The microbes in a MFC are not true catalysts since they obtain energy from the oxidation of the substrate to support
their own growth and create an energy loss. Microbes in a MFC may gain all the energy and carbon
required for cellular growth from the oxidation of the complex organic material and as such MFC
technology has been considered self-sustaining . As long as conditions remain favorable
for current production by the anode-associated microbes, a MFC has the potential to produce
electricity indefinitely