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

用于催化和废水修复的可编程生物膜的合成、研究和优化

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-03690
• 负责人: Greener, Jesse
• 金额: $ 2.55万
• 依托单位: Université Laval
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=587359
• 关键词: Synthesis; study; optimization; programmable; biofilms

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.

拟议的计划利用微流体技术与格林纳集团目前正在开发的新分析工具相结合，研究在高​​度特定的流体动力学、化学和热条件下合成的一类新型生物材料。具体来说，我们将重点关注活生物膜 (BF)，它是一种新型材料，可用于催化、生物 MEMS、环境修复等领域的潜在技术。相关性还将扩展到健康、食品和海军运输等当前领域。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、特定位点电化学测量和光学显微镜。 微流控 (MF) 通道是研究 BF 的理想环境，因为它们对流体动力学、化学试剂浓度和传热具有无与伦比的控制能力。然而，目前控制与 MF 中有限的原位表征模式之间存在不匹配。因此，该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。凭借我在微流体制造和原位表征方面的背景以及重要的初步结果，我们将开发一类新型生物反应器，能够使用新开发的流模板生物反应器（FTBR）生成有组织的 BF 模式。我们将使这些 BF 处于精确的流体动力学、热学和化学条件下，并通过原位光谱和显微成像研究结果。我们提出的研究计划分为四个部分：（i）新型 FTBR 的制造； (ii) 在高度特定的流体动力学生长条件下生成受控的 BF 形成，并使用新型 FTBR 研究其生长动力学和力学； (iii) BF 催化的优化化学动力学研究； (iv) 用于多步催化的纳米BF杂化材料的高度新颖的研究，我们将探索纳米BF杂化材料，通过利用捕获的纳米粒子的催化特性来增强天然BF的催化性能。该计划将与 (FRQNT) 资助的项目产生良好的协同作用，该项目将使用碳纳米管 (CNT)-BF 开发导电纳米生物混合生物膜，并应用于微生物燃料电池。 通过这项研究计划的工作，我们将成为世界上第一个应用光谱工具和 MF 对可重复的 BF 进行高度控制的测量的公司之一。可交付成果将包括开发一种能够以可重复尺寸形成BF的新型生物反应器、控制BF生长及其特性的新方法、将催化BF材料集成到用于新技术应用的微型设备中、开发纳米生物混合生物膜材料的新概念。这些研究的最终目标是开发一类新型材料，这些材料有可能为能源生产、化学合成和废水修复的新方法做出重大贡献。该计划将有助于推进我们致力于开发新的绿色技术，减少对环境的影响，为高素质人才提供刺激的培训机会，以及发展加拿大新颖的创新，从而帮助经济发展并为加拿大的高技能劳动力做出贡献。