Prompt Description

APPROVED Category: Biomedical Translation: Schematic diagram of a two-stage bioprocess for enhanced hydrogen and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from organic waste. The diagram features a clean, scientific style with a white background, minimal text, and flat vector icons, illustrating a left-to-right flow. Stage 1: Electro-Assisted Dark Fermentation (DFMEC) A single anaerobic reactor containing an anode and cathode connected to a power supply, indicating electron flow from anode to cathode. Inputs include carbon-rich food waste and nitrogen-rich swine manure. The reactor contains a mixed fermentation broth and redox-engineered biochar composed of spent coffee grounds (SCG) coated with a redox-active polymer (PEDOT). A zoomed-in view highlights the redox-engineered SCG–PEDOT biochar. Key functions: * Electron shuttling / Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer (DIET) * Electrode potential control regulating the NADH/NAD+ ratio, where a higher ratio enhances H2 production and a lower ratio enhances VFA production. Outputs: * H2 gas (bubbles leaving the reactor) * Effluent stream labeled "VFA-rich (acetate)" Stage 2: Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) A two-chamber MEC separated by a membrane. The anode chamber contains an acetate-oxidizing biofilm and exoelectrogenic microorganisms.