bei — biological — engineering — institute — clean biofuels and energy independence a...
TRANSCRIPT
BEI — Biological — Engineering — Institute —
Clean Biofuels and Energy Independence
a presentation by
+ nancy ouyang+ grant robinson
for20.020
(Introduction to Biological Engineering Design)
Three Ideas Presentation: Spring 2010
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Fossil Fuel Disaster Peak Oil Global Warming
Looming Energy Crisis
Economic Depression Political Conflicts
Dirty & Limited vs.
Clean & Independent Stay the Course... Go Green!
The Twenty-First Century Challenge
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Economic Productivity Carbon Neutrality "Limitless" Energy Energy Independence Catastrophe Aversion Improved
Understanding of Biology
Benefits of Biological Energy
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Synthetic Algae Fuel
Microbe Modification Q Pathway Isolation
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Synthetic Algae Fuel
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Benefits Potential to be an incredible fuel.
30 times the oil content of plants like soybeans. Material for ethanol/butanol production. Grow about 20 to 30 times faster than plants.
Produced one of two ways.
Open ponds and closed photobioreactors. Open means cheaper and easier to scale up. Closed means more controllable and better for
us!
Known Importance
Biotechnology companies abound. Basic research abounds. DARPA is investing in a radical algae jet fuel
idea.
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Possibilities One: Contamination Safeguard
Transgenic resistance to lowered pH or waste water conditions
Two: Photosynthetic Efficiency
Genetic reduction of antenna chlorophyll concentration to maximize productivity
Three: Algal Recovery
Flotation and filaments for speedy recovery
Four: Oil Production
Modification of algae to produce lipids and hydrocarbons during growth periods
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Competition Dozens of biofuel
companies. Ethanol: corn and sugar
cane. Oil: fossil fuels and digestion. Solar and wind platforms.
Unknowns Issues with modification
approval. Issues with producing viable
mutants. Issues with oil and survival. Issues with structural
modification. Issues with pond/reactor
upkeep.
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Already possible...
Anaerobic fermentation to produce Biogas
Economically feasible even with unmodified bacteria
High-efficiency, require complicated processes
Acidogenic bacteria that convert ferment and produce H2
Genus Clostridium high efficiency
Still relatively low production, not economical
Directly produce/excrete fuels (see Q bacteria)
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Possibilities Genetically engineer bacteria to produce:
Hydrocarbons (Fuel) Hydrogen Methane (Biogas)
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Specifically Genetically engineer
bacteria Increase rate of production
Biogas:
Cold-resistant bacteria Produce less CO2 (purer
biogas / CH4) More tolerant of different
kinds of inputs Reduce water
requirement Hydrogen:
Increase yields
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Unknowns Allow competing
bacteria to thrive?
Require carefully controlled (i.e. expensive) bioreactors?
Competitions
Existing infrastructure for biogas
Chemical synthesis
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Background
Found in Massachusetts (Quabbin Lake)
Capable of Sugar -> Ethanol Digestion
Revolutionizing Biomass Fuel
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Possibility: Degradation Pathway Isolation
Find genetic/enzymatic basis for
conversion
Design a plasmid for biofuel modification
Impact of Pathway Isolation
Cellulose breakdown
Direct ethanol production
Time & cost savings
Engineering benefits
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Competition No competitors per se Competitors of biofuel
Unknowns Which enzymes? Which genes? Patented genes? Issues with
expression
1. Algae2. Microbes 3. Q BacteriaBEI20.020 -- 3 Ideas
Importance
Knowns
Ideas &Impacts
Competition& Unknowns
Bibliography http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/4178161974/sizes/o/ Background image http://www.krr.org/renewablefp.com/graphix/algae.jpg Algae Image http://www.climatechangesocialchange.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/renewable-energy-in-tourism.jpg Plants
http://www.ecosumo.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/peakoil.jpg Peak Oil http://www.dailygalaxy.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/02/microbes.jpg Microbe Image
http://www.biorays.com/user/cimage/Bio-Energy-Sphere-Logo.jpg Second Logo http://www.stmichaelsyork.org/cps/images/stories/socialaction/recycle.jpg Recycle Logo http://www.rudekinc.com/algae_1.jpg Raceway Pond http://www.technologyreview.in/files/33702/qteros_x220.jpg Q Action http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/q_to_the_rescue/ Q Background http://www.technolog.it.umn.edu/technolog/issues/fall2004/genome2.jpg Genome Image p://blogs.reuters.com/environment/files/2007/10/algae.jpg Algae Arrays http://www.scharfphoto.com/fine_art_prints/archives/199812-026-Staph-Bacteria.jpg Final Image http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/03/AR2008010303907.html Algae Background http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5196HB20090210?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 Algae Back http://www.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/123195764/PDFSTART Main Algae Article http://www.images.clipartof.com/small/24246-Clipart-Illustration-Of-An-Uncertain-Lime-Green-Man-And-Child-
Standing-At-A-Wooden-Post-Trying-To-Decide-Which-Direction-To-Go-At-A-Crossroads.jpg Decide
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/2126204366/ Microscrope Green http://nasdrovya.blogspot.com/2009/04/bio-digester.html Biogas http://www.flickr.com/photos/robven/459001652/ Cyanobacteria Petri http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdepaz/3372727630/ Microbes Mobile Petri