Electrobiotechnology

Team-leader
Dr. Benjamin Korth
Deputy group leader and team-leader
Thermodynamics of electroactive microorganisms
PhD Students
Francesco Scarabotti
(jointly with
WG Catalytic Biofilms
) in
STROMER
Johannes Nelles
(jointly with
Department UBZ
) in
STROMER
Shixiang Dai
(jointly with
WG Aquifer Biogeochemistry
)
Daniel Dzofou Ngoumelah (DBFZ)
Katharina Neubert
Technicians
Anne Kuchenbuch (plus Manager of
STROMER
)
Cornelia Dilßner
Angelika Wichmann
Philip Haus
Undergraduates & Guests
Mareike Meyer (Leipzig University)
Max Hell (Leipzig University)
Tilmann Linke (Leipzig University)
Oscar Zorc (Leipzig University)
Anna Kauschinger (Leipzig University)

Part of a vibrant international community
Research Topics
The group is active in the following areas:
- Development of new bioelectrotechnological processes
- Bioelectrochemical steering of microbial cultures
- Study of the microbial ecology of electroactive microbial cultures
- Development of new methods and protocols in the field
- Fancy ad hoc projects (related to microbiology and/ or electrochemistry)
Current third-party-funded projects
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) - VIP+
MolkeKraft: Microbial-electrochemical exploitation of sour whey for the production of drop-in aviation fuel
PI: F. Harnisch
Partner: Tübingen University (Prof. Dr. L.T. Angenent)
Funding period: 05/2019 - 04/2022
Link to project - Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) - ERANETMED
WAFRA - Wireless Aquaponic Farming in Remote Areas: A smart adaptive socio-economic solution
PI: F. Harnisch
Partner: Ain Shams University (Egypt, Coordination), National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (Egypt), The University of Tunis El Manar (Tunesia), University of Girona (Spain), University of Salerno (Italy)
Funding period: 11/2018 - 02/2021
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
BioFAVOR II – Entwicklung und Evaluierung einer mobilen Demonstrationsanlage für die dezentrale Verwertung menschlicher Fäkalien
PIs: T. Hübner & F. Harnisch (Host)
Funding period: 04/2018 - 09/2020 - Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
ElektroPapier - Entwicklung papierbasierter Elektroden für die mikrobielle elektrochemische Abwasserreinigung
Work package 5: Microbial analyis
PIs: F. Harnisch & S. Müller
Partners: EnviroChemie (Coordinator), FuMATech GmbH, Koehler Greiz GmbH & Co KG, Graphit Kropfmühl GmbH, Papiertechnische Stiftung, TU Braunschweig (IÖNC und ISWW),
Funding period: 05/2016 - 12/2019 - The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Award Biotechnology 2020+
PI: F. Harnisch
Funding period: 11/2012 - 12/2018 - The Helmholtz-Association and the UFZ
Helmholtz Young Investigators Group
PI: F. Harnisch
Funding period: 11/2012 - 12/2018 - German Environmental Foundation (DBU)
Microbial Bioelectrotechnology: A plattform-initiative for Germany
PIs: F. Harnisch, M. A.-Rosenbaum (RWTH Aachen), U. Schröder (TU Braunschweig)
Funding period: 10/2013 - 12/2018 - Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
BioFAVOR: Entwicklung einer mobilen Anlage zur Erzeugung von Biokohle aus Fäkalschlamm
PIs: T. Hübner & F. Harnisch (Host)
Funding period: 09/2016 - 05/2017 - The Helmholtz-Association and the UFZ - Helmholtz-PostDoc-Fellowship
Development of a platform for the visualization and analysis of electroactive microbial biofilms
Fellow: G. Schkolnik
Hosts: F. Harnisch and N. Musat
Funding period: 10/2014 - 06/2016 - Electrochemical Society (ECS)
A Fully Cardboard Based Microbial Fuel Cell
PI: F. Harnisch
Partners: DBFZ, TU Braunschweig
Funding period: 07/2015 - 01/2016