Abstract: Methods for synthesizing nanowires are provided. Modified PilA peptides are used as peptide building blocks for synthesizing the nanowires. The method places the peptide building blocks in an assembly buffer with a hydrophobe. Addition of a hydrophobe and molecular crowding by evaporation of the assembly buffer triggers the self-assembly of the peptide building blocks into fibers. Multiple elongation cycles of addition of peptide building blocks, mixing and evaporation are conducted to promote elongation of the fibers and synthesis of nanowires. Electronic characterization of the synthesized nanowires is provided.

Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems comprising a microbial fuel cell (MFC) or a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) are provided. Either type of system is capable of fermenting insoluble or soluble biomass, with the MFC capable of using a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) organism to also hydrolyze an insoluble biomass, and an electricigen to produce electricity. In contrast, the MEC relies on electricity input into the system, a fermentative organism and an electricigen to produce fermentative products such as ethanol and 1,3-propanediol from a polyol biomass (e.g., containing glycerol). Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing nanowires are provided. Modified PilA peptides are used as peptide building blocks for synthesizing the nanowires. The method places the peptide building blocks in an assembly buffer with a hydrophobe. Addition of a hydrophobe and molecular crowding by evaporation of the assembly buffer triggers the self-assembly of the peptide building blocks into fibers. Multiple elongation cycles of addition of peptide building blocks, mixing and evaporation are conducted to promote elongation of the fibers and synthesis of nanowires. Electronic characterization of the synthesized nanowires is provided.

Abstract: Methods of making improved bioelectrodes are provided capable of functionalizing electrode materials in less than 24 hours. Pre-seeding the electrode with electricigenic microbes forms an electricigenic biofilm on the electrode to maximize surface coverage by electricigenic microbes and reduce the number of fastidious organisms. The method results in bioelectrodes that are functionalized in less than 24 hours and that can generate higher yields of current from a wide range of substrates. Methods for treating wastewater by removing fermentative inhibitors and generating current are provided. The bioelectrodes generated are tailored to efficiently oxidize substrates, such as the fermentative inhibitors, in the wastewater targeted for removal from the wastewater. Improved electrodes are generated rapidly with high coulombic efficiency. Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) containing the improved electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reference electrode electronically connected to each other; a first biocatalyst comprising a consolidated bioprocessing organism (e.g., a cellulomonad or clostridium or related strains, such as Cellulomonas uda (C. uda), Clostridium lentocellum (C. lentocellum), Acetivibrio celluloyticus (A. cellulolyticus) Clostridium cellobioparum (C. cellobioparum), alcohol-tolerant C. cellobioparum, alcohol-tolerant C. uda, and combinations thereof) capable of fermenting biomass (e.g., cellulosic biomass or glycerin-containing biomass) to produce a fermentation byproduct; and a second biocatalyst comprising an electricigen (e.g., Geobacter sulfurreducens) capable of transferring substantially all the electrons in the fermentation byproduct (e.g., hydrogen, one or more organic acids, or a combination thereof) to the anode electrode to produce electricity is disclosed.

Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems comprising a microbial fuel cell (MFC) or a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) are provided. Either type of system is capable of fermenting insoluble or soluble biomass, with the MFC capable of using a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) organism to also hydrolyze an insoluble biomass, and an electricigen to produce electricity. In contrast, the MEC relies on electricity input into the system, a fermentative organism and an electricigen to produce fermentative products such as ethanol and 1,3-propanediol from a polyol biomass (e.g., containing glycerol). Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems comprising a microbial fuel cell (MFC) or a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) are provided. Either type of system is capable of fermenting insoluble or soluble biomass, with the MFC capable of using a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) organism to also hydrolyze an insoluble biomass, and an electricigen to produce electricity. In contrast, the MEC relies on electricity input into the system, a fermentative organism and an electricigen to produce fermentative products such as ethanol and 1,3-propanediol from a polyol biomass (e.g., containing glycerol). Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reference electrode electronically connected to each other; a first biocatalyst comprising a consolidated bioprocessing organism (e.g., a cellulomonad or clostridium or related strains, such as Cellulomonas uda (Cuda), Clostridum lentocellum (Clen), Acetivibrio cellulolyticus (A. cellulolyticus), Clostridium cellobioparum (C. cellobioparum), alcohol-tolerant C. cellobioparum, alcohol-tolerant Cuda, and combinations thereof) capable of fermenting biomass (e.g., cellulosic biomass or glycerin-containing biomass) to produce a fermentation byproduct; and a second biocatalyst comprising an electricigen (e.g., Geobacter sulfurreducens) capable of transferring substantially all the electrons in the fermentation byproduct (e.g., hydrogen, one or more organic acids, or a combination thereof) to the anode electrode to produce electricity is disclosed. Systems and methods related thereto are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reference electrode electronically connected to each other; a first biocatalyst comprising a consolidated bioprocessing organism (e.g., a cellulomonad or clostridium or related strains, such as Cellulomonas uda (C. uda), C. lentocellum, A. cellolulyticus, C. cellobioparum, alcohol-tolerant C. cellobioparum, alcohol-tolerant C. uda, Clostridium cellobioparum (C. cellobioparum) and combinations thereof) capable of fermenting biomass (e.g., cellulosic biomass or glycerin-containing biomass) to produce a fermentation byproduct; and a second biocatalyst comprising an electricigen (e.g., Geobacter sulfurreducens) capable of transferring substantially all the electrons in the fermentation byproduct (e.g., hydrogen, one or more organic acids, or a combination thereof) to the anode electrode to produce electricity is disclosed. Systems and methods related thereto are also disclosing a consolidated bioprocessing organism.

Abstract: Electrically conductive nanowires, and genetically or chemically modified production and use of such nanowires with altered conductive, adhesive, coupling or other properties are described. The disclosed nanowires are used as device or device components or may be adapted for soluble metal remediation.

Abstract: The application describes electrically conductive nanowires, as well as genetically and/or chemically modified nanowires with modified conductive, adhesive and/or coupling properties.

Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems comprising a microbial fuel cell (MFC) or a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) are provided. Either type of system is capable of fermenting insoluble or soluble biomass, with the MFC capable of using a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) organism to also hydrolyze an insoluble biomass, and an electricigen to produce electricity. In contrast, the MEC relies on electricity input into the system, a fermentative organism and an electricigen to produce fermentative products such as ethanol and 1,3-propanediol from a polyol biomass (e.g., containing glycerol). Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: The application describes electrically conductive nanowires, as well as genetically and/or chemically modified nanowires with modified conductive, adhesive and/or coupling properties.

Abstract: The application describes electrically conductive nanowires, as well as genetically and/or chemically modified nanowires with modified conductive, adhesive and/or coupling properties.

Abstract: Electrically conductive nanowires, and genetically or chemically modified production and use of such nanowires with altered conductive, adhesive, coupling or other properties are described. The disclosed nanowires are used as device or device components or may be adapted for soluble metal remediation.

Abstract: A nanowire comprising a purified protein filament, such as a pilus, isolated from a bacterium, such as Geobacter sulfurreducens, is provided. Such a purified pilus can contain peptide subunits capable of assembling into the protein filament and establishing an electrical connection with an insoluble electron acceptor. The novel nanowires can be produced via a novel single step. Such nanowires are useful in applications requiring rectifying behavior.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reference electrode electronically connected to each other; a first biocatalyst comprising a consolidated bioprocessing organism (e.g., a cellulomonad or clostridium or related strains, such as Cellulomonas uda (C. uda), C. lentocellum, A. cellolulyticus, C. cellobioparum, alcohol-tolerant C. cellobioparum, alcohol-tolerant C. uda, Clostridium cellobioparum (C. cellobioparum) and combinations thereof) capable of fermenting biomass (e.g., cellulosic biomass or glycerin-containing biomass) to produce a fermentation byproduct; and a second biocatalyst comprising an electricigen (e.g., Geobacter sulfurreducens) capable of transferring substantially all the electrons in the fermentation byproduct (e.g., hydrogen, one or more organic acids, or a combination thereof) to the anode electrode to produce electricity is disclosed. Systems and methods related thereto are also disclosing a consolidated bioprocessing organism.

Abstract: The application describes electrically conductive nanowires, as well as genetically and/or chemically modified nanowires with modified conductive, adhesive and/or coupling properties.

Abstract: A nanowire comprising a purified protein filament, such as a pilus, isolated from a bacterium, such as Geobacter sulfurreducens, is provided. Such a purified pilus can contain peptide subunits capable of assembling into the protein filament and establishing an electrical connection with an insoluble electron acceptor. The novel nanowires can be produced via a novel single step. Such nanowires are useful in applications requiring rectifying behavior.

Abstract: Conductive nanowires, as are available from a range of bacteria species, methods of use and related device structures.