On-Going Research Projects

Energy sustainability for water infrastructure and agriculture (PI: Logan; with J.M. Regan, M. Janik, S. Chen). King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudia Arabia. May 1, 2008 – April 30, 2013. $10,000,000.

Energy sustainable wastewater treatment systems for forward operating bases based on microbial fuel cells. (PI: Logan). Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). July 18, 2012 – July 18, 2015. $1,010,617

Capturing Electrical current via mechanisms used for interspecies electron transfer to produce methane (PIs: Spormann, Logan). Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP), Stanford University. September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2014. $2,001,436 total (25% to Logan, $487,847)

Evaluation of refinery and other oily wastewaters for power production in microbial fuel cells. Chevron. May 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012. $90,000.

Support for the North American International Society for Microbial Electrochemical Technologies meetings. US Army Research Office. (PIs: L. Angenent and B.E. Logan). September 15, 2012 – September 14, 2014. $30,525

Microbial electrolysis cell for hydrogen gas production. (PI: Logan). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. March 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013. $60,000.

A novel pilot-scale application for bio-hydrogen fermentation of starch wastewater industry and synthesize of new materials for chemical storage of hydrogen. USDA-Egypt Joint Science and Technology Program. August 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013. $119,498.

BioEnergy Production. (PI: Logan). Frank Annuzio Award in Alternative Energy Sources. $25,000.

Interspecies electron transfer in biotechnology. PIs: D.J. Batstone and K. Rabaey. Collaborators: B.E. Logan, C. Picioreanu, and A.J. Stams. Australian Research Council, 2009-2013. (No direct funding to Penn State)

Motility as a means to understand prokaryotic function in the biosphere. PI: J.G. Mitchell, with: A. Ball, R. Lal, B.E. Logan, R. Stocker. Australian Research Council, 2010-2013. (No direct funding to Penn State)
 

Past Research Projects

Development of Rhodobacter as a versatile platform for fuels production. (PI: W Curtis; with J. Chapelle, B.E. Logan, H. Salis). ArpaE, June 2010 – May 2013. $1,500,000.

Scaling up microbial fuel cells. Siemens Corporation. June 7, 2010 to September 30, 2011.

Electrochemical modeling and EIS evaluation of microbial electrolysis cells. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., March 1, 2010 – February 28. 2011. $60,000.

Hydrogen production in tubular cathodes. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. April 1, 2010 - March 31, 2011. $60,000.

REU Site: Chemical Energy Storage and Conversion. National Science Foundation. (PI: M.J. Janik; B.E. Logan included as senior personnel). May 1, 2010 – April 30, 2013, $270,113.

Treatability of different industrial wastewaters evaluated using microbial electrolysis cells. (PI: Logan). Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., March 1, 2012 – June 31, 2012. Unrestricted grant, $20,000

Electrochemical modeling and EIS evaluation of microbial electrolysis cells-2. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., March 1, 2011 – February 28. 2012. $60,000.

Development of Rhodobacter as a versatile platform for fuels production. (PI: W Curtis; with J. Chapelle, B.E. Logan). ArpaE, June 2010 – May 2012. $1,500,000 (15%).

Paul L. Busch Award for "Innovation in Wastewater Treatment- Harvesting Energy From Wastewater Treatment". November 1, 2004 to December 31, 209. $100,000. Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) Announcement. Busch Award.

Evaluation of hydrogen production from a food industry wastewater stream in bench- and pilot-scale microbial electrolysis tests. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., March 1, 2009 – February 28. 2010. $55,000.

Analysis of bench-scale microbial electrolysis cells. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. August 1, 2009- March 31, 2010. $40,000.

Microbial fuel cell architectures for a new wastewater treatment system.  (PI: Logan), National Science Foundation. September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2009. $250,000.

Electrochemically assisted microbial fermentation of acetate. (PI: Logan). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. August 2007-January 2009. $130,000.

Microbial electrolysis cell architectures and feedstock tests (PI: Logan), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., March 1, 2008 – February 28. 2009. $110,984

Evaluation of MFCs for animal wastewater treatment. (PI Logan). Agrakey Solutions, October 2, 2008 to May 31, 2009. $10,000.

Isolation and analysis of novel electrochemically active bacteria for enhanced power generation in microbial fuel cells (PIs: B.E. Logan and J.M. Regan). Air Force Office of Scientific Research. June 1, 2006 to April 30, 2009. $386,552.

Microbial Fuel Cell Symposium. (PI: B.E. Logan, J.M. Regan). National Science Foundation. March 1, 2008- October 31, 2008. $60,000. [Abstracts from the Symposium held May 27-29, 2008]

Travel support to microbial fuel cell symposium attendees. (B.E. Logan). Office of Naval Research. March 1, 2008 – October 31, 2008. $4990.

Testing and evaluation of system materials for creating a scalable bioelectrochemically assisted microbial reactor (BEAMR). (PI: Logan), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. March 1, 2007 to February 28, 2008. $110,219.

Improving power generation in microbial fuel cells. (PI: Logan), National Science Foundation. November 15, 2004- October 31, 2008. $509,342.

Center: EMSI- Center for Environmental Kinetics Analysis (CEKA). (PI: Sue Brantley. Personnel: S. Brantley, W. Burgos, B. Dempsey, P. Heaney, J. Kubicki, B. Logan, M. Maroto-Valer, C. Martine, K. Merz, K. Mueller, K. Osseo-Asare and M. Tien). National Science Foundation. September 1, 2004 – August 31, 2009. $6,750,000. CEKA Website

Treatability study of American Eagle paper effluent stream for use as feedstock for microbial fuel cell operations. (PIs: B.E. Logan and T.L. Richard). American Eagle Paper Mills. August 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007. $7500.

In Situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate in Vadose Zone Soil using Gaseous Electron Donors (PI: P.J. Evans, CDM; PSU PIs: R. Brennan, B.E. Logan). ESTCP. January 2005 to December 2007. $90,000 PSU subcontract ($750,000 project total).

Novel microbial hydrogen production from biomass containing wastewater. (PI: Logan). Subcontract to Ion Power for an SBIR (Department of Energy, Topic: Biological solutions for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide and producing fuels). Date- TBD. $30,000.

High yield hydrogen production from waste biomass. (PI: Logan), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. March 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007. $60,000.

Bacterial adhesion to uncoated and coated glass surfaces analyzed using batch adhesion tests and AFM. PPG Inc., May 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006. $78,362.

Coupled Processes for BioEnergy Production: Biological Hydrogen Linked with Microbial Fuel Cells. (PIs: Regan, Logan, Guiltinen), US Department of Agriculture, Sept. 2003 to August, 2006). $790,798. USDA

Training grant: Biogeochemical Research Initiative for Education (BRIE) at Penn State. (PIs: S. Brantley, K. Freeman, J. Brenchley). National Science Foundation (NSF), August 1999 - July 2007. Dr. Logan is the BRIE Team 2 leader: Bacterial Adhesion

Molecular level analysis of macromolecule-surface interactions in bacterial adhesion. (PIs: Logan, Velegol, Chorover, Kubicki, Elimelech). National Science Foundation, Sept 15, 2000 - August 31, 2005. $2,555,000. CRAEMS

Demonstration: An operational hydrogen fueling station. (PIs: J. Anstrom, Z. Rado, B.E. Logan). Pennsylvania DEP and Pennsylvania DCED. $487,656 (cash) and $846,744 (match). April 1, 2004 to April 1, 2005.

Biological hydrogen production as a sustainable green technology for pollution prevention.  (Co PI: M.A. Bruns). National Science Foundation, January 15, 2002 to January 14, 2005.  $375,000. NSF H2

The Biogeochemical Research Initiative for Education (BRIE). (PIs: Brantley, Freeman, Brenchley). National Science Foundation. July 1, 1999 - June 31, 2007. $2,699,997

Isolation and characterization of microbes selected for in wastewater microbial fuel cells. (PIs: M. Tien, J. Regan, B. Logan). Research Initiation Grant, Co-funded by the Center for Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry and the Hydrogen Energy Center. June 2004 to June 2005. $14,000.

Measurement and analysis of microbial sticking coefficient for water treatment materials. June 1, 2003 – December 31, 2004. Bacterial adsorption to carbon

SGER: Determination of the potential for direct generation of electricity from wastewater using a microbial fuel cell. National Science Foundation. June 1, 2003 – May 31, 2004. $86,937. NSF-MFC

Interaction of bacteria with uncoated and coated surfaces- Phase 2. PPG, Inc. May 2003 to August, 2004. $66,214.

Respiratory enzymes used for perchlorate reduction.  National Science Foundation. Sept 7, 2000 - Sept 6, 2004. $399,984. NSF Enzymes

Bioadhesion studies. PPG, Inc. January 15, 2002 - April 14, 2004. PPG

Biofuel Cell research. (PIs: B.E. Logan, J. Regan, G. Ferry and M. Pishko). PSU Life Sciences Consortium Seed Grant Program, July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004, $60,000. BioFuelCell

Interaction of bacteria with uncoated and coated surfaces- Phase 1. PPG, Inc. January 16, 2002 to January 15, 2003. $64,648.

Development of a test to measure bacterial sticking coefficients for activated carbon. Proctor and Gamble. January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2004. $10,000.

A complete pilot-scale reactor for treating perchlorate-contaminated drinking water. American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF): Phase 3. November 15, 2002 to May 31, 2003. $100,000

ACS-PRF-Travel Grant: Molecular Level Aspects of Bacterial Adhesion, Transport, and Biofilm formation. PIs: D. Velegol, B.E. Logan, and J. Kubicki. January to April, 2003. $5900.

Genetic Engineering of Clostridium acetobutylicum for Enhanced Production of Hydrogen Gas for Use as a Clean Fuel Source. (PIs: J. Regan, M. Guiltinan, B.E. Logan). PSU Life Sciences Consortium Seed Grant Program, July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2002, $42,500.

Biological hydrogen production in a bioreactor. US Filter Corp., July 15, 2002 to July 14, 2003. $50,000.  US Filter

Research Opportunity Award (ROA) for Visiting Scholars to work on an existing NSF Project. National Science Foundation, March 26, 2001 to August 14, 2003. $28,137.

Field testing a bioreactor system to treat low-concentration perchlorate-contaminated water.  American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF). November 15, 2000 to November 14, 2003. $450,000  AWWARF Phase 2

Corporate Gift: In support of the H2E Center. Regenesis Corp., September 28, 2000 – December 2001. $10,000.

Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Research Frontiers Conference, July 31-August 3, 1999 at Pennsylvania State University. (Co-PI: Cannon). National Science Foundation.April 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000. $30,000.

Application of bioreactor systems to low-concentration perchlorate-contaminated water. Phase 1: Laboratory and Bench-Scale Experiments.  American Water Works Research Foundation, Nov 1998-Oct 2001. $422,000  AWWARF Phase 1

Corporate Gift: Testing the Regenesis HRC for Use in Perchlorate Remediation Regenesis Corp., May 14, 1999. $12,000.

Biodegradation of Subsurface Pollutants by Chlorate-Respiring Microorganisms. National Science Foundation (NSF). May 1998 - April 2001. $379,414 Chlorate project

The HBOD test HBOD Research

Environmental Engineering Frontiers Workshop National Science Foundation. September 1997 - August 1999. $24,250.

Bacterial Transport in Saturated, Unsaturated, and Air-Sparged Porous Media. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. March 1995- February 2000. $618,995.

Renovation of the University of Arizona Environmental Engineering Bioprocessing Laboratory. National Science Foundation, Academic Research and Infrastructure (ARI) Program and the University of Arizona, December 1996- February 1998. $320,000

Cell Culture and Bioprocessing Core. (Co-PI: D. Carter). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, March 1995- February 2000. $393,672
Use of a Novel Electron Acceptor for Stimulating Bioremediation. National Science Foundation, May 1994- June 1995. $50,000

Using Fractal Geometry to Study Phytoplankton Blooms and Coagulation Events. Office of Naval Research, December 1994- November 1996. $92,104

The Use of Air Sparging to Remediate Contaminated Soils. University of Arizona Foundation and the Office of the Vice President for Research, June 1994-May 1995. $4,000

Transport of Biocolloids in the Subsurface. (Co-PI: C.P. Gerba, R.C. Bales, R.G. Arnold). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Mar. 1992- Feb. 1995. $445,248.

Characterization of Aggregates and Coagulation Processes Using Fractal Geometry. Office of Naval Research, December 1990- November 1994. $403,330

Transport of subsurface biocolloids in porous media. (Co-PI: R.C. Bales, R.G. Arnold and C.P. Gerba). Department of Energy, October 1991 - December 1994. $300,000.

Physical and Optical Characterization of (Bio) Particles: Coagulation, Growth and Adhesion. (Co-PI: G.L. Amy and R.G. Arnold). National Science Foundation, Engineering Research Equipment Grant, June 1990. $65,333

In-situ Bioremediation via Sequential Treatments. (Co-PI: R.G. Arnold). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Mar. 1990- Feb. 1992. $103,932
Biodegradation of Macromolecules in Complex Wastewaters. National Science Foundation, March 1990- August 1993. $285,162

Aerobic Biodegradation of Chlorinated Aromatics. ITT Rayonier Inc., September 1988 - December 1990. $65,000

Bioremediation of Groundwater, Equipment and Supplies Grant. United States Air Force, January 1988- December 1988. $6,300

Effects of Fluid Environment on Uptake Kinetics. Office of Naval Research, July 1988 - July 1990. $125,000

Factors Affecting Uptake Kinetics of Microorganisms in Permeable Aggregates. American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund, September 1987- September 1989. $18,000

Corporate Gift: Mass Separation Techniques for Computer Aided Design of Trickling Filters. B.S. Flocor Ltd., March 1987- August 1988. $14,000

Separation Techniques for the Design of Fixed Film Bioreactors. University of Arizona Foundation

Bio-colloid transport in saturated, unsaturated, and air-sparged porous media. National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) via the University of Arizona NIEHS Superfund Center. April 1995 - March 2000. Bacterial transport
 

Workshops

Environmental Engineering Frontiers Workshop, Sponsored by Workshop National Science Foundation and the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP); Asilomar Conference Center, Monterey, CA, September 1997 - August 1999. [Download Workshop Proceedings]

Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Research Frontiers Conference. Sponsored by AEESP, The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Center for Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.  July 31 - August 3, 1999. [Download Conference Proceedings]