The National Science Foundation Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems awarded $419,896 under the Engineering (47.041) federal grant program to Georgia Tech Research Corporation from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2025. The project aims to develop new, environmentally friendly dispersants, surfactants, and emulsifiers to remediate oil spills through the discovery and characterization of naturally produced bioemulsifiers from coastal bacteria. Specifically, the researchers will study bioemulsifiers produced by bacteria found after the Deepwater Horizon spill and test effective crude oil degraders. The goal is to identify bioemulsifiers that can speed biodegradation of crude oil, filling a gap in oil spill remediation techniques. If successful, these bioemulsifiers may also find use in enhanced oil recovery and as detergent replacements. Two graduate students will be mentored at Georgia Tech.
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