3D printing-assisted microbial synthesis for carbon neutralization: strategies and application

Abstract

3D printing (3DP) has emerged as a promising strategy for the rapid, flexible, and cost-effective fabrication of innovative microbial reactor components like engineered living materials (ELMs). Traditional microbial synthesis for CO₂ reduction, such as microbial photosynthesis, microbial electrochemical technologies (MET), and enzyme immobilization, face significant challenges, primarily due to low production yields and higher costs relative to conventional fossil fuel-based methods. 3D printing-assisted microbial synthesis provides an innovative way to overcome these limitations. This review presents a concise overview of current applications of 3DP in microbial fields, with an emphasis on ELMs designed to enhance the stability of bioactive agents and improve mass transfer through optimized 3D architectures. The applications of 3DP in microbial synthesis systems aimed at carbon neutrality are systematically examined, including the fabrication of printed ELMs and other functional reactor components, as well as their potential to advance mechanistic understanding and optimize bioreactor design. By evaluating existing applications, this review identifies key challenges and outlines directions for future improvement. We call for intensified research efforts to broaden the adoption of 3DP in microbial synthesis technologies, thereby advancing their industrial scalability and supporting global carbon neutrality objectives.

Keywords

3D printing / Bioconversion / Microbial photosynthesis / Microbial electrosynthesis / Enzyme immobilization / Carbon dioxide

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 22176086)

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Nos. 021114380222, 021114380214)

Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Technological Innovation Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No. BE2022861)

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities - Cemac “GeoX” Interdisciplinary Program(No. 021114380217)

Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling of Nanjing University(No. 2024QNXZ07)

Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20240034)

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No. 2024M761388)

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF(No. GZC20231105)

Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent(No. 2023ZB226)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Jiangnan University

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