Biological Hydrogen Production and Green Processes
PI: Devinder Mahajan
The discovery of microorganisms that can withstand temperatures up to 1 ao°c (high temperatures by biological standards) and pressures up to 10 MPa provides chemical engineers with rare opportunity to manipuiate biological systems for commercial applications. Production of H2 from CO2-neural systems remains a challenge. We are utilizing extremophiles such as Thermotoga neapolitana, to produce and sustain H2 under microaerobic conditions. Watersoluble catalysts are being developed that can efficiently utilize Hz produced by microbes to hydrogenate olefinic substrates. The goal is to establish mechanism of the coupled system and develop ultimate green processes. (BNL)