Light-Powered Nano-Microbial ‘Factories’ Could Help Reduce Carbon

Using light-activated quantum dots to activate specific enzymes within microbial cells, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) created nanobio-hybrid organisms (nanorgs) that can consume harmful gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and convert them into biodegradable plastic, gasoline, ammonia, and biodiesel. According to the researchers, the technique could improve CO2 capture and one day potentially replace carbon-intensive manufacturing for plastics and fuels. A research team led by professor Prashant Nagpal began exploring the potential of quantum dots to offset carbon production in 2013. The goal was to see if quantum dots could act as a sort of “spark plug,” triggering enzymes within microbial...