Workshop: Engineering Biology Solutions for Energy and Power Challenges
Abstract
Nature has evolved efficient and elegant mechanisms for light harvesting, electron transport and energy conversion. In addition, natural systems routinely assemble intricate nanoscale structures and complex materials. Taking inspiration from natural phenomena thus enables us to develop solutions to a wide range of challenges in the energy and power space. For example, the field of electrosynbionics involves the creation of engineered devices that use components derived from or inspired by biology to generate electricity, with or without energy storage. ONRG and other defense funders (such as Dstl in the UK) have funded successful projects addressing such goals.Biotechnology approaches can also be used to recover precious metals from lithium-ion batteries and biohybrid approaches are receiving increasing attention for applications such as artificial photosynthesis. In 2018, a US-DoD workshop explored the #future directions of synthetic biology for energy and power# but the field has progressed considerably in the intervening years and the time is right for a new workshop to discuss #what next#.I propose to host a two-day workshop in Edinburgh in May/June 2025 for approximately 35 people who are interested in the use of engineering biology to solve challenges in the area of power and energy.The aims of the workshop are:(1) To use the collective expertise of attendees to (a) analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threatsfor the development of engineering biology solutions to energy and power problems, (b) establish whether new methodologies or standards are needed for testing engineering biology technologies in the energy and power space, with particular reference to defense/naval applications.(2) To encourage the growth of a vibrant international community dedicated to the development of engineering biologyfor energy and power technologies by (a) delivering structured networking opportunities (b) discussing needs for resources, facilities, activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 12, 2025
- Source ID
- N629092512015
Entities
People
- Katherine Dunn
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Edinburgh