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

该计划利用微流体技术与新的分析工具相结合，目前正在Greener Group开发，以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，我们将专注于活生物膜（BFs），作为催化，生物MEMS，环境修复等领域潜在技术的一类新材料。相关性也将扩大到目前的领域，如卫生、粮食和海军航运。我们的目标是控制BF功能，以开发微生物反应器。我们也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BF的理想环境，因为它们对流体力学，化学试剂浓度和传热的无与伦比的控制。然而，目前有一个不匹配的控制和有限的阵列在现场表征模式的MF。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。随着我的微流体制造和原位表征的背景沿着重要的初步结果，我们将开发一类新的生物反应器，能够产生有组织的模式BF使用新开发的流动模板生物反应器（FTBR）。我们将这些BF精确的流体动力学，热和化学条件，并研究结果与原位光谱和显微成像。我们提出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学生长条件下产生受控的BF形成，并使用新的FTBR研究它们的生长动力学和机械;（iii）BF催化的优化化学动力学研究;以及（iv）用于多步催化的纳米BF杂化材料的高度新颖的研究，在那里，我们将探索纳米BF混合材料，通过利用被捕获的纳米颗粒的催化性能，增强天然BF的催化性能。该计划将与通过（FRQNT）资助的项目具有良好的协同作用，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进行高度控制测量的公司。可实现的目标将包括开发一种新型生物反应器，该生物反应器能够以可再现的尺寸对BF进行图案化，控制BF生长及其特性的新方法，将催化BF材料整合到用于新技术应用的微器件中，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材料，这些材料有可能为能源生产、化学合成和废水治理的新方法做出重大贡献。该计划将是我们致力于开发新的绿色技术的一部分，这将减少我们对环境的影响，为高素质人员提供激励培训机会，并开发新的加拿大创新，这将有助于经济和加拿大的高技能劳动力。

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.