Most of the time we associate bacteria with illnesses, but this is just only a part of the story. Throughout history, scientists, brewers, and farmers managed to utilize microbes for a variety of products, such as beer, wine, insulin, medications, and biofuels etc. Therefore, bacteria can also be seen as micro-factories and they can be applied in many different ways. NanoFront PhD student Benjamin Lehner works on the utilization and modification of bacteria, Shewanella oneidensis and Escherichia coli to be precise, to produce and extract materials. Breakthroughs in the production of graphene as well as in the extraction of elements directly from ores can help to establish a more environmentally friendly future for nanotechnology as well as in space exploration. 

To read the full factsheet, click here.

About NanoFront Factsheets
In order to encourage PhD students and postdocs to highlight the valorisation potential of their work towards potential users from industry as well showcase the importance of their work towards society, the NanoFront Steering Committee financially supports the creation of factsheets on the valorisation potential of their research. The knowlegde valorisation factsheets are published online here and forwarded to our contacts in industry. Interested in writing a factsheet about your research?