Case 14633

Biologically catalyzed carbon dioxide mineralization using yeast-displayed enzymes and proteins

Keywords:

Carbon sequestration, carbon dioxide mineralization, yeast-displayed enzymes and proteins

Applications:

Remove carbon dioxide from flue gas of power plants and convert it to carbonate minerals.

Problem:

    Carbon dioxide in flue gas is a major cause of global warming, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Technology:

This invention describes a biologically catalyzed carbon dioxide mineralization process that uses yeast-displayed proteins and peptides. The yeast, Saccaramyces cerevisae, is used to manufacture and immobilize proteins and peptides. This can be used to enhance the mineralization rate of carbon dioxide and to control the crystal properties of the mineralized carbon dioxide. This also allows for easy recapture and re-use of the proteins and peptides.

Advantages:
  • Carbonate minerals are geologically stable and will not be released into the atmosphere
  • High storage capacity and long storage lifetime
  • Low materials cost
  • Can operate in near-standard conditions

Inventors:
  • Professor Angela Belcher (Department of Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, MIT)
  • Roberto Barbero (Department of Biological Engineering, MIT)
  • Elizabeth Wood (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MIT)

Intellectual Property:

US Patent Application Number 13/211910, filed on August 17, 2011

PCT Patent Application Number PCT/US2012/051391, filed on August 17, 2012

Publications:

Last revised: March 16, 2012

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