Recently, the research "Upgraded wastewater-energy-chemical nexus for wastewater" powered high-value chemical production" have been published by the team of Professor Yong Yangchun from our School. The microbial electrochemical system (MES) has shown great potential in the utilization of sewage resources. However, due to the thermodynamic and kinetic limitations of cathode catalysis, the diversity and product value of MES products are greatly restricted. In response to this key issue, the modified system uses microorganisms to release energy (anode) from sewage to provide power for enzyme-catalyzed production of high-value products (cathode). The hybrid design of MES overcomes the thermodynamic and kinetic limitations of the cathode, and increases the added value of the product by about 100 times compared with traditional MES products. It is the first to realize the conversion of sewage energy into high-value pharmaceutical chemicals. This research provides a new path for the high-value utilization of "wastewater-energy-medicine" for wastewater energy recovery, and provides new ideas for promoting the new pattern of "wastewater resource plant".

Links: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004221013729

DOI：10.1016/j.isci.2021.103401