Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an emerging technology in renewable energy and waste treatment and the scale-up is crucial for practical applications. Undoubtedly, the analysis and comprehension of MFC operation necessitate essential information regarding the response of the current distribution to variable operating conditions, which stands as one of its significant dynamic characteristics. In this study, the dynamic responses of current distribution to external stimuli (external load, temperature, pH, and electrolyte concentration) were investigated by employing a segmented anode current collector in a liter-scale MFC. The results demonstrated that, with respect to the anodic segment close to the cathode, a major response of the segment current to changes in load, temperature and pH was observed while minor response to changes in ion concentration. It was also found that external stimuli-induced high current usually led to a worse current distribution while increasing electrolyte ion concentration could simultaneously improve the maximal power generation and current distribution. In addition, the response time of segment current to input stimulus followed the pattern of temperature ˃ pH ˃ ion concentration ˃ external load. The results and implication of this study would be helpful in enhancing the operational stability of scale-up MFCs in future practical application.

微生物燃料电池（MFC）是可再生能源和废物处理领域的一项新兴技术，其规模化对于实际应用至关重要。毫无疑问，MFC 运行的分析和理解需要有关电流分布对可变运行条件的响应的基本信息，这是其重要的动态特性之一。在本研究中，通过在升级 MFC 中采用分段阳极集电器来研究电流分布对外部刺激（外部负载、温度、pH 值和电解质浓度）的动态响应。结果表明，对于靠近阴极的阳极段，观察到段电流对负载、温度和 pH 值变化的主要响应，而对离子浓度变化的响应较小。研究还发现，外部刺激引起的高电流通常会导致电流分布变差，而增加电解质离子浓度可以同时改善最大发电量和电流分布。此外，段电流对输入刺激的响应时间遵循温度˃pH˃离子浓度˃外部负载的模式。本研究的结果和意义将有助于提高放大MFC在未来实际应用中的运行稳定性。