Current Research Projects
Accelerating technology development of microbial electrosynthesis to convert CO2 to natural gas (methane) at scale. Aarhus University (Novo Nordisk Foundation). January 1, 2023-December 31, 2025. $350,419.
Novel microbial electrolysis cell design for efficient hydrogen generation from wastewaters. (PI: Logan). US Department of Energy. September 15, 2021 – September 14, 2025. $1,250,000 ($250,000 cost share).
Enabling hydrogen gas production from seawater using electrolytes contained by reverse osmosis membranes. (PI: Logan, Co-PIs C.A. Gorski, M Hickner). National Science Foundation, September 1, 2020 – May, 2024. $300,000.
Phase II IUCRC at The Pennsylvania State University: Center for Membrane Science, Engineering and Technology (MAST), National Science Foundation. PI: A.L. Zydney; co-PIs: M. Kumar, B.E. Logan, E.D. Gomez, M.A. Hickner. February 1, 2019 – January 31, 2024. $500,000.
Water and Nutrient recycling: A decision tool and synergistic innovative technology. (PI: Logan). USDA NIFA (University of Arkansas). August 1, 2021 – July 31, 2024. $411,819.
Completed Projects
Development of an All-Aqueous Thermally Regenerative Redox Flow Battery to Support Fossil Fuel Assets. (PI: Derek Hall, co-PIs Lvov, Rau, Logan). US Department of Energy. January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2022). $312,881.
Course development: Energy Use, Climate Change, and Our Engineered Infrastructure. (PI: Logan). Roe Fund for a Just and Sustainable Future, Sustainability Institute, Penn State University, May 10, 2022 – June 30, 2023. $4,500.
Materials and configurations for improved desalination performance using battery electrode deionization (BDI). (PI: Logan, co-PI C.A. Gorski). Collaborative Research Grants: U.S. – Egypt S&T Joint Fund Cycle 19, administered by the US National Academies of Science. August 1, 2019 – July 30, 2022. $194,128.
Energy 2100: Ensuring a carbon-neutral, global energy economy. (PI: Logan). Strategic Initiative funds, Penn State University. $250,000. July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021.
Hybrid microbial fuel cell-biofiltration system for energy neutral wastewater treatment. (PI: Logan). Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, through the U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center, June 15, 2016 – June 14, 2021. $571,821.
Low energy CO2 conversion and utilization in steel industry. (PI: Logan). K1-MET, October 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021. $23,698.
Renewable Energy Art and Design. (PI: Mihyu Kang; co-PI: Logan). Seed grant from Institutes of Energy & Environment (IEE). $30,000. April 1, 2020 – August 31, 2021.
SusChem: Manganese oxide supercapacitor charging/discharging mechanisms to capture energy using capacitive mixing (CapMix). (PI: C.A. Gorski; co-PI: Logan). National Science Foundation. September 1, 2016 – August 31, 2020. $330,000.
Greener desalination technologies by reducing RO membrane biofouling and developing alternative low-energy technologies. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). (PI: Logan). July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. $250,000.
Configurations and materials to improve hydrogen gas production in microbial electrolysis cells. (PI: Logan). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. December 1, 2015 –January 15, 2019. $450,000.
Resource Recovery from Wastewater with Bioelectrochemical Systems (PI: Ian Head, University of Newcastle). Resource Recovery from Waste Programme, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK.
Utilizing hydrotropes to increase flow battery storage densities. PI: C.A. Gorski, co-PIs: R. Hickey, B.E. Logan. Institutes of Energy and Environment, Seed grant. March 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018. $25,000.
Improving RO desalination and new desalination approaches. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). (PI: Logan). July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018. $250,000.
Removal of nutrients from anaerobic wastewaters. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). (PI: Logan). July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017. $100,000.
MRI-PSIEE Seed: pH-Gradient Flow batteries for generating electricity from waste CO2 streams. Materials Research Institute Seed Grant Program. (PI: Gorski, co-PI Logan). June 1, 2016-May 31, 2017. $10,000.
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 – December 31, 2016. $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, 2012 to August 31, 2016. $2,001,436 total (25% to Logan, $487,847)
Development of microaerobic fluidized membrane bioreactors to improve the effectiveness of wastewater treatment using microbial fuel cells. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). (PI: Logan). July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016. $209,000.
EAGER: SusChem: Enhanced electricity production from engineered salinity gradients using capacitive mixing. (PIs: Logan, Gorski). National Science Foundation. March 20, 2015-March 19, 2016. $130,000 total (60% to Logan, $78,000).
Configurations and materials to improve hydrogen gas production in microbial electrolysis cells. (PI: Logan). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. December 1, 2014 –November 31, 2015. $150,000
Bioelectrochemical integration of waste heat recovery, waste-to-energy conversion, and waste-to-chemical conversion with industrial gas and chemical manufacturing processes (Subcontract, Logan). Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (via Department of Energy). September 1, 2012 – January 1, 2015. $326,691 to Penn State.
Electrochemically Assisted Microbial Fermentation of Acetate. (PI: Logan). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. January 1, 2013 – September 30, 2014. $125,000.
Energy sustainability for water infrastructure and agriculture (PI: Logan). Global Research Partnerships (GRP) Award from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudia Arabia. May 1, 2008 – September 30, 2014. $10,000,000.
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.
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 May 15, 2014. $119,498.
BioEnergy Production. (PI: Logan). Frank Annuzio Award in Alternative Energy Sources. $25,000.
Evaluation of refinery and other oily wastewaters for power production in microbial fuel cells. Chevron. May 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013. $90,000.
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 Councl, 2010-2013. (No direct funding to Penn State)
Microbial electrolysis cell for hydrogen gas production. (PI: Logan). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. March 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013. $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%).
Hydrogen production in tubular cathodes. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. April 1, 2010 – June 31, 2011. $76,767.
Scaling up microbial fuel cells. Siemens Corporation. June 7, 2010 to September 30, 2011. $100,000.
Electrochemical modeling and EIS evaluation of microbial electrolysis cells. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., March 1, 2010 – February 28. 2011. $60,000.
Harvesting energy from wastewater treatment. (PI: Logan). Paul L. Busch Award, Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF). November 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009. $100,000.
Analysis of bench-scale microbial electrolysis cells. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. August 1, 2009- March 31, 2010. $40,000.
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.
Microbial fuel cell architectures for a new wastewater treatment system. (PI: Logan), National Science Foundation. September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2010. $250,000.
Electrochemically assisted microbial fermentation of acetate. (PI: Logan). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. August 2007-January 2009. $130,000.
Evaluation of MFCs for animal wastewater treatment. (PI Logan). Agrakey Solutions, October 2, 2008 to May 31, 2009.
Microbial electrolysis cell architectures and feedstock tests (PI: Logan), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., March 1, 2008 – February 28. 2009. $110,984
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- December 31, 2008. $60,000.
Travel support to microbial fuel cell symposium attendees. (B.E. Logan). Office of Naval Research. March 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008. $4990.
Improving power generation in microbial fuel cells. (PI: Logan), National Science Foundation. November 15, 2004- October 31, 2008. $509,342.
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.
High yield hydrogen production from waste biomass. (PI: Logan), Air Products. March 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007. $60,000.
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. $7,500.
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).
EMSI- Center for Environmental Kinetics Analysis (CEKA). (PI: Sue Brantley. Personnel: 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.
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). March – September, 2007. $30,000.
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.
Molecular level analysis of macromolecule-surface interactions in bacterial adhesion. (Co PIs: Velegol, Kubicki, Chorover, Elimelech), National Science Foundation. September 15, 2000 to September 14, 2005. $2,562,537.
Demonstration of an operational hydrogen fueling station. (PIs: J. Anstrom, Z. Rado, B.E. Logan). Pennsylvania DEP and Pennsylvania DCED. April 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. $487,656 (cash) and $846,744 (match).
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
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. Proctor and Gamble. June 1, 2003 – December 31, 2004. $94,100.
SGER: Determination of the potential for direct generation of electricity from wastewater using a microbial fuel cell. (PIs: Logan, Mallouk). National Science Foundation. June 1, 2003 – May 31, 2004. $86,937.
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. September 15, 2000 – August 14, 2004. $399,984.
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.
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.
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): Phase 2. November 15, 2000 to November 14, 2002. $450,000
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. American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF). November 15, 1998- November 14, 2000. $422,000.
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, (PI: Logan, Co-PI: Unz)
National Science Foundation. March 1, 1998 – February 28, 2001. $379,414.
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 and the Office of the Vice President for Research, November 1986 – November 1987. $4,945