IMPACT Technology Development — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: This technology development program addresses the market and strategic need for renewable

Description

This technology development program addresses the market and strategic need for renewable high density fuels for missile propulsion or as additives to increase performance of jet propulsion fuels. beta-Pinene, a natural plant derived organic compound, is the proposed high density fuel precursor. In the Phase 1 project, we will demonstrate the feasibility of this approach by: 1) engineering a strain of S. cerevisiae to contain the beta-pinene synthase gene from Artemisia annua. When induced, the engineered strain will divert most of its central metabolism to the production of beta-pinene; 2) demonstrating the ability of the engineered strain to convert hydrolyzed waste cardboard into beta-pinene; 3) developing a solvent extraction system to aid in the recovery of produced beta-pinene; and 4) integrating the beta-pinene production and separation steps in order to demonstrate continuous or semi-continuous operation. In addition we will characterize the overall efficiency of the process by performing material and energy balances. Lastly, we will provide a sample of beta-pinene produced via this bioconversion process.