Microbial electro-assisted conversion of biomass to energy carriers

Research Project, 2019 – 2020

This project aims to develop a new way to convert biomass to liquid energy carriers through microbial electro-fermentation. We will utilize bacteria that are well-known as efficient decomposers of the
complex structures that constitute renewable biomass, and that simultaneously produce fatty acids that can be used as drop-in fuels. To further accelerate the production of biofuels, we will for the first time couple this process to a bioelectrochemical system (BES). Our hypothesis is that this will help circumvent the known bottlenecks in fermentation; recycling of crucial cofactors and inhibition of
microbial growth by toxic compounds. Efficient and sustainable use of plant biomass is a key step in reaching the ambitious goals of Sweden to achieve a fossil-free transport fleet in the coming years. This project can serve as a proof-of-concept for how to more efficiently speed up the process of microbial conversion into versatile energy carriers by combining biotechnology and electrical engineering.