An international research team has posted progress in advancing a microbial means of carbon dioxide capture that could also lead to more eco-friendly fuel and chemical production routes. Specific enzymes are activated within microbial cells by use of light-activated quantum dots, leading to the formation of nanobio-hybrid A gram of biodegradable plastic created by nanobio-hybrid microbes. Source: Nagpal Lab / University of Colorado BoulderA gram of biodegradable plastic created by nanobio-hybrid microbes. Source: Nagpal Lab / University of Colorado Boulderorganisms that convert CO2 into biodegradable plastic, gasoline, ammonia and biodiesel.

On exposure to sunlight, specially configured nanoscopic quantum dots diffused into common microbial species in soil drove the renewable production of different biofuels and chemicals using CO2, water and nitrogen from air as substrates. No external source of energy or food is required to complete these energy-intensive biochemical processes.

The technique can be scaled as well as tuned to yield specific products: combinations of quantum dots and green wavelengths induce bacteria to consume nitrogen and produce ammonia while red wavelengths cause microbes to exploit CO2 and produce plastic. Biofuels produced include isopropanol, 2,3-butanediol and hydrogen; chemicals include formic acid, ammonia, ethylene and degradable bioplastics.

The researchers from University of Colorado Boulder, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Nottingham (U.K.) envision quantum dot-laden holding ponds receiving CO2 emissions from businesses and home owners, who would sell the microbially manufactured bioplastics for revenue while simultaneously cutting their own carbon footprints.

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