Enhancing Microbial Electron Transfer through Synthetic Biology and Biohybrid Approaches: Part I: Bioelectrochemistry for sustainable energy conversion

Myers, Benjamin; Hill, Phil; Rawson, Frankie; Kovacs, Katalin

Abstract

Traditional microbial synthesis of chemicals and fuels often rely on energy-rich feedstocks such as glucose, raising ethical concerns as they are directly competing with the food supply. Therefore, it is imperative to develop novel processes that rely on cheap, sustainable and abundant resources whilst providing carbon circularity. Microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) offer unique opportunities to facilitate the conversion of chemicals to electrical energy or vice versa, by harnessing the metabolic processes of bacteria to valorise a range of waste products, including greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, the strict growth and nutrient requirements of industrially relevant bacteria, combined with low efficiencies of native extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanisms, reduce the potential for industrial scalability. In this two-part work, we review the most significant advancements in techniques aimed at improving and modulating the efficiency of microbial EET, giving an objective and balanced view of current controversies surrounding the physiology of microbial electron transfer, alongside the methods used to wire microbial redox centres with the electrodes of bioelectrochemical systems via conductive nanomaterials.

Citation

Myers, B., Hill, P., Rawson, F., & Kovacs, K. (2022). Enhancing Microbial Electron Transfer through Synthetic Biology and Biohybrid Approaches: Part I: Bioelectrochemistry for sustainable energy conversion. Johnson Matthey Technology Review, 66(4), 443-454. https://doi.org/10.1595/205651322X16548607638938

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 10, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 3, 2022
• Publication Date: Oct 3, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 11, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 12, 2022
• Journal: Johnson Matthey Technology Review
• Electronic ISSN: 2056-5135
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 66
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 443-454
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1595/205651322X16548607638938
• Keywords: Electrochemistry, Metals and Alloys, Process Chemistry and Technology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/8947760
• Publisher URL: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/matthey/jmtr/2022/00000066/00000004/art00008
• Additional Information: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.