Transforming Living Materials into Chemical Reactors

Fang Qian | 19-ERD-005

Executive Summary

We will develop a new bioreactor concept by directly printing living microorganisms into chemical reactors for converting methane gas into high-value product streams. If successful, the living bioreactor will improve the gas-liquid interfacial mass-transfer rates that limit stirred-tank reactors currently in use and could lead to a paradigm shift in how biology is used in industrial settings.

Publications, Presentations, and Patents

Qian, F., et al. 2019. "Direct Writing of Tunable Living Inks for Bioprocess Intensification." Nano Letters19:5829-5835. doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b00066. LLNL-JRNL-753559.