SBIR-STTR Award

Biomass is a renewable resource with high potential to achieve cost effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly energy to the American consumer, but yet is still deemed inefficient. First, current methodologies only allow conversion of cellulosic materials into biofuel, leaving energy-rich hemicellulosic material unutilized. Second, even though carbohydrate conversion is the focus of biomass processing, currently there exists no reliable online carbohydrate monitor. As a result, biomass conversion commonly shows 35% relative standard deviation yields batch-to-batch because of variations in raw materials and processing conditions. Here, Advanced MicroLabs (AML) will construct an online carbohydrate proof-of-concept monitoring device, based on a patent-pending microchip capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrochemical detection technology. AML will team with both the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL, Golden, CO) and the Henry Laboratory at Colorado State University. NREL operates a next generation cellulosic/hemicellulosic pilot plant and is eager to find an online monitor that can provide feedback for efficient processing. NREL has identified a sensor that monitors glucose and xylose concentrations during processing as a high priority and will be the focus of this proposal. The Henry Lab authored the provisional patent and recently demonstrated resolution and sensitive detection of both glucose and xylose in model solutions using the technology. In this project, the Henry Lab will develop the conditions necessary to resolve glucose and xylose within real pilot plant samples provided by NREL. We conservatively estimate online monitoring would save the current cellulosic bioethanol industry $55 million/yr. with even greater savings in the future cellulosic/hemicellulosic industry. OBJECTIVES: Specific Aim 1: Construct a microchip analysis system for the separation and detection of the fermentable sugars, glucose and xylose, from a saccharification sample. Using model solutions, the Henry Group has demonstrated resolution and detection of glucose and xylose. Here, the Henry Group will transition this to a more complex saccharification sample. This will require the ability to separate carbohydrates based on their charge and hydrodynamic radius and will be achieved using microchip capillary zone electrophoresis. Because this project is focused on glucose and xylose, no attempt will be made to individually resolve other components of the saccharification process, i.e., amines, thiols, etc, although these will be analyzed as possible interferences. Specific Aim 2: Construct a proof-of-concept device capable of automated sampling of carbohydrates during the saccharification process. AML will leverage its prior experience in the design and construction of microchip instrumentation to construct an instrument specific to this application. Additionally, AML will address a notable development hurdle for online sampling, namely the design of a fluidic system necessary for reliable and long term saccharification sampling. Saccharification samples are complex and contain not only carbohydrates but also some small molecules as well as particulate matter. Again leveraging from prior experience, AML will develop the necessary pumps and filters to reliably deliver sample to the microchip for analysis

The emerging cellulosic-based biofuels industry will benefit national security, lower Green House Gases (GHG) emissions, and bolster the American farmer through a reliable cash crop without necessarily stressing the American food supply. For the biomass industry to become sustainable, it is believed that production of ethanol must drop to $1.60/gallon in order to compete with foreign oil. Therefore technologies that contribute to greater production cost efficiencies would, not just allow for a cheaper gallon of ethanol, but more importantly, contribute to the sustainability of an entire burgeoning industry. Of notable importance is the need for fast, accurate, and easy to acquire measurements of simple carbohydrates, aka sugars, in processing. Sugars are the fundamental intermediary in most biomass conversion, as plant material is broken down into sugars before being fermented into ethanol and monitoring them throughout the process is critical to efficient biomass conversion. The problem lies in the fact that raw material and production variations result in variability in the net conversion of the final product. Any facility operating below its optimal conversion is leaving potential product fallow. Accurate measurement of biomass sugar content is of prime importance because it is directly proportional to ethanol yield. If an online sugar measurement solution was available, biomass facilities could make production adjustments during the process to maximize yields, flag problem variations at an early stage, and quickly pursue corrective actions. Our market research suggests an average facility will save nearly $1 Million annually. Our unique patent-pending microchip technology combines capillary electrophoresis (CE) with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD). CE is a proven means for separation of sugars in complex matrices. PAD is the gold standard carbohydrate detection scheme. Because we hold the only demonstrated technology for combining CE and PAD onto a microchip format, we can uniquely offer fast, simple, and reliable sugar analysis. Based on Phase I progress and the significant market potential, a core team of researchers have come together to form Carbo Analytics, LLC (CARBO) with the sole mission of adding value to carbohydrate-based commodities through reliable process monitors. In this Phase II proposal, CARBO will transform a proof-of-concept prototype into demonstration units (breadboard and production instruments) meeting end-user specifications and addressing performance, reliability, longevity, and manufacturability. Both instruments will be field tested with three key industry leaders. Phase II activities our purposely structured to reach development milestones that will place CARBO in a position to receive industry product development contracts that will pull development through Phase III and into the commercial marketplace.