Rheological study of suspensions of microorganisms biopolymer producers

• Grant number: 19/15754-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Agreement: BG E&P Brasil (Shell Group)
• Principal Investigator: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Grantee: Sara Malvar Mauá
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation, AP.PCPE

Abstract

An active fluid denotes a viscoelastic suspension of particles, cells, or macromolecules able to convert chemical energy into mechanical work by generating stresses on the microscale. Some active particles may produce smart materials (biopolymers) under the presence of CO2 and CH4. Biopolymers of bacterial origin, with their vast range of applications, biodegradability and eco- friendly manufacturing processes, are one of the alternatives for a more sustainable future. However, the cost of their production is a drawback. The main goal of this Post-Doctorate project is to study the rheology of these complex suspensions of microorganisms. In this project, three aspects of the problem will be studied: first, the fundamental physical processes involved in the flow of these active fluids. Second, the experiments to understand how the variables related to the constitutive models of the suspensions may enhance the efficiency of biopolymer production. Third, the study of active particle migration when different composites and substrates are added in order to enhance CO2 and CH4 absorption.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MALVAR, SARA; CARDOSO, LETICIA O. B.; KAROLSKI, BRUNO; PERPETUO, ELEN A.; CARMO, BRUNO S.; MENEGHINI, JULIO R.. A rheological approach to identify efficient biopolymer producing bacteria. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, v. 118, n. 2, p. 622-632, FEB 2021. (19/15754-7, 16/14337-5, 18/22790-7, 14/50279-4)

MALVAR, SARA; CUNHA, FRANCISCO RICARDO. A theoretical model for studying the nonlinear viscoelastic response of an active fluid undergoing oscillatory shear. Physics of Fluids, v. 33, n. 9, SEP 2021. (16/14337-5, 19/15754-7)

MALVAR, SARA; CARMO, BRUNO S.. Wavelet analysis of a flexible filament kinematics: emulating C. elegans swimming behavior. Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, v. 43, n. 4, MAR 18 2021. (16/14337-5, 19/15754-7)