The Microbial Electrosynthesis group has three focus areas.
Study of Microbial Processes
We have a large focus on investigating the microbes that are key to electricity-powered microbial biotechnologies. We mainly study acetogenic bacteria, as these microbes convert CO₂ into small organic molecules (mainly acetate) using H2, which can be produced by electricity. In addition, we work with Shewanella, a microbe known for its unique extracellular electron transfer pathways. We investigate diverse traits of these microbes, including H2 consumption (e.g. H2 thresholds and kinetics), energy conservation, biofilm formation and extracellular electron transfer. We apply physiological studies, genetic engineering and omics techniques.
Computational modelling
A second focus area of the Microbial Electrosynthesis group is Computational Modelling. We develop computational models to simulate how variations in microbial traits affect the performance of bioelectrochemical reactor systems. Our models incorporate e.g. microbial H2 and CO2 consumption kinetics, microbial growth, biofilms, electrochemical processes and mass transport phenomena.
Bioelectrochemical reactor experiments
We also perform experiments with lab-scale bioelectrochemical reactor setups. These experiments have as main goal to test how microbial traits affect the performance of bioelectrochemical reactor systems, as well as to validate our computational models.
