Mi-Hy - Microbial Hydroponics for nutrient recovery and utilisation

Mi-Hy首次将微生物燃料电池(MFC)技术和水培技术结合在一起，从而将人工根际(扩展的根际群落)引入到典型的水培系统的“无土”配置中。Mi-Hy系统将调节氮素形态，植物根部微生物群优化氮素吸收，并动员磷，从而避免对化学肥料的需求。这个循环的、可持续的平台将碳转化为生物质，并从废水中回收氮。生物发电生物电化学系统(BES)微生物燃料电池(MFC)平台通过共享微生物群连接在一起：i)优化为以1 mW/1ml原料从废水中发电(为MFC设定了新的基准)；ii)驱动特定波长的LED以优化光合作用；iii)能够利用相邻的MFC来恢复有用的生物分子，以调节执行微生物电合成(MES)的主力微生物电解单元(MEC)的氧化还原电位。这一新颖的发展将MFC和MEC结合在一起。由于它们共享共同的微生物成分，它们可以在不需要外部(基于化石燃料的)能源的情况下进行技术组合。为了实现这一目标，Mi-Hy的目标是利用代谢工程在野生型共生菌中设计生物膜。这种下一代水培系统在不久的将来将在农业和城市环境中得到应用。它提供了智能、分散、低功耗的数字基础设施和可持续的有机解决方案，这些解决方案与城市和气候适应(城市农业、精确园艺、废水处理、能源生产、合成高价值化合物，如维生素)的使命一致。MI-Hy还将邀请来自不同行业的设计师和利益相关者共同创建未来的应用程序。归根结底，它预期并促进一个更健康、可持续、以自然为基础的城市景观。

For the first time, Mi-Hy brings together Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology and hydroponics, thereby introducing a prosthetic rhizosphere (an extended rhizosphere community) to the typically “soil-less” configuration of hydroponics systems. The Mi-Hy system will modulate nitrogen forms, plant root microbiomes optimise nitrogen uptake, and mobilise phosphorous, averting the need for chemical fertilisers. This circular, sustainable platform turns carbon into biomass and reclaims nitrogen from wastewater streams. Linked through shared microbiomes, the bioelectricity generating Bioelectrochemical System (BES) Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) platform is: i) optimised to generate electricity from wastewater at 1mW/1mL feedstock (setting a new benchmark for MFCs); ii) driving wavelength-specific LEDs to optimize photosynthesis; iii) capable of recovering useful biomolecules using adjacent MFCs to modulate the redox potential of a workhorse Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) performing microbial electro synthesis (MES). This novel development brings together MFCs & MECs. Since these share common microbial constituents, they can be technologically combined without the need for external, (fossil-fuel based) energy sources. To achieve this goal, Mi-Hy aimsto design biofilms using metabolic engineering in wild type symbiotic strains. This next-generation hydroponics system has near-future applications in agriculture and in the urban environment. It delivers a smart, decentralized, low power digital infrastructure with sustainable organic solutions, which are in line with the ambitions of the Missions Cities & Climate adaptation (urban agriculture, precision gardening, wastewater treatments, energy generation,synthesis of high value compounds e.g., vitamins). Mi-Hy will also invite designers and stakeholders from various sectors to co-create future applications. Ultimately, it anticipates and facilitates a healthier, sustainable, nature-based urban landscape.