Microbial electrosynthesis- biotechnology for a sustainable future
PhD defence, Thursday 23 March 2023, Laura Daniela Muñoz Duarte
During her PhD studies, Laura Muñoz investigated the mechanism used by acetogenic bacteria to obtain electrons from electrodes in Microbial electrosynthesis (MES). MES is a biotechnology used to store energy produced by renewable energy sources and to reduce carbon dioxide. Through this process, acetogenic bacteria convert carbon dioxide into valuable multicarbon compounds, like acetate or ethanol, using electrical power provided through a cathode.
Laura studied the role of H2 formed on the cathodic surface as an intermediate on the electron uptake by acetogenic bacteria, and how the H2 consumption characteristics influence their performance on MES.
Laura studied the role of H2 formed on the cathodic surface as an intermediate on the electron uptake by acetogenic bacteria, and how the H2 consumption characteristics influence their performance on MES.
This research aims to contribute to the optimization of MES to become a competitive technology.
The PhD study was completed at the Biological and Chemical engineering department, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.
This summary was prepared by the PhD student.
Time: Thursday, 23rd March 2023 at 13:00
Place: Building 3130, room 303, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Title of PhD thesis: H2 consumption characteristics of acetogenic bacteria and their relevance for microbial electrosynthesis.
Contact information: Laura Daniela Muñoz Duarte, e-mail: laura.munoz@bce.au.dk , tel: +4593522185
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Amelia-Elena Rotaru, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
Assistant Professor Ludovic Jourdin, Department of Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering section, Technical University of Delft, Netherlands
Associate Professor Clarissa Schwab, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark (chair)
Main supervisor:
Assistant Professor Jo Philips, Department of Biological and Chemical engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Michael Vedel Wegener Kofoed, Department of Biological and Chemical engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English.
The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS,
Jens Baggesens Vej 53, building 5221, 8200 Aarhus N.