Title: Microbial production of multi-carbon chemicals and fuels from water and carbon dioxide using electric current

Abstract

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.

Inventors:

Lovley, Derek R.; Nevin, Kelly P.

Issue Date:

2018-01-02

Research Org.:

University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) (SC-23)

OSTI Identifier:

1415471

Patent Number(s):

9,856,449

Application Number:

14/860,211

Assignee:

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS (Boston, MA)

DOE Contract Number:  

FC02-02ER63446; AR0000087

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2015 Sep 21

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES