# How Microbes Turn Carbon Waste into Useful Chemicals > This patent describes a method using special bacteria called oxyhydrogen microorganisms, specifically Rhodococcus sp., to convert carbon dioxide and other single-carbon compounds into valuable organic chemicals like biofuels. - **Patent:** US 9085785 - **Original title:** Use of oxyhydrogen microorganisms for non-photosynthetic carbon capture and conversion of inorganic and/or C1 carbon sources into useful organic compounds - **Owner:** Kiverdi - **Granted:** 2015 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 9 - **Field:** biotech, energy, materials, chemicals, environmental_technology ## What it does The patent outlines a biological and chemical process to capture and convert carbon compounds. It involves introducing an inorganic carbon compound (like carbon dioxide, per claim 2) or a single-carbon organic compound (like carbon monoxide or methane, per claim 8) into a bioreactor. Inside, Rhodococcus sp. microorganisms (as specified in claim 1) perform a chemosynthetic carbon-fixing reaction. This reaction is powered by chemical or electrochemical energy from electron donors and acceptors (claim 1), which can be generated or supplied externally. The microorganisms then build these single-carbon inputs into longer organic chemical products, specifically those with carbon chain lengths between C5 and about C30 (claim 1). For example, industrial waste carbon dioxide could be fed into a bioreactor, and the microbes would convert it into a precursor for a biofuel. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover processes using photosynthetic organisms to fix carbon. - Does not cover methods that produce organic compounds with carbon chain lengths outside the C5 to C30 range. - Does not cover carbon conversion methods that do not specifically use Rhodococcus sp. oxyhydrogen microorganisms or their extracts. - Does not cover processes where the energy for carbon fixation comes solely from light (photosynthesis). - Does not cover methods that don't rely on externally supplied or generated electron donors and acceptors for energy. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in specifically using Rhodococcus sp. oxyhydrogen microorganisms for chemosynthetic carbon fixation, driven by externally supplied chemical or electrochemical energy, to produce a specific range of longer-chain organic compounds (C5-C30) from simple carbon inputs. ## Real-world examples 1. Kiverdi's carbon transformation technology 2. Companies developing sustainable aviation fuels from CO2 3. Companies producing protein ingredients from C1 gases 4. Industrial processes converting syngas into chemicals ## Why it matters This technology offers a way to address climate change by capturing carbon emissions and simultaneously creating valuable products. Instead of simply storing carbon, it transforms it into useful chemicals, biofuels, or even food ingredients. This approach can turn industrial waste streams, such as syngas from gasification, into a resource, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuels for chemical production. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Microbes Turn Carbon Waste into Useful Chemicals cover? This patent describes a method using special bacteria called oxyhydrogen microorganisms, specifically Rhodococcus sp., to convert carbon dioxide and other single-carbon compounds into valuable organic chemicals like biofuels. ### Who owns patent US 9085785? Kiverdi owns this patent, granted in 2015. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 20, 2033, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 9085785 cited by? This patent has been cited by 9 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This technology offers a way to address climate change by capturing carbon emissions and simultaneously creating valuable products. Instead of simply storing carbon, it transforms it into useful chemicals, biofuels, or even food ingredients. This approach can turn industrial waste streams, such as syngas from gasification, into a resource, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuels for chemical production. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover processes using photosynthetic organisms to fix carbon. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9085785/use-of-oxyhydrogen-microorganisms-for-non-photosynthetic-carbon-capture-and-conv **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US9085785 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Making Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide and Steam Using Electricity](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20110132770/process-for-producing-compounds-of-the-cxhyoz-type-by-reduction-of-carbon-dioxid) — This patent describes a process that uses electricity to split steam and then reacts the resulting hydrogen with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to create various carbon-based compounds, like fuels or plastics. - [Capturing Carbon Dioxide While Making Industrial Materials](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20220203297/systems-and-methods-for-carbon-capture) — This patent describes a system and method for capturing carbon dioxide released during industrial processes like making cement or steel, while also producing useful materials and recovering energy. - [How a Special Reactor Makes Methane Fuel Without Constant Electricity](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10145018/method-for-operating-an-soec-type-stack-reactor-for-producing-methane-in-the-abs) — This patent describes a method for a Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell (SOEC) reactor to produce methane, even when electricity is scarce, by switching from electrolysis to a heat-generating chemical reaction. - [Capturing Carbon Dioxide While Making Electricity with Hydrogen and Solar](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12327854/apparatuses-and-methods-for-carbon-dioxide-capturing-and-electrical-energy-produ) — This patent describes an integrated system that captures carbon dioxide from the air or industrial exhaust while simultaneously generating clean electricity using a hydrogen gas turbine powered by solar-generated hydrogen and oxygen, all without burning fossil fuels. - [Making Hydrogen Gas from Sulfur Dioxide and Water at Low Temperatures](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9574276/production-of-low-temperature-electrolytic-hydrogen) — This patent describes a method for producing hydrogen gas using an electrochemical cell that reacts gaseous sulfur dioxide and water at a relatively low temperature, generating protons that become hydrogen.