EMES · Enhanced Microbial Electrosynthesis and Visualization of Microbial Metabolism
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2018-01-01 → 2019-12-31
- EU contribution
- €195,455
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
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Results in brief
Enhanced Microbial Electrosynthesis and Visualization of Microbial Metabolism
Addressing the global challenge of sustainability calls for cost-effective and eco-friendly pathways to go beyond the existing energy-intense synthetic routes. Biohybrid electrochemical systems can synergistically combine the strengths of biocatalysts and synthetic electrodes to leverage the power of the intercellular metabolism for energy conversion and chemical synthesis using (photo)electrochemistry. Of particular interest are electroactive bacteria with the naturally evolved ability to electrically interact with insoluble metal oxides for anaerobic respiration, which promises broad applications in microbial fuel cells, microbial electrosynthesis and bioremediation. Nevertheless, the development of microbial hybrid systems is perennially plagued by the low power output and volumetric productivity, arising from the imperfect integration of bacteria with solid-state materials. The nexus of breakthroughs, therefore, lies in the electrode architecture and biological interfaces. Electroactive bacteria are present in a whole host of environments and have recently garnered attention for both, fundamental studies, and emerging applications such as microbial fuel cells. G. sulfurreducens is amongst the most common and promising of these and devices featuring these species have attained some of the highest current densities to date. While the mechanistic details of the EET mechanism of G. sulfurreducens – loaded electrodes in anodic mode are beginning to emerge, the recently established cathodic mode remains rather ambiguous. To shed light on the mechanism of G. sulfurreducens EET, we carried out an extensive study on their biofilms as they grow on electrodes in both anodic and cathodic reaction modes, utilizing electrochemistry, Raman spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance measurements, and electron microscopy, with a focus on the role of cytochromes under these two conditions. Overall objectives of the project: -Development of a high-performing electrode for microbial electrogenesis and microbial electrosynthesis -Development of photoanodes for microbial electrosynthesis -Investigation of bacterial extracellular electron uptake (cathodic) mechanism
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a novel strategy in which microbes accept electrons from a cathodic surface to synthesize high-value chemicals and fuels via the reduction of carbon dioxide. A cathode material is an essential component of MES and hence the development of improved cathode materials is critical to enhance the performance of MES. The proposed work tackles the largely unexplored challenge to develop highly efficient cathode materials using hollow nanostructures and three dimensional graphene scaffolds to maximize biofuel production through MES. The electro-activity of the microbes at the hollow cavities is extremely fascinating as the cavities can behave like nano-reactors. Also, the proposed project will design a p-type CaFe2O4 semiconductor/Shewanella biofilm hybrid system as a photobiocathode to power MES with solar light through photo-generated electrons. Finally, a novel analytical technique will be developed to visualize the metabolic activity of the cathode-attached microbes using a fluorescent dye, redox sensor green (RSG). RSG coupled with microscopy can be used to directly visualize the metabolism of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 attached on the cathodic surface. MES technology has already found early commercial applications in the US; this project aims to be a catalyst to stimulating the industrial sector in the EU to invest and develop this field. The proposed research falls into the category of EU climate and energy policies, and Europe Horizon 2020 strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Strong long lasting collaborations would be established during the research project that can create career opportunities for the applicant.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE · CAMBRIDGECoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union