Living circuits: sustainable bioelectrochemical interfaces for clean energy and environmental sensing

Abstract Bioelectrochemical platforms, which function as living circuits, now convert organic matter into electricity while monitoring environmental conditions through the integration of engineered electronics with microbial systems. The combination of synthetic biology with materials science and system design improvements has led to enhanced electron transfer, improved biofilm stability, and increased signal specificity, enabling real‐time pollutant detection, self‐powered sensors, and decentralized energy solutions. The living circuits operate at scale and regenerate via nearby waste materials and local substrates while requiring minimal upkeep. The continuous operation of microorganisms, combined with the cyclic reuse of electrons, carbon, oxygen, and water, allows for extended system operation. Here, this perspective examines the essential scientific and technological breakthroughs that form this paradigm while discussing its capabilities for independent power generation and environmental surveillance. The sustainable bioelectronics field of living circuits shows promise, but its power generation capacity and expansion capabilities need additional interdisciplinary research to overcome current limitations. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).