首创！我国科学家实现海水中二氧化碳变生物塑料，可拓展多种生物制造产品

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the development of an "artificial ocean carbon cycling system" that integrates electrocatalysis and biocatalysis to capture CO₂ from seawater and convert it into valuable chemical products, addressing both climate change and the need for sustainable materials [2][4][5]. Group 1: Research and Development - The research team from Shenzhen Advanced Institute of Technology and University of Electronic Science and Technology has developed a system that captures CO₂ from seawater and converts it into intermediates for biomanufacturing [2][4]. - The system aims to provide a new pathway for utilizing ocean carbon sinks, contributing to the national "dual carbon" goals and the development of a green low-carbon materials industry [4][5]. Group 2: Technical Innovations - The "artificial ocean carbon cycling system" creates a complete chain from "seawater CO₂ capture" to "material and molecular output," utilizing a collaborative approach of electrocatalysis and synthetic biology [5]. - A new electrolysis device was designed to operate continuously in natural seawater for over 500 hours, achieving a CO₂ capture efficiency of over 70% at a cost of approximately $229.9 per ton [8]. Group 3: Biochemical Processes - The research includes the development of a "supercell" that efficiently utilizes formic acid, derived from captured CO₂, to produce biodegradable plastic monomers [10]. - The engineered bacteria can convert formic acid into succinic acid and lactic acid, which are core monomers for biodegradable plastics [10]. Group 4: Industrial Applications - The research team has successfully synthesized fully biodegradable PBS and PLA from the produced monomers, demonstrating the potential for industrial applications [11]. - Future plans include establishing integrated "green factories" along coastal areas to continuously capture CO₂ and convert it into green plastic materials, contributing to a sustainable production model [11].