CMHAlgae · Multifunctional Cellulose Magnetic Hybrid (CMH) Nanomaterial for Integrating Downstream Processing of Microalgae
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-08-02 → 2019-08-01
- EU contribution
- €160,800
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Multifunctional Cellulose Magnetic Hybrid (CMH) Nanomaterial for Integrating Downstream Processing of Microalgae
Microalgae are promising biomass feedstock for valuable chemical production and biofuel. Now withstanding the extensive R&D efforts devoted to upscaling of microalgae production in the past decade, the cost and energy demand remain too high. In this connection, significant improvements are needed in multiple steps of downstream processing, particularly in harvesting, dewatering and cell disruption. Functionalized nanomaterials have numerous applications in fields ranging from catalysis, electrode materials, medical diagnosis, drug delivery, environmental remediation and biotechnology. In recent years, nanoparticles with multiple functionalities have emerged, which are capable of combining several unit operations into a single step, e.g. a multifunctional collagen based magnetic nanomaterial has been applied for selective absorption and recovery of oil from spills through external magnetic field. Nanomaterials are increasingly being used in microalgae downstream processing, e.g. for harvesting, lipid extraction or biodiesel conversion. This project aimed to achieve a significant cost reduction by using multifunctional nanomaterials to combine multiple unit operations in downstream processing (harvesting, dewatering and cell disruption) into a single technology. The overall objective of this project was to develop a bio-based and reusable cellulose magnetic hybrid (CMH) nanomaterial that can be used for combining flocculation, cell disruption and dewatering of microalgae. This project integrated several promising recent breakthroughs in nanotechnology for downstream processing of microalgae into a single technology with cellulose magnetic hybrid nanomaterial to decrease the downstream processing costs in a microalgal biorefinery.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Microalgae are a promising new biomass source for the production of chemicals and biofuel. Notwithstanding extensive R&D efforts, the cost and energy demand the production process remain too high, particularly in downstream processing. We believe the efficiency of microalgae downstream processing can be greatly improved through the use of nanotechnology. Hybrid and/or multifunctional nanoparticles can be tailored with multiple functional groups to combine several unit operations in a single technology. In this project, we combine expertise on Fe3O4 nanomaterials and cell disruption technologies from the experienced researcher with expertise of the two co-supervisors in nanocellulose materials and microalgae harvesting to create a bio-based and re-usable Cellulose Magnetic Hybrid (CMH) nanomaterial for downstream processing of microalgae. As a basis we will use nanocellulose, a natural material that can easily be grafted with multiple functional groups. The nanocellulose will be equipped with quaternary ammonium groups to generate flocculating and cell disruption activity, as well as pH-responsive to allow detachment of the nanomaterial after processing. The nanocellulose will be linked to an Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which will allow separating the microalgal biomass from the medium as well as recovery of the nanomaterial after downstream processing. Thus, our CMH nanomaterial will be capable of combined flocculation, dewatering and cell disruption of microalgae and can be removed from the biomass and re-used after processing. The techno-economic feasibility of this novel technology will be demonstrated in two model systems: lipid production in Nannochloropsis and astaxanthin production in Haematococcus. We believe that this CMH nanomaterial will be able to achieve a critical cost reduction in microalgal downstream processing and truly advance large-scale microalgae biomass production towards commercialization
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN · LeuvenCoordinatorBelgium
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union