Alternative Energy Research: Microbial Hydrogen Production
Microorganisms posses the greatest metabolic diversity of any group of organisms on earth. As such, they may hold the keys to relieving our dependence on foreign oil and suppling our societies energy needs via clean and renewable bio-fuels. For example, Ethanol, a popular bio-fuel made form corn, must be converted from complex carbohydrates, to simple sugars, and then fermented to ethanol; all processes that can be or are mediated by microorganisms and/or their enzymes. Although ethanol production is rapidly increasing in the US, and globally, other fuel sources, such as hydrogen, will be required to maintain our energy demanding economy into the future. Many photoheterotrophic microorganisms produce Hydrogen gas (H2)while metabolizing organic substrates when grown under the right conditions. In our lab we are exploring the ability of photoheterotrophic microorganisms to produce Hydrogen gas from waste water streams rich in organic matter. The goals of this research are to develop a better understanding of the controls on this type of metabolism, isolate and identify novel microbial species from extreme and more mundane environments able to produce hydrogen from waste water, and engineer wastewater treatment systems that produce hydrogen as a product. Hydrogen produced by such a system can then be used to produce electricity in a fuel cell. This research could lead to inexpensive fuel production while simultaneously treating waste waters. Further, this process is driven by the collection of solar energy by the microorganisms and as such constitutes one of the new frontiers in solar energy research.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoheterotrophshapeimage_2_link_0
Currently seeking MS students for this research area. Click here to send Dr. Feris an email to inquire.