A bacterium has been discovered that converts methane into electricity. Free Technical Library News

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Bacteria found that converts methane into electricity

02.05.2022

Microbiologists at the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands have found that the bacterium Candidatus Methanoperedens is capable of converting methane into usable energy. With the help of it, scientists managed to turn 31% of harmful gas into electricity.

The bacterium Candidatus Methanoperedens belongs to anaerobic methanotrophic archaea - microbes that can survive in the most extreme conditions, even where there is no oxygen. These bacteria are found in fresh water polluted with nitrogen, such as ditches and lakes. They need nitrate to break down methane.

Researchers have created something like a battery with two "terminals": one of them is biological, and the other is chemical. Candidatus Methanoperedens was grown on one of the electrodes, where bacteria began to donate electrons that arose due to the splitting of methane. So it was possible to achieve the conversion of 31% of the produced methane into electricity.

So far, the efficiency of the method is not high, but it can be increased in the course of further experiments.

"This can be very beneficial for the energy sector and the environment. In biogas plants, methane is produced by microorganisms and then burned, which drives a turbine. Less than half of the biogas is converted into electricity, and this is the maximum achievable capacity. We want to assess whether it is realistic achieve more," study co-author Cornelia Velte explained.

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Artificial photosynthesis system for methane production 23.12.2013

Panasonic does more than just produce electronic products. One of the areas of its activity is also promising alternative energy. For a long time, the Japanese manufacturer has been working on the study of artificial photosynthesis. And in early December, the work was crowned with significant success. Researchers have invented a system capable of generating methane from water and carbon dioxide using solar energy.

As part of the exhibition of green technologies Eco-Products 2013, Panasonic presented its development to the public for the first time. Details of the novelty are not disclosed, although the source published an image of the system showing some of its main parts. To date, the installation efficiency is 0,04% (the ratio of the total energy of synthesized methane to the consumed solar energy). To commercialize the development, it is enough to increase this value to 1%. It should be noted that earlier Panasonic already had a successful experience in designing an artificial photosynthesis system for the production of formic acid.

The Panasonic project is indicative and clearly reflects the Japanese government policy aimed at supporting green technologies in every possible way. In 2012, several government projects were opened one after another in Japan to accelerate the study and development of artificial photosynthesis.

Projects are coordinated by the Director of the Photosynthesis Research Center at the University of Tokyo.

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