Bacteria turn renewable raw materials into hydrogen and electricity
MSc (Tech) Marika Nissilä’s doctoral dissertation explores the sustainable production of biohydrogen, bioelectricity and bioalcohols from cellulosic materials.Nissilä’s research results demonstrate that the highest overall energy yields can be obtained by producing simultaneously either hydrogen and methane or electricity and butanol.
Meeting future energy needs becomes increasingly challenging as the global population expands. Renewable alternatives are needed to replace fossil fuels that accelerate climate change. Micro-organisms are a viable source of renewable energy and have already been harnessed to produce methane.
Nissilä used fermentation processes to convert cellulosic materials, such as pulp and silage, into hydrogen and optimized the process conditions to ensure maximum energy yield. Her results can be used to determine the optimal bacterial cultures and process conditions, once the production of hydrogen from cellulosic materials starts on an industrial scale.
In addition, micro-organisms can be used to produce bioelectricity in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Nissilä found that the highest energy yields can be achieved through the simultaneous production of electricity and ethanol/butanol.
Public defence of a doctoral dissertation on Friday, 11 January
The doctoral dissertation of MSc (Tech) Marika Nissilä in the field of environmental bioengineering titled "Biohydrogen, Bioelectricity and Bioalcohols from Cellulosic Materials" will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Tampere University of Technology (TUT) in room Pieni Sali 1 in the Festia building (address: Korkeakoulunkatu 8, Tampere, Finland) at 12:00 on Friday, 11 January.
The opponent will be Professor Jo-Shu Chang (National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan). Professor Jaakko Puhakka from the Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering will act as Chairman.
Marika Nissilä (28) comes from Rauma, Finland, and works as a researcher at the Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering of TUT.
Further information:
Marika Nissilä, tel. +358 40 198 1193, ">marika.nissila@tut.fi
The dissertation is available online at: http://URN.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-15-3000-5