Researchers led by Dr. Lin Su at Queen Mary University of London have developed an integrated solar reactor that grows engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) while converting CO2 into usable energy using sunlight. This innovative technology combines an organic solar cell, semiconductor electrode, and enzymes to create a system that mimics natural photosynthesis without relying on plants or algae. The reactor operates by using sunlight to split water, releasing oxygen for the bacteria, while simultaneously capturing CO2 and converting it into formate, a small energy-carrying molecule. The bacteria then use this formate as fuel to grow, effectively turning CO2 into living biomass.

Dr. Su noted that previous attempts to create living biomass in solar reactors faced issues with toxic metal ions poisoning the bacteria. The successful integration of chemistry and biology in this reactor opens the door for producing not only biomass but also a variety of chemicals by easily swapping in different engineered E. coli strains. This research represents a significant step toward sustainable production technologies that could help mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.