An MDC is constructed similarly to a microbial fuel cell by including two
chambers with two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, in addition to both a third chamber separated by an anion exchange membrane (AEM) and cation exchange membrane (CEM), and a peripheral, external circuit that is responsible for aerobic and anaerobic processes at each respective electrode. Organic matter from the sludge proliferates in the anode chamber and creates a biofilm that generates an electric current. The biofilm thus begins to oxidize the pollutants in the sludge by strictly adhering to the anode, freeing both electrons and protons from the bio-sludge, creating a current of atoms that are collected by the electrodes through circuit transportation. Electrical current is produced by the potential difference generated between the anode and cathode due to the aerobic nature of the cathode chamber.