Synthesis, study and optimization of programmable biofilms for catalysis and waste water remediation

这项拟议的计划利用微流控技术与Greener Group目前正在开发的新分析工具相结合，来研究在高度特定的流体、化学和热条件下合成的一类新型生物材料。具体地说，我们将重点介绍生物膜(BF)，它是一种新型材料，在催化、生物微机械、环境修复等领域具有潜在的技术潜力。相关性还将扩展到目前的领域，如卫生、食品和海军航运。我们的目标是控制BF功能，以开发微生物反应器。我们还将开发具有增强催化性能的纳米生物材料。这项工作中使用的分析工具将包括一套成像技术，包括用于化学和热成像的拉曼光谱、特定地点的电化学测量和光学显微镜。微流控(MF)通道是研究高炉的理想环境，因为它对流体动力学、化学试剂浓度和热传递具有无与伦比的控制能力。然而，目前在MFS中的控制和有限的原位表征模式阵列之间存在不匹配。因此，这一领域的高影响力研究将需要开发适合这些研究的适当分析方法。以我在微流控制造和现场表征方面的背景以及重要的初步结果，我们将开发一种新的生物反应器，能够使用新开发的流动模板生物反应器(FTBR)产生有序的BF模式。我们将把这些BF置于精确的流体力学、热学和化学条件下，并用原位光谱和显微成像来研究结果。我们建议的研究计划分为四个部分：(I)制造新的FTBR；(Ii)在高度特定的流体动力生长条件下产生受控的BF形成，并使用新的FTBR研究其生长动力学和力学；(Iii)优化BF催化的化学动力学研究；以及(Iv)用于多步催化的高度新颖的纳米BF杂化材料的研究，其中我们将探索利用捕获的纳米颗粒的催化性能来提高天然BF催化性能的纳米BF杂化材料。该计划将与通过(FRQNT)资助的一个项目产生极好的协同效应，该项目将利用碳纳米管(CNT)-生物燃料电池开发导电纳米生物杂化生物膜。通过这项研究计划的工作，我们将成为世界上首批应用光谱工具和MFS对可重复的高炉进行高度受控测量的公司之一。交付成果将包括开发一种能够形成具有可复制尺寸的高炉的新型生物反应器，控制高炉生长及其性能的新方法，将催化高炉材料集成到用于新技术应用的微型设备中，开发纳米生物杂化生物膜材料的新概念。这些研究将针对开发一类新材料的最终目标，这些材料有可能对能源生产、化学合成和废水修复的新方法做出重大贡献。这一计划将是推进我们致力于开发新的绿色技术的不可或缺的一部分，该技术将减少我们对环境的影响，为高素质人员提供一个激动人心的培训机会，并开发将有助于经济并为加拿大高技能劳动力做出贡献的加拿大新创新。

The proposed program utilizes microfluidics coupled with new analytical tools, currently being developed in the Greener Group, to study a novel class of biomaterials synthesized under highly specified hydrodynamic, chemical and thermal conditions. Specifically, we will focus on living biofilms (BFs), as a new class of materials for potential technology in areas such as, catalysis, bio-MEMS, environmental remediation. Relevance will also be extended to current areas such as health, food and naval shipping. We aim to control BF functionality for development of microbial reactors. We will also develop nano-bio materials with enhanced catalytic properties. Analytical tools used in this work will include a suite of imaging techniques including Raman spectroscopy for chemical and thermal imaging, site-specific electrochemical measurements and optical microscopy. Microfluidic (MF) channels are the ideal environment to study BFs because of their unparalleled control over hydrodynamics, chemical reagent concentrations and heat transfer. However, there is currently a mis-match between control and the limited array of in situ characterization modes in MFs. Therefore, high-impact research in this area will require the development proper analytical methods suited for these studies. With my background in microfluidic fabrication and in situ characterization along with important preliminary results, we will develop a new class of bioreactors capable of generating organized patterns of BFs using a newly developed flow-templated bioreactor (FTBR). We will subject these BFs to precise hydrodynamic, thermal and chemical conditions, and study the results with in situ spectroscopic and microscopic imaging. Our proposed research program is divided into four parts: (i) Fabrication of new FTBRs; (ii) Generation of controlled BF formations under highly specified hydrodynamic growth conditions and the study of their growth kinetics and mechanical using new FTBRs; (iii) Optimised chemical kinetic studies of BF catalysis; and (iv) highly novel studies of nano-BF hybrid materials for multi-step catalysis, where we will explore nano-BF hybrid materials that enhance catalytic performance over natural BFs by utilizing catalytic properties of trapped nanoparticles. This program will have excellent synergy with a funded project through (FRQNT), which will develop electrically conductive nano-bio hybrid biofilms using carbon nanotube (CNT)-BFs with applications to microbial fuel cells. Through the work of this research program we will establish ourselves as among the first in the world to apply spectroscopic tools and MFs to conduct highly controlled measurements of reproducible BFs. Deliverables will include the development of a novel bioreactor capable of patterning BFs with reproducible dimensions, new methods to control BF growth and their properties, integration of catalytic BF materials into microdevices for new technological applications, the development of the new concept of nano-bio hybrid biofilm materials. These studies will be directed toward the ultimate goal of developing of a new class of materials that have the potential to significantly contribute to new methods of energy production, chemical synthesis and waste water remediation. This program will be integral in the advancement of our commitment to developing new green technology that will lessen our impact on the environment, providing a stimulating training opportunity for highly qualified personnel, and the development of novel Canadian innovations that will help the economy and contribute to Canada’s highly skilled work force.