Arizona State University

Northwestern University

Other

Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.

Arizona Science and Technology Enterprises LLC

Bruce E Rittmann

Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown

César I Torres

Robert Nerenberg

Cesar Torres

Sudeep Popat

Prathap Parameswaran

Justin Flory

Hyung-Sool Lee

Jennifer Cowman

Klaus Lackner

Junseok Chae

Allen Wright

Youneng Tang

David A Stahl

Zhaocheng Wang

Jacques Manem

Everett Eustance

Michael Marsolek

Tarun Shesh

Megha Patel

Yen-Jung Lai

Chen Zhou

Husen Zhang

Andrew Marcus

John Dibaise

Aura Ontiveros-Valencia

Yihao Luo

Seokheun Choi

Diana Calvo Martinez

Vincent Urbain

Michael Crowell

Emmanuelle Guillot

Jodi Flax

Micha&euml;l Wagner

Kuan-Chun Lee

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for removing trichloroethane (TCA), trichloroethene (TCE), and 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D) from contaminated liquids. The system and methods rely on catalyst reduction of TCA and TCE, where the reduced products are then degraded by microorganisms The system comprises a first reactor comprising a catalyst film of precious metal nanoparticles deposited on a first nonporous membrane and a second reactor comprising a biofilm of microorganisms that are capable of degrading ethane and 1,4-D deposited on a second nonporous membrane. The first reactor further comprises a hydrogen gas source, wherein the hydrogen gas source delivers hydrogen to the gas-phase side of the first nonporous membrane, and the catalyst film is deposited on the liquid-phase side. The second reactor further comprises an oxygen gas source, wherein the oxygen gas source delivers oxygen to the gas-phase side of the second non-porous membrane, and the biofilm is deposited on the liquid-phase side.

Methods and systems for removing trichloroethane, trichloroethene, and 1,4-dioxane from contaminated water and wastewater

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for membrane carbonation for cultivating microalgae and other microorganisms that utilize a gaseous substrate, as well as to upgrade the quality of mixed-gas streams.

Method and system for membrane carbonation

The present invention relates to systems and methods for removing and recovering precious metals, such as platinum-group metals (PGMs), including palladium, from wastewater and waste streams. The invention also relates to systems and methods for recycling the recovered precious metals for catalytic applications.

Methods of recovering platinum group metals from waste streams

The present application focuses on systems and methods that utilize one or more carbon dioxide (CO) sorbent substrates and a swing cycle, e.g., a moisture swing cycle, to increase the partial pressure of the COin a gaseous feedstock, which is delivered through a membrane to a bioreactor, such as a membrane carbonation photobioreactor. Such systems and processes offer an effective means for concentrating and capturing COobtained from air and delivering the concentrated COto a photobioreactor through a membrane.

Systems and methods of atmospheric carbon dioxide enrichment and delivery to photobioreactors via membrane carbonation

The present disclosure is directed toward membrane biofilm reactors primarily comprising microorganisms that produce chemical fuel products or precursors thereof. Reactors of the present disclosure can primarily comprise acetogens, a methanotrophs, and/or

Membrane biofilm reactors, systems, and methods for producing organic products

A membrane biofilm reactor including a vessel defining a volume is disclosed. The reactor also typically includes a first and second plurality of hollow fiber membranes. Each hollow fiber membrane generally has an outer surface and a lumen, and is located within the volume. The reactor further preferably includes a first and second gas feedstock. The first gas feedstock is provided through a first inlet in fluid communication with the lumens of the first plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The second gas feedstock is provided through a second inlet in fluid communication with the lumens of the second plurality hollow fiber membranes. Finally, the reactor also typically includes a biofilm formed on the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes and made up of methanotrophs,, or both. The first gas feedstock is preferably different from the second gas feedstock.

The present invention provides for microbial compositions and methods for reducing the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the gut as a way to reduce energy uptake and manage obesity. More specifically, the invention provides for decreasing short-chain fatty acids available for absorption in the human gut, such as acetate, using one or more of: a probiotic including a homo-acetogenic, acetate oxidizing bacterium that converts acetate to H; a probiotic including an acetoclastic methanogen; a microbial electrolysis cell comprising a homo-acetogenic bacterium and/or an acetoclastic methanogen; a prebiotic that enhances the growth or function of acetate-scavenging microbiota; or a highly selective antibiotic that targets H-oxidizing methanogens.

Reducing short-chain fatty acids and energy uptake in obese humans by managing their intestinal microbial communities

A microbial electrolysis cell having a brush anode is described. A method of producing products, such as hydrogen, at the cathode of the microbial electrolysis cell is also provided. The microbial electrolysis cell is configured in a cylindrical shape having an anode, cathode and anion exchange membrane all disposed concentrically. A brush anode spirally wound around the outside of the cylindrical microbial electrolysis cell is described. The method may include sparging the anode and/or cathode with air in some cases. In addition, CO-containing gas may be injected into a cathode chamber to reduce pH is some cases.

Microbial electrolysis cells and methods for the production of chemical products

The present invention relates generally to a process that helps alleviate the pH gradient between anode and cathode compartments in any biological fuel cell or electrolytic cell configuration in which a pH gradient between anode and cathode is limiting the voltage efficiency. By providing acid to the cathode compartment in the form of CO, the pH gradient is reduced and voltage efficiency and power output are increased. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide produced in the anode chamber is recycled to the cathode chamber.

Bicarbonate and carbonate as hydroxide carriers in a biological fuel cell

A microbial fuel cell includes an anode portion having an anode and a cathode portion having a cathode. The anode is configured to support an electrically conductive biofilm matrix. A cation exchange membrane is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The anode portion and the cation exchange membrane define an anode chamber having a volume of between about 1 &#x3bc;L and about 100 &#x3bc;L and configured to receive an anolyte. The cathode portion and the cation exchange membrane define a cathode chamber having a volume of between about 1 &#x3bc;L and about 100 &#x3bc;L and configured to receive a catholyte. The microbial fuel cell is configured to achieve a Coulombic efficiency of at least 30% and/or a power density of at least of 4.7 &#x3bc;W/cm. The microbial fuel cell is a microelectromechanical system and can be fabricated in an automated production process.

Micro-sized microbial fuel cell

A method, apparatus, and system for removing contaminants from a body of surface water. The method and apparatus may include tubular members such as hollow-fiber components. The tubular members have a reactive gas diffused through wall of the member. Contaminants in the water can be removed when the reactive gas reacts with bacteria on the tubular member.

Method and system for surface water treatment

Systems and methods are provided for intimately coupling advanced oxidation process (AOP) with biodegradation for the treatment of contaminated water. The system comprises a particulate bed having carrier particles that have a microbial film effective for biodegrading contaminants in the contaminated water. An advanced oxidation reagent is irradiated by a radiation source to provide an advanced oxidation reagent effective for oxidizing recalcitrant compounds in the contaminated water to form biodegradable byproducts. The microbial film is effective for biodegrading the byproducts substantially immediately after they are produced. The carrier particles are also effective for protecting the microbial film from the radiation and/or the recalcitrant compounds.

Intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation in a photocatalytic circulating-bed biofilm reactor

An apparatus and method for treatment of water borne oxidized contaminants, using hydrogen as an electron donor for denitrification and reduction of other oxidized contaminants. Preliminary results reported here show that a biofilm of autotrophic denitrifiers accumulates rapidly in the wastewater setting, the MBfR can drive NOconcentrations below 1 mgN/L, and the Hpressure controls the NOflux.

Apparatus and methods for water treatment

A method and related apparatus for oxidation and reduction of a reduced aqueous nitrogen contaminant.

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Evanston, IL, United States of America

Bruce E Rittmann