations.
What are microbial fuel cells?
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) use living microbes to convert chemical energy stored in organic matter into electrical energy.
In the anode compartment, microorganisms oxidize organic compounds under anaerobic conditions, releasing electrons and protons. The electrons are collected by the anode material and transported via an external circuit, while protons and/or positively charged ions migrate internally through the membrane. At the cathode, electrons and protons recombine with oxygen to form water, completing the redox cycle.
Applications
While each MFC produces low power, individual units can be connected in series to increase voltage or in parallel to boost current, allowing tailored configurations for different uses. Small arrays of about ten cells can power low‑energy devices such as environmental sensors, microcontrollers,
LoRa (low range) communication nodes, and LEDs for continuous, ultra‑low‑power operation.
MudTronics aims to inspire and connect local makers, artists, scientists, and technologists while developing new approaches and applications for communication, sensing, and ecological solutions, or any innovative and compelling idea.
It supports teams in shared designing and building microbially-powered applications, and empowers individuals and ideas to transfer knowledge, strengthen local communities, and build long-term collaborations.
What are microbial fuel cells?
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) use living microbes to convert chemical energy stored in organic matter into electrical energy.
In the anode compartment, microorganisms oxidize organic
compounds under anaerobic conditions, releasing electrons
and protons. The electrons are collected by the anode material
and transported via an external circuit, while protons and/
or positively charged ions migrate internally through the
membrane. At the cathode, electrons and protons recombine
with oxygen to form water, completing the redox cycle.
Applications
While each MFCs produces low power, individual units can
be connected in series to increase voltage or in parallel to
boost current, allowing tailored configurations for different
uses. Small arrays of about ten cells can power low‑energy
devices such as environmental sensors, microcontrollers,
LoRa communication nodes, and LEDs for continuous,
ultra‑low‑power operation.
Which design and application can use the potential of microbial fuel cells to its fullest? Connecting them to a wastewater stream for maximum output? Using them to power remote sensors? To recyle nutrients from waste to fertilizer?
MudTronics encourages participants to explore how a waste-driven low power source can shape IOT, biorobotics, agriculture and other spheres.
Open call is launched! Application deadline: June 6th, 2026
Submit your ideas!
Selected proposals will receive essential materials for building microbial fuel cells, including carbon veil and membranes. Teams will then work independently on their projects, supported during the entire process by online workshops with Mi-Hy scientists and regular feedback rounds.
Finally, around ten projects will be invited, with travel support, to the finals at Empower Université Paris-Saclay, where teams will have space for informal collaboration, feedback, and reflection, connecting with each other, with local communities, and with the more-than-human environments that make microbial power possible.
Timeline
We have prepared an open-science version of the microbial fuel cells developed withing Mi-Hy project. It uses accessible materials and doesn’t special equipment.
And here you can watch a video-tutorial:
You can find more information, tutorials and scientific references at:
Contact
Stay tuned for more info. For questions and support contact mudtronics@mi-hy.eu
Timeline
Open call launch
March 23rd, 2026
Application
Deadline: June 6th, 2026
Proposal selection
June 19th, 2026
MFC starter kits sent out to selected teams
by June 24th, 2026
Online workshop with Mi-Hy scientists
July 1st, 2026
Online feedback rounds
July 20th – August 5th, 2026
Hackathon days at Université Paris-Saclay for selected teams
September 22-24th, 2026
Presentation and prizegiving
September 25th 2026, Empower Paris-Saclay
Selected proposals will receive starter kits with essential materials for building microbial fuel cells, including carbon veil and membranes. Teams will then work independently on their projects, supported during the entire process by online workshops with Mi-Hy scientists and regular feedback rounds.
Finally, around ten projects will be invited, with travel support, to the finals at Empower Université Paris-Saclay, where teams will have space for informal collaboration, feedback, and reflection, connecting with each other, with local communities, and with the more-than-human environments that make microbial power possible.
We have prepared an open-science version of the microbial fuel cells developed withing Mi-Hy project. It uses accessible materials and doesn’t special equipment.
And here you can watch a video-tutorial:
You can find more information, tutorials and scientific references at:
Contact
Stay tuned for more info. For questions and support contact mudtronics@mi-hy.eu
