Solar-driven synthesis of proteins and lipids via photoelectrochemistry of living organismsbroad
SOLARSPOON · Horizon Europe grant · 2025-11-01–2029-10-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01 · scheme HORIZON-EIC · topic HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-01. CORDIS record →
Objective
Biohybrid systems offer unique energy-efficient routes to harness solar energy for the fixation of CO2 and nitrogen into valuable, complex molecules. This project will integrate living photosynthetic bacteria and food-producing autotrophic bacteria into stand-alone photoelectrochemical devices tailored for the direct production of proteins and lipids from sunlight, air and water. Cyanobacteria will supply electrons via light-driven water oxidation, organic dyes will provide these electrons with sufficient energy to generate substrates that would directly feed either a culture or a consortia of food producing microorganisms in the same device. The result will be the demonstration of the first direct conversion of CO2 and N2 from air to protein- or lipid-rich food materials using solar energy, with the aim to produce a prototype that can reach 1% solar-conversion efficiency or surpass present food production processes via agriculture.Our bioengineering efforts will focus on three key innovations: (i) overcoming complex electron transfer pathway barriers at the cell-electrode interface, aided by the coupling of electrode engineering with advanced modelling of the interface; (ii) expanding the range of Solar-to-X products to two essential food groups (proteins and lipids), enabled by the formation of novel microbial consortia on redox polymer films that mitigate their conflicting microenvironment needs; and iii) device engineering that synergizes the different outputs and needs of the bio-anode and cathode whilst also facilitating easy food-product collection. The delivery of our envisioned Solar-to-Food devices will open the door to re-imagining sustainable food production for off-grid locations, kitchens in future households and spaceships. Current food industries, such as our partner Solar Foods, would be an immediate benefactor. Our envisioned solar-to-lipids production process could be a stepping stone to fuels production lines of the future.
Beneficiaries (5)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE | UK | coordinator | €1,103,810 | |
| TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN | DE | participant | €827,020 | |
| SOLAR FOODS OYJ | FI | participant | €702,500 | Yes |
| DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET | DK | participant | €698,002 | |
| IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE | UK | participant | €668,400 |
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