

The EBR is based on an engineered photosynthetic bacterium, an organism that divides itself quickly. The technology combines plant enzymes with an efficient light-harvesting system that is found in abundance within these cells. The reactions from the combination of enzymes and bacteria result in fuel molecules that are foreign to the bacterium, which then expels them into a culture medium where they can be sequestered and separated from the fermentation broth. When it gets to that stage, the molecules can be used, without refining, as diesel surrogates in engines or generators.

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Because of its inherent mobility, the system would be ideal for military settings, humanitarian activities in emergency zones, native peoples' villages, and in any other remote setting. The same version of the system can be used for military and civilian purposes. It is estimated that one EBR can fuel a generator that can charge up to 60 light- to medium-duty electric vehicles per day, with an estimated daily range of 50 miles (80.4 km).

The EBR is past its development phase, so all the team needs to do now is to deal with integration and scale-up issues. The researchers anticipate only a small investment will be necessary, somewhere between US$2 and $3 million.

The Argonne National Laboratory is part of the US Department of Energy. It’s a multidisplinary project that works on pressing national issues related to science and technology.

In the video below Argonne bioscientist Phil Laible talks about the EBR and its applications.

Source: ANL