CAREER:Nutrients and Energy-rich Macromolecules Recovery from Microalgae using Subcritical Water

1351413Kumar在这个职业研究/教育项目中，PI将利用亚临界水来提取能量丰富的大分子和回收矿物。该项目预计将解决藻类生物燃料目前面临的两个挑战。在第一步中，PI将利用闪电水解(FH)来回收蛋白质、碳水化合物、脂肪。在第二步中，PI将利用热液成矿作用(HTM)回收无机营养物质，以供循环使用。拟议的过程有可能利用模拟地理的沉淀法回收三分之二以上的常量营养素，同时生产生物燃料中间物种。这些营养素包括磷、氮和无机固体。FH过程的优点是能够在不改变细胞成分(如脂类)功能的情况下破坏藻细胞壁。回收的营养物质将作为缓释肥料用于藻类养殖。将利用一系列表征方法来了解藻类生产力的影响，以及回收营养物质的功效。在不使用任何添加化学品的情况下，在几秒钟内选择性地对藻类蛋白进行FH是一个新的概念。该项目将研究模型蛋白质的FH，以获得对快速反应条件下的反应路径、中间化合物和大分子相互作用的基本了解。这将扩大我们对有机质在热液介质中转化的认识。所提出的HTM养分回收方法模拟了矿物在水介质中沉淀的自然地质过程。考虑到不需要额外的加热或加压，HTM与FH的集成是一个新的概念。通过研究水热介质中溶解的离子物种(FH过程中从藻类中提取的)的矿化和沉淀来恢复营养物质，将发展一种新的知识。其他好处包括生产生物燃料中间体，同时减少NOx排放。除了教育研究生和本科生外，该项目还呼吁K-12和社区宣传，以及代表不足的/少数群体的参与。外展计划通过实验室经验得到补充和加强。PI还旨在引入一年级水平的环境可持续发展课程，让学生接触到这一主题领域的重要性和职业可能性。

1351413KumarIn this CAREER research/educational project, the PI will utilize subcritical water for both extracting the energy-rich macromolecules and for recovering the minerals. The project is expected the address both of the challenges currently faced by algae biofuels. In the first step, PI will utilize flash hydrolysis (FH) to recover proteins, carbohydrates, lipids. In the second step, the PI will utilize hydrothermal mineralization (HTM) to recover inorganic nutrients for recycling. The proposed process has potential of recovering more than two-thirds of macronutrients using geo-mimetic precipitation method, while producing biofuel intermediate species. These nutrients include P, N, and inorganic solids. The FH process has the advantage of being able to disrupt algal cell walls without changing the functionality of the cell components such as lipids. The recovered nutrients will be utilized as slow-release fertilizer for algae cultivation. An array of characterization methods will be utilized for understanding the effects of algae productivity, and the efficacy of the recycled nutrients. Selective FH of algae proteins within a few seconds without the use of any added chemicals is a new concept. The project will examine FH of model proteins to derive a fundamental understanding of reaction pathways, intermediate compounds, and interactions of macromolecules under fast reaction conditions. This will extend our knowledge of conversion of organic matters in hydrothermal medium. The proposed nutrients recovery using HTM mimics natural geological process of minerals precipitation in aqueous medium. The integration of HTM with FH is a novel concept considering that no additional heating or pressurization will be required. A new knowledge will be developed by studying the mineralization and precipitation of dissolved ionic species (extracted from algae during FH) in hydrothermal medium to recover nutrients. The additional benefits include production of biofuel intermediates while reducing NOx emissions.In addition to educating graduate and undergraduate students, the project calls for K-12 and community outreach and involvement of underrepresented/minority groups. The outreach program is supplemented and enhanced by laboratory experiences. The PI also aims to introduce a freshman level class of environmental sustainability, exposing students to the importance and career possibilities in this topic area.