PartD: system development

Part D aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial application by development of a novel chemical system.
Our project aims to synthesise biopolymer capsules to contain bacteria-infused 5mm diameter agarose pellets, acting simultaneously as a DCM diffusion barrier, such that the rate of intake is less than or equal to the rate of DCM breakdown by the strain, allowing the capsules to be in direct contact with higher [DCM] while restricting the local [DCM] to our bacteria to viable ~20mM. Synthesising capsule density between that of water and DCM, will suspend these at the interface of a biphasic mixture of the two, optimising turnover efficiency of the process.
Our work will involve the synthesis of cellulose-modified biopolymers, by two classes of reaction: acyl chloride esterification and Williamson ether synthesis. The first class of reactions will use microcrystalline cellulose powder substrate, carried out with various stoichiometries of AcCl, at 0°C. The second class of reactions will use NaH as base in various stoichiometries, under N2 atmosphere, followed by dropwise addition of corresponding stoichiometry of benzyl bromide. Modification aims to balance increasing diethyl ether solubility, while retaining chemical resistance to DCM. The polymer will be coated on an agarose substrate, eventually containing engineered strains of Pseudomonas bacteria, capable of breaking down DCM up to 20mM.