Cornell researchers develop engineered electroactive microbes to better produce biofuels

In New York state, researchers from Cornell University say engineered electroactive microbes borrowing an electron from solar or wind electricity and using the energy to break apart carbon dioxide molecules from the air can then take the carbon atoms to make biofuels, such as isobutanol or propanol. These synthetic or non-biological electrically engineered elements could boost the efficiency of fuel production from just making microbes, but in order to reduce inefficiencies from too many options, the researcher’s recent study also helps determine the best design based on needs.