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Kurzfassung

Our innovation presents an electrode for hydrogen and oxygen production in (bio)reactors.

We are offering an all-in-one device that produces a precisely tunable amount of hydrogen/oxygen through water electrolysis and allows a very fine distribution within the reactor. The existing and fully-operative prototype has already been tested in biocultures, yielding excellent results.

We offer a polyvalent and robust tool for the redox control of the reaction medium in bioreactors as well as in abiotic reaction milieus, which offers promising possibilities of optimization of industrial bioprocesses and even abiotic reactions.

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Hintergrund

Electrochemical bioprocesses allow the biosynthesis of high-value products as a result of activities of biocatalysts like enzymes and cells. These processes are rapidly gaining relevance due to their increasing number of applications.

The yield of the reactions taking place in the bioreactor can be regulated through the adjustment of H₂ or O₂ concentration in the reaction milieu. Indeed, the electrochemical control of the reactor allows a very fine tuning of the reaction conditions.

We have developed a new type of All-In-One electrode for in situ generation of H₂ and O₂, for indirect electricity-driven biosynthesis and for the control of redox potential in bioprocesses involving microorganisms and enzymes.

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Bilder & Videos

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Lösung

A double-chambered electrode is designed for a flexible electrochemical splitting of water. The two internal electrodes are isolated by a ceramic membrane. All the components are integrated within a
single casing, which can be coupled to the reactor using a regular 19 mm connection.

Polarisation changes allow the alternative generation of an oxidative or reductive reaction medium with a single tool. Due to the reduced space between the chambers, the pH remains constant, avoiding undesired fluctuations.

The prototype has been successfully tested on fermentations involving Clostridium pasteurianum in a 1,2 L reactor.

The conditions are fully controllable, since the electrode provides a substrate-independent electron
source. Several electrodes can be used in parallel, allowing fully adaptation to the reactor and the
bioprocess and enabling the upscaling of the process.

These features define a robust and versatile tool to directly influence the biocatalysts and optimise the process yield.

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Vorteile

Our electrode represents a simple and smart solution to in situ H₂ and O₂ generation, redox potential control in the reaction, avoidance of the use of expensive membranes and pH variations when applying high voltage for electro-biosynthesis.

The control of the reaction based on electrolytic processes allows the quantitative generation of H₂ or O₂
and a very efficient distribution within the reactor.

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Anwendungsbereiche

Due to its simple working principle, based on water splitting, our new electrode is a general and versatile tool for uses in a large number of biosynthetic processes, such as:

 

• Aerobic and anaerobic cultures
• Enzyme-based processes
• Production of fine chemicals
• Production of biofuel
• Application in abiotic reactors

On top of these applications, our electrode is easily converted into an electrodialysis unit. This can allow the removal of organic acids from the bioprocess.

The size of the electrode, not larger than a regular pH sensor, makes it optimal for its direct implementation in existing reactors.

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Service

• R&D Cooperation
• Licensing
• Transfer of rights