Rensselaer 2006 Undergraduate Research Forum & Awards

Nano-scale Laminar Flow Reactor

Andrew Keefe

The purpose of this study is to develop a new use for microbial cellulose produced by the bacterium, Acetobacter xylinum. There is a potential to construct a gravity driven nano-scale laminar flow reactor. Small particles (i.e. enzymes or solid phase reactants) can be embedded in the growing cellulose matrix with geographic specificity. A fluid containing a substrate can pass through this active region by gravity driven flow and a reaction will occur.