Fuel from Bacteria, CO2, Water, and Solar Energy
Technology Description:
Harvard University is engineering a self-contained, scalable electrofuels production system that can directly generate liquid fuels from bacteria, carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and sunlight. Harvard is genetically engineering bacteria called Shewanella, so the bacteria can sit directly on electrical conductors and absorb electrical current. This current, which is powered by solar panels, gives the bacteria the energy they need to process CO2 into liquid fuels. The Harvard team pumps this CO2 into the system, in addition to water and other nutrients needed to grow the bacteria. Harvard is also engineering the bacteria to produce fuel molecules that have properties similar to gasoline or diesel fuel—making them easier to incorporate into the existing fuel infrastructure. These molecules are designed to spontaneously separate from the water-based culture that the bacteria live in and to be used directly as fuel without further chemical processing once they’re pumped out of the tank.
Potential Impact:
If successful, Harvard would create a liquid transportation fuel that is cost competitive with traditional gasoline-based fuels and 10 times more efficient than existing biofuels.
Security:
Cost-competitive electrofuels would help reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil and increase the nation’s energy security.
Environment:
Widespread use of electrofuels would help limit greenhouse gas emissions and reduce demands for land, water, and fertilizer traditionally required to produce biofuels.
Economy:
A domestic electrofuels industry could contribute tens of billions of dollars to the nation’s economy. Widespread use of electrofuels could also help stabilize gasoline prices—saving drivers money at the pump.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Ramon Gonzalez
Project Contact:
Dr. Pamela Silver
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
pamela_silver@hms.harvard.edu
Related Projects
Release Date:
02/07/2009