Editor’s recommendation: The use of bacteria should be possible to purify the environment of greenhouse gases while generating electricity. In a new publication, microbiologists at Radboud University demonstrate that it is possible to make methane-consuming bacteria generate electricity in the laboratory. The research will be published April 12 in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
Using bacteria to generate electricity while purifying the environment of greenhouse gases should be possible. In a new publication, microbiologists at the University of Nejmegen in the Netherlands demonstrate that it is possible to make methane-consuming bacteria generate electricity in the laboratory. The research was published April 12 in Frontiers in Microbiology.
The bacterium, Candida methanotrophs, grows on methane and occurs naturally in freshwater such as ditches and lakes. In the Netherlands, the bacteria mostly grow where surface and groundwater is contaminated with nitrogen because they need nitrates to break down methane.
The researchers initially wanted to learn more about the transformation processes that take place in microbes. Also, they were curious if it was possible to use it to generate electricity. “This could be very useful for the energy sector,” says microbiologist and author Cornelia Welte. “In current biogas plants, methane is produced by microorganisms and then burned, which drives turbines that generate electricity. Less than half of the biogas is Converted to electricity, which is the maximum achievable capacity. We wanted to assess whether the microorganisms could be better utilized.”
A battery
Colleagues of microbiologists from Nijmegen have previously shown that it is possible to generate electricity using anammox bacteria, using ammonium instead of methane in the process. “The process is basically the same for these bacteria,” says microbiologist Heleen Ouboter. “We created a battery with two ends, one biological and one chemical. We cultured on one of the electrodes. Bacteria, which donate electrons from methane conversion to one of the electrodes.”
In this way, the researchers succeeded in removing 31 percent of the methane into electricity, but their goal is to increase efficiency. “We will continue to work on improving the system,” Welte said.