Circular Economy Research
To ensure a sustainable future for all, we need to change the way we think about our limited resources. Recycle, reuse and reduce are key to maintain these resources. There is a strong focus at Climate Positive Energy on circular economy. This is why we have supported various projects related to developing new processes, materials and mind-sets to reduce waste and impact the circular economy.
Artificially Evolving Bacteria to Consume Recyclable Feedstocks “Hello Everyone! I'm Matthew Edghill, a third year Biochemistry Specialist undergrad from Barbados. My research in the Mahadevan Lab involves two distinct metabolic engineering projects: Firstly, I am conducting a long term adaptive laboratory evolution experiment, to optimize a strain of Escherichia coli for ethylene glycol (EG) assimilation. I will then assay the gene expression of this evolved strain to… Read More
Catalytic Depolymerization of Polystyrene Waste into Valuable Phenolic Products using Visible-light Driven Photocatalysis and Green Solvents Plastic waste management is a critical issue. This proposal focuses on deconstructing polystyrene waste using visible-light activated CdS photocatalysts and green solvents. The objectives are to synthesize CdS nano-catalysts, optimize reaction conditions, and evaluate the obtained phenolic products. This research aims to provide an alternative solution for upcycling polystyrene waste, reducing landfill waste and environmental pollution. The multidisciplinary approach integrates… Read More- Complete Biosynthesis of Adipic Acid in Pseudomonas Putida “The goal of my research project is to develop a novel biosynthesis pathway in Pseudomonas putida to convert waste lignin into adipic acid. The proposed process can theoretically produce adipic acid while emitting 60-80% less CO2 equivalents and consuming 20% less energy than conventional methods. My work explores the use of enoate reductase enzymes to synthesize adipic acid from the… Read More
- Kinetic Consequences of the Intercorrelations between Acid and Redox Sites on Metal Oxides for Drop-in Oxygenates Synthesis from Sustainable Bio-based Methanol Guangming’s research is titled: “Kinetic Consequences of the Intercorrelation between Acid and Redox Sites on Metal Oxides for Drop-in Oxygenates Synthesis from Sustainable Bio-based Methanol.” Read More
- Prefiguring an Equitable Net-Zero Future by Mitigating Food Waste and Enhancing Food Security Food waste and food security are intertwined, particularly in the context of climate action. Food waste vastly contributes to Canada's GHG emissions, while climate change exacerbates food insecurity. This research project will address the significant food waste generated by U of T while simultaneously tackling student food insecurity. I'll investigate effective and equitable strategies to minimize food waste at the… Read More
- Sustainable carbon-negative biomining-coupled biofuel production using genetic engineered Acidithiobacillus ferridurans Jinjin primarily works on a project that harnessing a CRISPR/Cas9 system to genetically engineer Acidithiobacillus ferridurans JAGS for better biomining performance. My proposed project is about utilization of genetic engineered A. ferridurans JAGS in biomining-coupled biofuel production. We believe this research holds the promise to “kill three birds with one stone”: (1) using pyrrhotite (PO, Fe1−xS, x = 0-0.125) tailings… Read More
- Transport of Medium Chain Fatty Acids through Rubbery Polymer Film Wastewater treatment plants currently produce biogas as a byproduct – a low value greenhouse gas (GHG). Abbas’s work, entitled “Transport of Medium Chain Fatty Acids Through Rubbery Polymer Films,” is part of a collaboration between the Advanced Membrane and Microbiome Engineering labs to replace biogas with bio-sourced medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). MCFAs are valuable chemicals, currently produced unsustainably from… Read More
