MudTronics: Microbial Fuel Cell World Championship
Mi-Hy
Funding
Materials starter kits + travel support for finalists
Opens
23 March 2026
Deadline
6 June 2026
Location
Paris, Global
Entry Fee
Free
About
A global collaborative competition for artists, scientists, and makers to build prototypes powered by microbial fuel cells using mud, wastewater, and microbes.
MudTronics is a world championship-style open call that brings together artists, designers, scientists, and technologists to explore what's possible with microbial fuel cells (MFCs) — living systems that convert organic matter like mud and wastewater into electrical energy.
Participants are invited to propose and build prototypes that use microbial fuel cells in playful, critical, or ecologically grounded ways. Whether you're interested in powering remote environmental sensors, biorobotics, agricultural applications, IoT devices, or something entirely unexpected — MudTronics is your space to experiment.
How it works:
Selected teams receive starter kits containing essential MFC materials (carbon veil and membranes) and work independently on their projects. Throughout the process, Mi-Hy scientists provide support via online workshops and regular feedback rounds.
Around ten finalist teams will be invited — with travel support — to the finals at Empower Université Paris-Saclay (22–24 September 2026), where projects are presented, connections are made, and prizes awarded.
Key dates:
- Open call launched: 23 March 2026
- Application deadline: 6 June 2026
- Proposal selection: 19 June 2026
- Starter kits dispatched: by 24 June 2026
- Online workshop: 1 July 2026
- Online feedback rounds: 20 July – 5 August 2026
- Hackathon at Université Paris-Saclay: 22–24 September 2026
- Presentation and prizegiving: 25–30 September 2026
Tutorials and open-science MFC guides are available on the Mi-Hy DIY page, using accessible materials that require no special equipment. This is a genuinely welcoming entry point for anyone curious about bio-art, ecological design, or low-power sensing — no prior microbiology expertise required.