Title: Engineering Biocatalysts at the Molecular Level for Water and Energy Sustainability
Abstract
Environmental contamination and increasing demand for renewable energy are two critical issues that need innovative and effective solutions to ensure a sustainable future. Biocatalysis, which refers to the use of enzymes or microbial cells for chemical transformations, can be exploited as a green chemistry alternative to address the challenges for environmental sustainability. This talk will present our research on understanding and engineering biocatalytic systems at the molecular level for i) degradation of emerging contaminants in water reclamation and reuse and ii) waste-to-energy/value biotransformation.…
In the town of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, an award winning organization, Casa Pueblo, is leading an “energy insurrection, an uplifting, a revolution,” according to founder and director Alexis Massol González. Their goal is 50% energy generation at the point of consumption with solar panels and independent microgrids by 2027. Arturo Massol Deyá, son of Alexis and executive director, will tell the story of one town’s fight for energy independence.…