Difference between revisions of "Team:ShanghaitechChina"

The sun-powered biofilm-interfaced artificial hydrogen-producing system harnesses the energy from sun light. Biofilm-anchored nanorods (NRs) can efficiently convert photons to electrons, which seamlessly tap into the electron chain of engineered strain carrying FeFe hydrogenase gene cluster, thereby achieving high-efficiency hydrogen production. Furthermore, immobilized on biofilms, NRs wouldn't cause damage and pressure to host and surrounding cells typically associated with traditional bacterial-based artificial photosynthesis system. In addition, the intrinsic adherence of biofilms towards various interfaces allows us to grow biofilms on easy-separation micro-beads, therefore facilitating recyclable usage of the biofilm-anchored NRs and endowing this whole system with recyclability.

Biofilms function as a platform to sustain the whole system in vitro. Biofilms-anchored nanorods can efficiently convert photons to electrons, which transfer to engineered strain producing FeFe hydrogenase gene cluster, thereby achieving high-efficiency in biohydrogen production. Biofilms can immobilize NRs firmly so that they prevent potential damage and pressure caused by free NRs, as is the case in traditional artificial photosynthesis system.  In addition, a brilliant traits, the intrinsic adherence of biofilms towards various interfaces, allows us to grow biofilms on easy-separation micro-beads. Based on those merits, biofilm stand out by facilitating recyclable usage of the biofilm-anchored NRs and endowing this whole system with recyclability.