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.

Participants

Johan Larsbrink (contact)

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology

Yvonne Nygård

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology

Nathan Porter

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology

Soroush Saheb Alam

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology

Funding

Chalmers

Funding Chalmers participation during 2019–

Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure

Energy

Areas of Advance

More information

Latest update

2022-12-07