Projects

BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Invention and development of the BioGenerator

Since it is a completely new concept in power generation, the first thing we had to do was to name it. We chose BioGenerator. Since the BioGenerator is a bio-electro-chemical device, the following research topics are involved:

  • membrane research and development - open research position
  • development of 3D electrodes - open research position
  • development of non-noble metal electrocatalysts
  • kinetics and catalysis of the anodic and cathodic reactions
  • optimization of bipolar plate flow fields
  • bioreactor design
  • biokinetics of chemolithoautotrophs (such as Acidithiobacillus and Leptospirillum)
  • oxygen mass transfer in bioreactors
  • mathematical modeling

Invention of novel types of bioreactors

  • inverse fluidized bed bioreactor
  • immobilized solids bioreactor
  • rotating fibrous bioreactor

Extending the limits of life

It has been shown for a first time that:

  • microorganisms can use zero-valence metals as a direct electron donor
  • microorganisms can use anodic electrons as a sole energy source

FLUID FLOW

Fundamentals of multiphase systems

Three of my equations are used in the Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook:

  • for calculation of the terminal velocity of freefalling solid particles (replacing Newton's and Stokes equations)
  • for calculation of the terminal velocity of free rising buoyant solid particles
  • for calculation of the terminal velocity of free rising gas bubbles