Research Project
LactiFilm develops light-driven, hydrogel-based co-culture biofilms of phytoplankton and lactobacilli to sustainably produce lactic acid for biodegradable PLA plastics, reducing feedstock costs and energy use reducing feedstock costs and energy use
LactiFilm LactiFilm aims to create sustainable biofilm systems for lactic acid production, a key precursor for biodegradable PLA plastics. The project explores compartmentalized co-culture biofilms of phytoplankton and lactobacilli, powered by light and CO₂, to reduce reliance on costly feedstocks and energy-intensive fermentation. Using mechanically tunable hydrogel films, the system will control growth, metabolism, and spatial distribution of both organisms. Smart features like light- or temperature-responsive gels enable on-demand phytoplankton lysis, providing nutrients for lactobacilli while maintaining continuous lactic acid output. This approach minimizes impurities, simplifying downstream polymerization into PLA.
Illustration of a Lactic acid (LA)-producing compartmentalized smart hydrogel co-culture biofilm containing phytoplankton (cyanobacteria or microalgae) at the bottom and lactobacilli at the top. A stimulus like change in temperature causes the smart hydrogel at the bottom to collapse and mechanically lyses the phytoplankton cells to release nutrients for the lactobacilli
Insight into the LactiFilm research project.
