Cascade synthesis of ethanol and acetate via microbial fermentation of syngas produced photoelectrochemically by molecular catalysts on BiVO4-perovskite tandem artificial leaf

Project Information

MicrobialLEAF

Grant agreement ID: 891338

DOI

10.3030/891338

Project closed

EC signature date 15 April 2020

Start date 1 June 2021

End date 31 May 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 224 933,76

EU contribution

€ 224 933,76

Coordinated by

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MicrobialLEAF (Cascade synthesis of ethanol and acetate via microbial fermentation of syngas produced photoelectrochemically by molecular catalysts on BiVO4-perovskite tandem artificial leaf)

Reporting period: 2021-06-01 to 2023-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Our current dependence on fossil fuels for producing fuels and chemicals has significant environmental repercussions. The escalating greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), are accelerating climate change and global warming. Consequently, there's a pressing need for sustainable methods to manufacture important commodities while also addressing rising atmospheric CO2 levels.

Tapping into nature's unparalleled catalytic ability, the EU-backed MicrobialLEAF project employs bacteria to convert CO2 into multi-carbon, energy-dense chemicals and fuels, and demonstrates this in a novel bacterial-synthetic biohybrid system. This approach holds great societal importance as it presents an innovative method to transform CO2 directly into valuable chemicals by synergistically combining biological and inorganic components. This approach offers a promising pathway for a greener and more sustainable future.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project unfolded in three phases:

First phase:
- Developed synthetic materials capable of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) for bacterial consumption.
- Adapted bacteria that could thrive exclusively on syngas to produce multi-carbon compounds acetate and ethanol.

Second phase:
- Designed an innovative device that synergistically combined the synthetic materials and bacteria for optimised performance.

Third phase:
- Implemented the envisioned proof-of-concept device. In this setup, the synthetic materials converted CO2 and water into syngas, which the adapted bacteria then fermented into acetate and ethanol.

Project deliverables:
1. A curated library of synthetic materials capable of transforming CO2 and water into syngas.
2. A method for the adaptation of the chosen bacteria to syngas fermentation.
3. Design of a proof-of-concept device that enabled the integration of synthetic materials and bacteria.
4. Demonstrated successful conversion of syngas to acetate and ethanol using the integrated bacteria-inorganic material device.

Dissemination:
1. A part of the findings has been shared through publications and conference presentations.
2. Two additional manuscripts focusing on deliverables 2 and 3/4 are under preparation.
3. The researcher has actively engaged in outreach events and co-organised a conference in the theme of biological-inorganic biohybrid systems.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Advancements beyond state of the art:
- Pioneered a novel device design that integrates synthetic materials with bacteria, aiming for the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels.
- Demonstrated that the proof-of concept could operate stably for 170 hours, converting CO2 and water into multicarbon acetate and ethanol.

The findings from this MSCA fellowship hold the potential to significantly shape research directions in biotechnology. The innovative device introduces an integrated cascade approach for the synthesis of chemicals and fuels. This design can be expanded to incorporate other synthetic materials and microbial systems, paving the way for the production of multicarbon products beyond just acetate and ethanol.

Work performed throughout the project