Microbial production of multi-carbon chemicals and fuels from water and carbon dioxide using electric current
The invention provides systems and methods for generating organic compounds using carbon dioxide as a source of carbon and electrical current as an energy source. In one embodiment, a reaction cell is provided having a cathode electrode and an anode electrode that are connected to a source of electrical power, and which are separated by a permeable membrane. A biological film is provided on the cathode. The biological film comprises a bacterium that can accept electrons and that can convert carbon dioxide to a carbon-bearing compound and water in a cathode half-reaction. At the anode, water is decomposed to free molecular oxygen and solvated protons in an anode half-reaction. The half-reactions are driven by the application of electrical current from an external source. Compounds that have been produced include acetate, butanol, 2-oxobutyrate, propanol, ethanol, and formate.
- Research Organization:
- University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC02-02ER63446; AR0000087
- Assignee:
- UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS (Boston, MA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 9,856,449
- Application Number:
- 14/860,211
- OSTI ID:
- 1415471
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2015 Sep 21
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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