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: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=686119
• 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.

该计划利用微流体技术和绿色小组正在开发的新型分析工具，研究在高度指定的流体动力学、化学和热条件下合成的新型生物材料。具体来说，我们将重点关注活生物膜（BFs），作为一种新型材料，在催化、生物mems、环境修复等领域具有潜在的技术潜力。相关性也将扩大到当前的领域，如保健、食品和海军航运。我们的目标是控制高炉的功能，以发展微生物反应器。我们还将开发具有增强催化性能的纳米生物材料。在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，特定位置的电化学测量和光学显微镜。**微流体（MF）通道是研究生物流化床的理想环境，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，目前在MFs中存在着控制和有限的原位表征模式阵列之间的不匹配。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。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，我们将开发一种新型生物反应器，能够使用新开发的流动模板生物反应器（FTBR）产生有组织的生物反应器模式。我们将把这些生物燃料置于精确的流体动力学、热学和化学条件下，并利用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)制造新的ftbr；在高度规定的水动力生长条件下产生受控制的高炉，并使用新的ftbr研究其生长动力学和力学；(3)高炉催化的优化化学动力学研究；（iv）纳米- bf混合材料多步催化的高度新颖研究，我们将探索纳米- bf混合材料，通过利用捕获的纳米颗粒的催化特性来提高天然bf的催化性能。该项目将与（FRQNT）资助的一个项目产生良好的协同作用，该项目将利用碳纳米管(CNT)-BFs开发导电纳米生物混合生物膜，并将其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MFs对可重复性BFs进行高度控制测量的公司。交付成果将包括开发一种新型生物反应器，能够以可复制的尺寸对BF进行图案化，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器件中，以及纳米生物混合生物膜材料的新概念的开发。这些研究的最终目标是开发一种新型材料，这种材料有可能对能源生产、化学合成和废水补救的新方法作出重大贡献。这个项目将是我们致力于开发新的绿色技术的一个重要组成部分，它将减少我们对环境的影响，为高素质的人才提供一个激励人心的培训机会，并为加拿大的经济和高技能劳动力的发展提供新的加拿大创新的发展。