This $990,754 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Program (CFDA 47.041) to Arizona State University (ASU) aims to advance the science and technology of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into biofuels through an integrated photocatalytic and bioprocessing system. The key products and services to be delivered include:
-
Developing a fundamental understanding of how nanoscale catalyst structures can efficiently reduce CO2 to carbon monoxide (CO) using photocatalytic processes. This will involve optimizing the design of fiber-optic reactors to maximize light utilization and CO2 transfer efficiency.
-
Utilizing the produced CO as a feedstock for microbial chain elongation processes to convert it into longer-chain organic compounds suitable for biofuel production. The project will focus on managing bacterial biofilms and optimizing metabolic interactions to enhance this bioconversion process.
-
Providing hands-on summer research experiences for high school and community college students, particularly from underserved groups, to nurture STEM skills in nanotechnology and biotechnology.
The project aims to establish the scientific and engineering foundations for a synergistic photocatalytic-bioprocessing platform that can effectively convert and valorize CO2 into renewable fuels, promoting environmental and economic sustainability.
Generated 3/4/25, 7:19 AM