title: A logical data representation framework for electricity-driven bioproduction processes.
abstract: Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a process that uses electricity as an energy source for driving the production of chemicals and fuels using microorganisms and CO2 or organics as carbon sources. The development of this highly interdisciplinary technology on the interface between biotechnology and electrochemistry requires knowledge and expertise in a variety of scientific and technical areas. The rational development and commercialization of MES can be achieved at a faster pace if the research data and findings are reported in appropriate and uniformly accepted ways. Here we provide a framework for reporting on MES research and propose several pivotal performance indicators to describe these processes. Linked to this study is an online tool to perform necessary calculations and identify data gaps. A key consideration is the calculation of effective energy expenditure per unit product in a manner enabling cross comparison of studies irrespective of reactor design. We anticipate that the information provided here on different aspects of MES ranging from reactor and process parameters to chemical, electrochemical, and microbial functionality indicators will assist researchers in data presentation and ease data interpretation. Furthermore, a discussion on secondary MES aspects such as downstream processing, process economics and life cycle analysis is included.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: sunil.patil@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Sunil A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gildemyn
authors.affiliation: Separation and Conversion Technologies, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pant
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kogle Allé 6, Hørsholm 2970, Denmark.
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zengler
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: korneel.rabaey@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Korneel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rabaey
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D001709:Biotechnology; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design
keywords: Bioelectrochemical systems; Cathode; Microbial electrochemical technologies; Microbial electrosynthesis; Performance indicators; Process parameters; Reactor parameters