Selective Evolution of Lithium Ions by Shewanella loihica

Selective Evolution of Lithium Ions by Shewanella loihica

Presenter(s)

Gabrielle A. Kozurek

Comments

Presentation: 2:00-2:20, Kennedy Union 211

Description

The prevalent use of lithium ion batteries in consumer electronics poses a significant sustainability challenge to both manufacturing and source availability over the next 50 years. There are several methods to extract lithium from salt water that are commercially available but require caustic reagents and environmental hazards. However, there are several lithium-resistant bacteria that have the ability to precipitate or mineralize lithium ions into a reduced form of lithium that can be processed readily into a lithium source material for batteries. The goal of this project was to culture, characterize, and selectively evolve Shewanlla loihica using lithium ion concentration changes both aerobically and anaerobically. This strain has published metal-reducing capabilities and by selectively pressuring the organisms with higher and higher concentration of Li we will understand the fundamental lithium tolerance of the organism. The project includes an understanding of the changes in growth rate due to subsequent culturing of organisms with increasing concentrations of Li ion. The hope for the final outcome of the project was to find a potential biological approach to the precipitation of Li ions from salt water.

Publication Date

4-17-2024

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Justin C. Biffinger

Primary Advisor's Department

Chemistry

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship; Practical Wisdom; Critical Evaluation of Our Times

Selective Evolution of Lithium Ions by Shewanella loihica

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