Replies to Post #17276 onTauriga Sciences Inc (fka TAUG)

Replies to post #17276 on Tauriga Sciences Inc (fka TAUG)

Replies to #17276 on Tauriga Sciences Inc (fka TAUG)

10/30/14 6:50 PM

#17277 RE: longanisa #17276

I have quite a bit of info ranging from medical journals to bits and pieces of info in regards to what PILUS is geared towards as well as Microbial Robotics (formerly Bacterial Robotics).

I have done some digging around and I'd be more than happy to share what I have... It could set a post length record though. Not sure what the limit is for one post, but I guess I'll find out. I'll try to have it together before EOD tomorrow. I'll reply to your post here so you get alerted. (Since I can't pm)

I'd also love to see/compare what I've got with anyone else who might have some data, info, tidbits, etc. I think working together for the greater good sure won't hurt the sp. ;-)

$hrimp2Whale$

11/03/14 8:54 AM

#17296 RE: longanisa #17276

Good morning TAUGers! Here are some good links and info I've gathered in regards to PILUS ENERGY. Pardon the lack of organization, I am copying and pasting from several extensive PDFs I have compiled (some not paste-friendly). Doing your own DD is ALWAYS recommended, so consider this one heck of a starting point - it hasn't been 'done' for you, but it will certainly get the wheels turning. I have tried my best to eliminate my personal notes from the data, but I could have missed something in the hundreds of pages of notes I have.. Over +15k words, so I'm not proofing this before hitting submit ;-)

TAUG ON

Here is an oldie, but goodie: PDF (PILUS pg. 15-16) - Letter of intent proposal to OHIO 3rd Frontier Advanced Materials Program [as outlined 2011]:
https://development.ohio.gov/files/otf/FY2011OTFAMP-LOIs11-737-11-774.pdf

Link above has some info regarding High Surface Area Anode
- also see: EIO by Crystal Research Associates [patent info pg. 12] 72 pg. Research /EIO by Crystal Research Associates, LLC

Electrogenic Bioreactor (EBR) article regarding U.S. Patent # 8,354,267 "Microbial Fuel Cell"
"Traditional microbial fuel cells seek to generate electricity. However, they fall short in both power density and robustness for industrial use. The invention within the –‘267 patent overcomes these bottlenecks." Posted: Jan 17, 2013
http://www.nanowerk.com/news2/biotech/newsid=28508.php#ixzz3HkfBWGvH

For those science-savvy readers that would like some great data in regards to 'MFC' or Microbial Fuel Cell technology, see Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jctb.4004/full
Extensive scientific research in regards to MFC technology - *note: not an 'easy read'

BELOW I AM SIMPLY COPYING AND PASTING FROM MY COMPILED NOTES - SORRY FOR DUPLICATED INFO (there is so much data, it is possible some will be duplicated and some out of sequential order) - **Sources attached**:

On October 29, 2013 the Company entered into a Strategic Alliance with Synthetic Biology Pioneer Bacterial Robotics LLC to Develop And Commercialize Industry Specific Bacterial Robots “BactoBots”. Under terms of the Agreement the companies will jointly develop a nuclear industry-specific Bacterial Robot (“BactoBots(TM)”). BactoBots are ubiquitous microscopic robots applicable to therapeutics, wastewater, and chemicals. Specifically, Bacterial Robotics owns a family of intellectual property beginning with U.S Patent # 8,354,267 B2 that relates generally to genetically enhanced bacteria that conduct specific functions. Bacterial Robotics initial focus with Tauriga is developing a proprietary BactoBot to remediate wastewater generated by nuclear energy production.

On November 25, 2013, the Company entered a definitive agreement to acquire Cincinnati, Ohio based Pilus Energy LLC (“Pilus Energy”), a developer of alternative cleantech energy platforms using proprietary microbial solutions that creates electricity while consuming polluting molecules from wastewater. Upon consummation of the proposed transaction, which has been unanimously ratified by Tauriga’s board of directors, Pilus Energy will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tauriga. In addition certain advisors of Pilus Energy will be incorporated into the existing management team of Tauriga and will report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Stella M. Sung. A total of $100,000 was paid by Tauriga to Bacterial Robotics in connection with the execution of this November 2013 definitive agreement for the acquisition of Pilus Energy.

On January 28, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Cincinnati, Ohio based synthetic biology pioneer Pilus Energy LLC (“Pilus Energy”). Structurally Pilus Energy will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Tauriga (pursuant to the terms of the definitive agreement) and will maintain its headquarters location in the State of Ohio. The management of Pilus Energy will report directly to both the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of Tauriga with the expectation that at least one board seat of Tauriga will be allocated to a Pilus Energy affiliate. The Board of Directors of Tauriga Sciences unanimously approved both the previously announced definitive merger agreement on October 25, 2013 as well as the completion of the acquisition inclusive of amended closing terms. In consideration for early closing of this acquisition, shareholders of Pilus Energy received a warrant to purchase 100,000,000 shares of Tauriga Sciences, Inc. common stock at $0.02 per share.

Both management teams are highly confident that the capital and liquidity needs will be sufficiently met through commitments from existing institutional investors and progress in non-dilutive funding initiatives (i.e., grants, low interest loans). The main benefits in accelerating the closing of this acquisition are to enhance Tauriga’s access to capital markets and enable the intrinsic value of Pilus Energy’s technology to be realized sooner through demonstrable progress in the commercialization process. Pilus Energy utilizes a proprietary clean technology to convert industrial customer “wastewater” into value. This wastewater-to-value (“WTV”) proposition provides customers with substantial revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities. Pilus Energy is converging digester, fermenter, scrubber, and other proven legacy technologies into a single scalable Electrogenic Bioreactor (“EBR”) platform. This transformative microbial fuel cell technology is the basis of the Pilus Cell(TM). The EBR harnesses genetically enhanced bacteria, also known as bacterial robots, or BactoBots(TM), that remediate water, harvest direct current (DC) electricity, and produce economically important gases and chemicals. The EBR accomplishes this through bacterial metabolism, specifically cellular respiration of nearly four hundred carbon and nitrogen molecules typically called pollutants in wastewater. Pilus Energy’s highly metabolic bacteria are non-pathogenic. Because of the mediated biofilm formation, these wastewater-to-value BactoBots(TM) resist heavy metal poisoning, swings of pH, and survive in a 4-to-45 degree Celsius temperature range. Additionally, the BactoBots(TM) are anaerobically and aerobically active, even with low biological oxygen demand (“BOD”) and chemical oxygen demand (“COD”).

TAURIGA SCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
(Formerly Immunovative, Inc. and Subsidiary)
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On October 29, 2013, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Bacterial Robotics, LLC (Bacterial Robotics). Bacterial Robotics owns certain patents and/or other intellectual property related to the development of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMOs) and GMOs tailored to perform one or more specific functions, one such GMO being adopted to clean polluting molecules from nuclear waste, such GMO being referred herein as the existing BactoBot Technology (the BR Technology). Bacterial Robotics is developing a whitepaper to deliver to the Company for acceptance. Upon acceptance by the Company, the parties will form a strategic relationship through the formation of a joint venture in which the Company will be the majority and controlling owner which will use the NuclearBot Technology to further the growth of the nuclear wastewater treatment market. The intent is for Bacterial Robotics to issue a 10 year license agreement. In connection with the strategic alliance agreement, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 75,000,000 shares of its common stock valued at $1,100,000 and paid an additional $50,000 in cash.

On November 25, 2013, the Company executed a definitive agreement to acquire Pilus Energy, LLC (“Pilus”), a Ohio limited liability company and a developer of alternative cleantech energy platforms using proprietary microbial solutions that creates electricity while consuming polluting molecules from wastewater. Pilus is converging digester, fermenter, scrubber, and other proven technologies into a scalable Electrogenic Bioreactor (“EBR”) platform. This transformative technology is the basis of the Pilus Cell™. The EBR harnesses genetically enhanced bacteria, also known as bacterial robots, or BactoBots™, that remediate water, harvest direct current (“DC”) electricity, and produce economically important gases. The EBR accomplishes this through bacterial metabolism, specifically cellular respiration of nearly four hundred carbon and nitrogen molecules. Pilus’ highly metabolic bacteria are non-pathogenic. Because of the mediated biofilm formation, these wastewater-to-value BactoBots resist heavy metal poisoning, swings of pH, and survive in a 4-to-45 degree Celsius temperature range. Additionally, the BactoBots are anaerobically and aerobically active, even with low BOD/COD. On January 28, 2014, the acquisition was completed. Pilus will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. As a condition of the acquisition, Pilus will get one seat on the board of directors, and the shareholders of Pilus will receive a warrant to purchase 100,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company, which represented a fair market value of approximately $2,000,000. In addition, the Company paid Bacterial Robotics, LLC (“BRLLC”), formerly the parent company of Pilus, $50,000 on signing the memorandum of understanding and $50,000 at the time of closing.

The Company has concluded that the acquisition of Pilus Energy, LLC is to be treated as the purchase of an asset.

On March 26, 2014, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Pilus Energy, LLC, has commenced a five-phase, $1,700,000 commercial pilot test with the Environmental Protection Agency utilizing Chicago Bridge and Iron Company’s Federal Services serving as the third-party-contractor through the EPA’s Test and Evaluation Facility. This five phase commercial pilot will include significant testing of the Pilus Energy Electrogenic Bioreactor Synthetic Biology Platform for generating value from wastewater.

On March 10, 2014, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire California based Honeywood, LLC, a developer of a tropical medicinal cannabis product which is a therapeutic cream that currently sells in numerous dispensaries across the State of California. This definitive agreement is valid for a period of 120 days and the Company has advanced to Honeywood approximately $175,000 in cash and incurred legal fees and other costs of approximately $299,000 as at June 30, 2014. See Note 12.
F- 6,7

Bacterial Robotics, LLC

On October 29, 2013, the Company entered into a strategic alliance agreement between the Company and Bacterial Robotics, LLC (the Parties) to develop a relationship for the research and development of the NuclearBot Technology that will be marketed and monetized pursuant to a Definitive Agreement. Accordingly, subject to the terms of this agreement, (a) Bacterial Robotics agrees to develop a whitepaper which may be delivered as a readable electronic file, on the subject of utilizing the NuclearBot Technology in the cleansing of nuclear wastewater created in the operation of a nuclear power plant (the “Whitepaper”), which Bacterial Robotics shall deliver to the Company within ninety (90) days of the agreement, which may be extended upon mutual agreement based upon unexpected complexities, and (b) the parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts in good faith to (1) identify prospective pilot programs, projects and opportunities for the NuclearBot Technology for the Parties to strategically and jointly pursue, (2) enter into a joint venture, in which the Company will be the majority and controlling owner, for the purpose of (A) marketing and selling products and services utilizing the NuclearBot Technology, (B) sublicensing the NuclearBot Technology and (C) owning all improvements to the NuclearBot Technology, and other inventions and intellectual property, jointly developed by the Parties and (3) negotiate terms and conditions of Definitive Agreements. As consideration for the strategic alliance, the Company issued a $25,000 deposit upon signing the agreement. Additionally, the Company issued a 5 year warrant for up to 75,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with a value of $1,139,851 and an additional $25,000 in cash. The Company amortizes the fee of $1,189,851 over the ten year life of the licensing agreement, and through March 31, 2014 the accumulated amortization amounted to $48,952. At March 31, 2014, the Company determined that it was not going to pursue the market nor invest additional capital to fund the commercialization and accordingly, considered the remaining net value to be impaired recording an impairment charge of $1,140,899.
F-17
F- 17

F- 10

Tauriga Sciences Inc. Wholly Owned Subsidiary Pilus Energy LLC Invited to Present and Participate at EPA Technology Innovation Showcase on December 2, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Oct 02, 2014
OTC Disclosure & News Service
CINCINNATI, Oct. 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified life sciences company with interests in the natural wellness sector and in developing a proprietary synthetic biology platform technology, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy") was invited to participate at the EPA Technology Innovation Showcase ("the Showcase) on December 2, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Showcase will be held at the EPA's Environmental Research Center and at the Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center (across the street from EPA) from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on that day. Pilus Energy will present about its proprietary Electrogenic Bioreactor ("EBR") technology platform in the morning and then in the afternoon Pilus Energy's General Manager, Mr. Cody Harrison, will participate in a discussion panel.

Source: http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TAUG/news/Tauriga-Sciences-Inc--Wholly-Owned-Subsidiary-Pilus-Energy-LLC-Invited-to-Present-and-Participate-at-EPA-Technology-Innovation-Showcase-on-December-2--2014-in-Cincinnati--Ohio?id=88934&b=y
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Tauriga Sciences Inc. Subsidiary Pilus Energy LLC Receives Approval from the US EPA to Commence Scaled Up Pilot Test
Sep 16, 2014
OTC Disclosure & News Service
CINCINNATI, Sept. 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified life sciences company with interests in the natural wellness sector and in developing a proprietary synthetic biology platform technology, announced that on September 8, 2014, through its wholly owned subsidiary Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy"), received final approval for its Health and Safety Plan ("H & S Plan"). The approval was granted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the project subcontractor Chicago Bridge & Iron (NYSE:CBI) ("CB & I"), which operates the EPA's Test & Evaluation ("T & E") Facility where the next phase of the commercial pilot will take place. This final approval, along with the already approved Quality Assurance Project Plan ("QA Plan"), will enable the Company to commence development scale pilot testing at the EPA T& E Facility. The facility is co-located with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Great Cincinnati's ("MSDGC") largest wastewater treatment plant, on the Mill Creek site, which flows directly into the Ohio river.
In March, Tauriga's Pilus subsidiary launched a five-phase commercial pilot study to customize a proprietary "wastewater to value" solution and to demonstrate feasibility of applying Pilus's synthetic biology platform to a large scale industrial sewage treatment plant. The vast majority of the Company's testing and resources to date have been allocated to the EPA T & E facility, where Tauriga is currently culturing the genetically enhanced bacteria ("Wastewater BactoBot") to be used in the Electrogenic Bioreactor ("EBR"). The Company has also inoculated a bioreactor with the Bots and will start generating wastewater remediation data within the next two weeks, followed by electricity generation test soon after.

Tauriga's CEO Dr. Stella M. Sung commented, "Receiving the approval to begin pilot testing at the EPA's T&E facility represents an important shift from benchtop scale science to development scale optimization. We look forward to analyzing the wastewater remediation results from our custom genetically engineered stains of bacterial, because this will inform and guide the next stages of our commercial pilot project, with our end goal of producing a large scale, effective and environmentally friendly solution for capturing value from organic pollutants."

Dr. Ting Lu, project manager at MSDGC expressed, "The Bactbot project has been making a lot of progress so far, and it can potentially solve many challenges that wastewater treatment has, such as treating high strength wastes while generating energy. MSDGC is excited about this technology and looks forward to its success."

Currently Tauriga is fabricating a minimum of five dedicated EBRs, which will have a 6-8 hour average retention time of the waste, leading to approximately 100 gallons per day of wastewater throughput. This wastewater will go through a full suite of testing including metrics such as Chemical Oxygen Demand ("COD"), Total Organic Carbon ("TOC"), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen ("TKN"), Volatile Organic Compounds ("VOCs"), as well as others. During this process Tauriga will be fabricating additional reactors with the intention of having 200% to 300% of this capacity installed on a mobile demonstration unit that can be taken to wastewater generators all around Cincinnati and the surrounding area.

Source: http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TAUG/news/Tauriga-Sciences-Inc--Subsidiary-Pilus-Energy-LLC-Receives-Approval-from-the-US-EPA-to-Commence-Scaled-Up-Pilot-Test?id=88009&b=y
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Tauriga Sciences Inc. Executes Investment Banking Agreement With Tokyo, Japan Based Dragoon Capital Inc.
Aug 25, 2014

OTC Disclosure & News Service
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified life sciences company with interests in the natural wellness sector and in developing a proprietary synthetic biology platform technology, today announced that it has entered into an investment banking agreement with Tokyo, Japan based investment banking firm Dragoon Capital, Inc. ("Dragoon"). Through this investment banking agreement, Dragoon has agreed on a best efforts basis to secure the Company a private placement equity capital financing from its extensive base of both Japanese institutional and accredited individual investors. The proceeds from this private placement, if and when complete, should enable the Company to expand its medicinal cannabis and complementary natural wellness businesses as well as provide Pilus Energy with capital as it advances its pilot test program with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati ("MSDGC") and the EPA T&E department (Environmental Protection Agency's Testing & Evaluation department).

Dragoon Capital Inc. is an independent investment banking firm that specializes in advising and funding emerging growth companies in Japan and worldwide. The shares offered under this investment banking agreement will be offered solely to Japanese domiciled institutional and accredited individual investors. The Company is also exploring the possibility of expanding some of its product lines to the Japanese marketplace.

Tauriga's CEO, Dr. Stella M.Sung commented, "The Company is pleased to sign this investment banking agreement with Dragoon Capital and is excited to enhance its presence and visibility in the Japanese investor community. The Company is actively seeking opportunities to increase revenue and expand into new markets, both domestically and internationally."

Dragoon Capital Inc. CEO Shuichi Uda stated, "Our investment banking firm is delighted to represent Tauriga Sciences, Inc. to the Japanese investment community. After careful due diligence, it was clear that Tauriga has a highly qualified management team and significant business opportunities in compelling growth segments of the market. We look forward to watching Tauriga evolve with the benefit of additional growth capital."

Source: http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TAUG/news/Tauriga-Sciences-Inc--Executes-Investment-Banking-Agreement-With-Tokyo--Japan-Based-Dragoon-Capital-Inc-?id=86675&b=y
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Tauriga Sciences Inc. Appoints University of Cincinnati Biochemistry Professor Daniel J. Hassett, Ph.D. as Member of Company's Scientific and Medical Advisory Board
Aug 04, 2014

OTC Disclosure & News Service
CINCINNATI, Aug. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) ("Tauriga" or the "Company"), a diversified life sciences company, has today announced the appointment of Dr. Daniel Hassett ("Dr. Hassett") as a member of the Company's Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Hassett was the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy") prior to Tauriga's acquisition of wholly-owned subsidiary Pilus Energy on January 28, 2014. Dr. Hassett's microbiology expertise is of great importance as the Company advances its five-phase commercial pilot test with the EPA's Test and Evaluation facility and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati to scale up Pilus Energy's synthetic biology platform for generating value from wastewater.

Tauriga's Chairman & CEO Dr. Stella Sung commented, "The Company is fortunate to have recruited Dr. Daniel Hassett to its Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. Not only is Dr. Hassett one of the foremost experts on the specific microorganisms used in the proprietary Pilus Energy technology, but he is conveniently located in Cincinnati, near our commercial pilot test site. I believe Dr. Hassett's involvement in Tauriga will create shareholder value by continuing to build and expand Pilus Energy's capabilities and market opportunities."

Newly appointed Scientific and Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Daniel Hassett stated, "I am enthusiastic about the progress that Pilus Energy has made since it was acquired by Tauriga, and I look forward to providing my advice and expertise in selecting and enhancing specific bacterial strains for optimizing the Pilus 'wastewater to value' platform."

Please see below bio Daniel J. Hassett, PhD:
Currently a fully tenured professor of molecular genetics, biochemistry, and microbiology at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine. Dr. Hassett is an award-winning expert on cystic fibrosis, particularly as it relates to infectious microorganism. He is a frequent invited speaker, convener, and symposia presenter with over 100 scientific events thus far. He has participated in the thesis defense and/or doctoral exams for nearly thirty graduate students. Dr. Hassett manages a lab and has gained over $15M in grants and donations as a research leader.

He is a journal reviewer for the following 19 journals (in alphabetic order): Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Cell, Cell-Host and Microbe, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Frontiers in Microbiology, Gene, Infection and Immunity, Journal of Bacteriology, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Letters in Applied Microbiology, Microbial Pathogenesis, Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology, Plant-Microbe Interactions, PloS Medicine, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Science, Trends in Microbiology Reviews.

His intellectual property developments include: 1. Streaking Jack Inoculator. A device that isolates single bacterial colonies from a mixed population in 5 seconds. With U.C. and Bell-Art Scientific. 2. OprF, a biomarker for cystic fibrosis lung disease and an anaerobic drug target. 3. Use of nitrite composition to kill pathogenic bacteria during airway and abscess infections. Aires Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA, November 2006, Toxicology completed, 8-07; Phase I human trials completed August 2008. Phase II trials-anticipated start, October 2008.

Professor Hassett has to his credit over 130 journal articles and/or reviews.

Source: http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TAUG/news/Tauriga-Sciences-Inc--Appoints-University-of-Cincinnati-Biochemistry-Professor-Daniel-J--Hassett--Ph-D--as-Member-of-Company-s-Scientific-and-Medical-Advisory-Board?id=85496&b=y

What is the Electrogenic Bioreactor (EBR)?
Pilus Energy is developing a BactoBot™-enabled microbial technology that incorporates the use of synthetic biology and fuel cell technology (in the form of an electrogenic bioreactor [EBR]) to treat and clean polluting molecules from wastewater while generating electricity and other economically important gases and chemicals (known as a “wastewater-to-value” platform). Pilus Energy’s clean tech platform includes the use of two specific BactoBots™: RemediBot™ and GalvaniBot™. RemediBot™ is simply added to the water, while GalvaniBot™ is used in conjunction with an EBR, allowing it to produce electricity, clean water, and valuable biogases and chemicals.

The heart of the Pilus Energy technology is the scalable EBR platform, a next-generation microbial fuel cell. The microbial fuel cell uses a chemical reaction inside bacteria as the source of its electrons and protons. The bacteria, in this case the Company’s proprietary GalvaniBot™, digests and breaks down over 400 different organic waste molecules in sewage. This digestive process not only treats the wastewater but also generates electrons and hydrogen ions and protons. The electrons can be collected and turned into electricity to be used as an energy source, or returned and combined with hydrogen ions and protons to form remediated water, water vapor, methane, or isoprene (a compound used to create synthetic rubber).

According to Tauriga, the Pilus Energy platform is more robust and up to 18 times more efficient than legacy wastewater treatment technologies, such as fermentation and digestion. The BactoBots™ resist heavy metal poisoning, swings of pH, and can survive in a temperature range of 4 to 45 degrees Celsius. In addition, they are anaerobically and aerobically active. Furthermore, BactoBots™ are believed to be environmentally friendly, as the highly metabolic bacteria are non-pathogenic and do not pollute the environment.

EX-99.1 4 taug_ex991.htm PRESS RELEASE
Exhibit 99.1

Tauriga Sciences Inc. Completes Acquisition of Innovative Synthetic Biology Firm Pilus Energy LLC and Positions Itself in Nascent $10 Billion Annual Wastewater-to-Value Market

CINCINNATI, Jan. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified company focused on generating profitable revenues through license agreements and the development of a proprietary technology platform in the nano-robotics space, today completed the acquisition of Cincinnati, Ohio based synthetic biology pioneer Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy"). Structurally Pilus Energy will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Tauriga (pursuant to the terms of the definitive agreement) and will maintain its headquarters location in the State of Ohio. The management of Pilus Energy will report directly to both the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of Tauriga with the expectation that at least one board seat of Tauriga will be allocated to a Pilus Energy affiliate. The Board of Directors of Tauriga Sciences unanimously approved both the previously announced definitive merger agreement (11/25/2013) as well as the completion of the acquisition inclusive of amended closing terms.

In consideration for early closing of this acquisition, shareholders of Pilus Energy received 100,000,000 shares of Tauriga Sciences, Inc. common stock, representing a fair market value of approximately $2,000,000 USD (as of 01/27/2014). Both management teams are highly confident that the capital and liquidity needs will be sufficiently met through commitments from existing institutional investors and progress in non-dilutive funding initiatives (i.e., grants, low interest loans). The main benefits in accelerating the closing of this acquisition are to enhance Tauriga's access to capital markets and enable the intrinsic value of Pilus Energy's technology to be realized sooner through demonstrable progress in the commercialization process.

Pilus Energy utilizes a proprietary clean technology to convert industrial customer "wastewater" into value. This wastewater-to-value ("WTV") proposition provides customers with substantial revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities. Pilus Energy is converging digester, fermenter, scrubber, and other proven legacy technologies into a single scalable Electrogenic Bioreactor ("EBR") platform. This transformative microbial fuel cell technology is the basis of the Pilus Cell(TM). The EBR harnesses genetically enhanced bacteria, also known as bacterial robots, or BactoBots™, that remediate water, harvest direct current (DC) electricity, and produce economically important gases and chemicals. The EBR accomplishes this through bacterial metabolism, specifically cellular respiration of nearly four hundred carbon and nitrogen molecules typically called pollutants in wastewater. Pilus Energy's highly metabolic bacteria are non-pathogenic. Because of the mediated biofilm formation, these wastewater-to-value BactoBots™ resist heavy metal poisoning, swings of pH, and survive in a 4-to-45 degree Celsius temperature range. Additionally, the BactoBots™ are anaerobically and aerobically active, even with low biological oxygen demand ("BOD") and chemical oxygen demand ("COD").

In order to prevent escape into the environment or theft and cloning of the technology, these BactoBots™ must be used in concert with Pilus Energy's Genetic Rights Management ("GeRM") keys. The GeRM keys consists of inert, non-toxic molecules that must be added to the feedstock before it comes in contact with the BactoBots™ otherwise the BactoBots will self-destruct starting with their DNA and RNA. The Company issued a detailed press release about the significance of the GeRM keys on Friday, January 24, 2014 (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tauriga-sciences-inc-highlights-pilus-141020389.html).

In completing its acquisition of Pilus Energy, Tauriga has acquired a significant portfolio of global Intellectual Property ("IP") assets from Bacterial Robotics, LLC ("Bacterial Robotics"), relating to "BactoBots™", bacteria or other microbial cells specifically tailored to perform a programmed function like a microscopic organism-based robot. Most significantly, United States ("U.S.") Patent No. 8,354,267 entitled "Microbial Fuel Cell" issued to Pilus Energy in January, 2013. This patent may represent one of the world's first synthetic biology inventions seeking to extract values (industrially important chemicals and gases) from wastewater. Numerous additional pending patent applications, and other evolving innovations were acquired by Tauriga at closing as well. This intellectual property portfolio assigned to Tauriga by Bacterial Robotics positions the Company at the vanguard of commercial applications, such as industrial wastewater remediation; providing industrial customers with substantial revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities. Please see the following link for detailed information on U.S. Patent No. 8,354,267 (http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8354267.PN.&OS=PN/8354267&RS=PN/8354267).

The global water industry is currently estimated at $450 Billion per year, with an approximate annual growth rate of 6%. The global wastewater-to-value market is currently estimated at $10 Billion and expected to grow to $27 Billion by the year 2021. In addition, there are currently more than 150,000 water treatment facilities in the United States as well as more than 54,000 wastewater utilities.

Post closing, the Company's main focus is obtaining the requisite environmental permits to commence the commercial pilot tests that are crucial to generating significant future revenues and earnings. The initial two pilot tests, as previously mentioned, are likely to be administered for Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati ("MSDGC") and the world's largest beer manufacturer.

Tauriga's CEO Seth M. Shaw, expressed, "Tauriga Sciences built a very strong and diversified shareholder base, which includes a number of top tier institutional investors. By completing this acquisition in an accelerated manner, the Company is now the bonafide owner of Pilus Energy's proprietary wastewater-to-value, BactoBot™ enabled Electrogenic Bioreactor technology platform. The overall risk to investors is now greatly reduced and we are working expeditiously to commence the commercial pilot tests and transition into a revenue generating company."

Bacterial Robotics, LLC, CEO, Jason E. Barkeloo, added, "By accelerating the merger agreement, the shareholders of Bacterial Robotics and Pilus Energy recognize Tauriga's management team's ability to deliver commercial results of the Pilus Energy technology. I believe the merger of Tauriga and Pilus strengthens investor value with a clear path to revenues. Prior to making this important decision, we held extensive joint conversations with several key institutional investors of Tauriga. I concluded that the combined entity has an exceedingly strong technology, management, and investor foundation. This force-multiplier effect reduces risks and increases the opportunity for success."

Dr. Stella M. Sung, Tauriga's COO, stated, "I am extremely excited for all of our shareholders that we were able to complete this acquisition and are afforded the opportunity to develop a cutting edge technology with numerous global applications. I am also pleased to report that over the past several weeks, the Company has made meaningful progress in its efforts to secure substantial tranches of non-dilutive funding. There are multiple opportunities in play and the Company is working very hard to turn those into reality."

The Global 100 law firm, Nixon Peabody LLP ("Nixon Peabody") represented Tauriga Sciences Inc. in completing the acquisition of Pilus Energy LLC and will continue to represent the company moving forward.

About Tauriga Sciences, Inc.:

Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (TAUG) is a diversified company focused on generating profitable revenues through license agreements and the development of a proprietary technology platform in the nano-robotics space. The mission of the Company is to acquire and build a diversified portfolio of cutting edge technology assets that is capital efficient and of significant value to the shareholders. The Company's business model includes the acquisition of licenses, equity stakes, rights on both an exclusive and non-exclusive basis, and entire businesses. Management is firmly committed to building lasting shareholder value in the short, intermediate, and long terms. The Company's new corporate website can be found at (www.tauriga.com).

Receives Engineering Plan for BactoBots for Nuclear Industry

Tauriga Sciences Inc. Receives Product Engineering Plan for Polychlorinated Biphenyl Remediating BactoBots(TM) for the Nuclear Industry ("NuclearBot(TM)"); Foundation for New Intellectual Property - Jan 21, 2014
http://app.quotemedia.com/quotetool.....ff&webmasterId=101442

"NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified company focused on generating profitable revenues through license agreements and the development of a proprietary technology platform in the nano-robotics space, and its strategic partner Bacterial Robotics LLC ("Bacterial Robotics"), today announced the completion of a confidential whitepaper to engineer and construct a Polychlorinated Biphenyl ("PCB") remediating bacterial robot ("BactoBot™") for the nuclear industry ("NuclearBot™"). Tauriga is planning to add a PCB-degrading, genetically-enhanced organism to its developing line of water remediating technologies and products.

The delivered plan calls for a proprietary reactor that harnesses the NuclearBot to deliver the fastest and most efficient pathway to PCB degradation. To achieve this goal, through synthetic biology, the genes from one organism with low industrial survival rates will be transferred into a robust organism. Since the two species belong to the same genus, Bacterial Robotics does not expect any cross-species genetic incompatibility.

PCBs are a family of highly poisonous and polluting compounds present in industrial chemicals such as coolants, insulating and hydraulic fluids, and plasticizers. PCBs are stable in soils and sediments, where they represent a long-term health and environmental hazard. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("US EPA") has a zero tolerance policy for the release of PCBs into the environment. Although PCBs can be slowly degraded by naturally occurring bacteria in water, soil, and sediments, the remediation speed and application diversity are severely limited. We intend to develop a profitable product that increases the speed of PCB remediation while decreasing deployment limitations.

PCBs show toxic and mutagenic effects by interfering with hormones in the body. Potential health effects include cancers and skin, sexual, skeletal diseases, and mental developmental issues.

The Current Challenges for the Nuclear Industry are:

As in many other industries, thermo-nuclear facilities are burdened with the responsibility of handling PCB-contaminated fluids. Nuclear facilities face a double hazard. First, PCBs can leak into cooling fluids and wastewater than can be potentially discharged into the environment with wastewater effluents. Secondly, PCBs have a high concentration in hydraulic fluids. The cost of storage and/or disposal of these highly concentrated PCBs climb exponentially if they are radioactive, for example the highly radioactive hydraulic fluids from the reactor Control Rod Drive Mechanism (CRDM).

For wastewater effluents, nuclear plants currently utilize a series of ionic exchange resins that are used to adsorb PCBs before discharge into the environment to prevent the PCBs leaking into environmental water and soil. Also, monitoring of effluents is practiced to control the efficacy of pre-discharge fluids. For hydraulic fluids, long-term storage in drums is used to contain PCBs.

The engineering team will be comprised of:

1) Strain Development Expert -- Pablo Pomposiello Miravent, PhD, Chief Consulting BactoBot Engineer, Bacterial Robotics LLC

2) Reactor Prototyping and Testing Expert -- Professor, major USA research university

3) Product Development Expert -- Jason E. Barkeloo, Chief Executive Officer, Bacterial Robotics LLC

4) Electrofluidics Expert -- Dr. Jason C. Heikenfeld, Director of Novel Devices Laboratory ("NDL"), University of Cincinnati

5) Chemistry Expert -- Dr. Stella M. Sung, Chief Operating Officer, Tauriga Sciences Inc., Chemistry Ph.D. Harvard University

6) Effluent Analysis -- A Major U.S. Based Nuclear Power Plant (PWR)

Tauriga's COO, Dr. Stella M. Sung commented, "The completion of the NuclearBot whitepaper represents an important piece of tangible progress derived from the strategic alliance with Bacterial Robotics. In constructing this product and intellectual development plan, the PCB related problems afflicting the nuclear industry were carefully considered and the proposed solution incorporates a sophisticated synthetic biology-based plan that includes the incorporation of naturally occurring PCB remediating genes into a highly metabolic strain of bacteria. If successful in this project, the Company believes that the addressable market is quite large and certainly global."

Bacterial Robotics, LLC, CEO, Jason E. Barkeloo, added, "The Bacterial Robotics team is fascinated by the opportunity to build upon its Pilus Energy product development success. Such a solution could prevent health and environmental problems. A successful product could result in significantly profitable business opportunities for both companies."

Bacterial Robotics and Tauriga Sciences entered into a comprehensive Joint Venture Partnership ("JVP") on October 29, 2013. With respect to this JVP, Tauriga will be the majority and controlling owner of the resulting PCB-remediating NuclearBot product and commercialization entity. During the product development process, which includes commercial pilot testing, the Company anticipates the filing of new domestic and international patents. All future intellectual property pertaining to the NuclearBot will be owned by the JVP.

This previously announced JVP between Tauriga Sciences Inc. and Bacterial Robotics LLC is completely separate from the Company's proposed acquisition of Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy"). However, the PCB-remediating NuclearBot complements the Pilus Energy wastewater-to-value intellectual property portfolio.

On November 25, 2013, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cincinnati, Ohio based Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy"), a developer of alternative cleantech energy platforms using proprietary microbial solutions that generate electricity while consuming polluting organic molecules from wastewater. Upon consummation of the proposed reverse merger, which was unanimously ratified by Tauriga's board of directors, Pilus Energy will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tauriga.

Tauriga Sciences Inc executes five year service agreement with University of Cincinnati Research Institute

Thursday, 6 Feb 2014 08:15am EST
Tauriga Sciences Inc:Says the execution of a multi faceted service agreement with the University of Cincinnati Research Institute (UCRI) to facilitate the commercialization of the company's proprietary bacterial robot (BactoBot) technology platform for treatment and remediation of wastewater.Says through the signing of this agreement with UCRI, the company gains access to a work class laboratory in preparation for its anticipated two commercial pilot tests.Says it has plans to develop new products, such as the PCB remediating Nuclear BactoBot(tm), and the rapid prototyping of the UCRI scientists will be of great value to the company.Says the service agreement between Tauriga and UCRI is a five year (60 month) agreement with the effective date of Feb. 03.

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified company focused on generating profitable revenues through license agreements and the development of a proprietary technology platform in the nanorobotics space, has today announced the execution of a definitive agreement to acquire Cincinnati, Ohio based Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy"), a developer of alternative cleantech energy platforms using proprietary microbial solutions that creates electricity while consuming polluting molecules from wastewater. Upon consummation of the proposed reverse merger, which has been unanimously ratified by Tauriga's board of directors, Pilus Energy will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tauriga. In addition certain advisors of Pilus Energy will be incorporated into the existing management team of Tauriga and will report directly to the Company's CEO, Seth M. Shaw and COO, Dr. Stella M. Sung.

Pilus Energy LLC utilizes a proprietary clean technology to convert industrial customer "wastes" into value. This waste-to-value ("WTV") proposition provides customers with substantial revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities. Pilus Energy is converging digester, fermenter, scrubber, and other proven technologies into a scalable Electrogenic Bioreactor ("EBR") platform. This transformative technology is the basis of the Pilus Cell™. The EBR harnesses genetically enhanced bacteria, also known as bacterial robots, or BactoBots™, that remediate water, harvest direct current (DC) electricity, and produce economically important gases. The EBR accomplishes this through bacterial metabolism, specifically cellular respiration of nearly four hundred carbon and nitrogen molecules. Pilus Energy's highly metabolic bacteria are non-pathogenic. Because of the mediated biofilm formation, these wastewater-to-value BactoBots resist heavy metal poisoning, swings of pH, and survive in a 4-to-45 degree Celsius temperature range. Additionally the BactoBots are anaerobically and aerobically active, even with low BOD/COD.

Under terms of this definitive agreement, each membership unit of Pilus Energy will be converted into warrants exercisable for common stock of Tauriga. In addition, Tauriga anticipates the appointment of new directors and officers following the proposed acquisition.

The main closing terms include the issuance of warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 100,000,000 shares of TAUG common stock to the members of Pilus Energy, the successful completion by Tauriga of a $2,250,000 USD capital raise, which the Company has a maximum of 180 days to complete, and the satisfactory completion of comprehensive due diligence by Tauriga, among other closing conditions. As a condition to the transaction, Pilus Energy will obtain an exclusive license to the technology described above from Bacterial Robotics LLC, the parent of Pilus Energy.

The requisite capital raise, mentioned above as a main closing term, is specifically for the purpose of funding two distinct Pilus Energy pilot programs, which if successful, could result in significant high margin revenues for the Company over the coming years. These two planned pilot programs, ready to be initiated upon closing, are with Fortune 500 Company Anheuser-Busch InBev ("Anheuser-Busch"), a global brewing company, engaged in the production, marketing, distribution, and sale of beer, and the Metropolitan Sewer District ("MSD") of Greater Cincinnati, which serves the wastewater removal and treatment needs of over 800,000 residents and businesses in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Jason E. Barkeloo, currently the President of Pilus Energy, will elected to the Company's business advisory board and will continue to serve as CEO of Bacterial Robotics LLC ("Bacterial Robotics"), an existing strategic partner of Tauriga's developing a bacterial robot ("BactoBot™") for the nuclear power industry. Tauriga continues to make excellent progress in the development of the nuclear energy BactoBot ("NuclearBot™") and the Company's merger with Pilus Energy will not result in a loss of focus or momentum with respect to these efforts.

Tauriga's CEO Seth M. Shaw commented, "The completion of this definitive merger agreement marks a major milestone for both companies and their stockholders and their shared goals of commercializing industry specific bacterial robots to benefit both industry and society. The quality of the relationships developed by Pilus Energy is a testament to both their innovative technology platform and talented management team and affiliates. Additionally the completion of this merger would provide Tauriga with a powerful business model capable of producing significant recurring revenues with a strong built in net profit margin."

CINCINNATI, Jan. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
In completing its acquisition of Pilus Energy, Tauriga has acquired a significant portfolio of global Intellectual Property ("IP") assets from Bacterial Robotics, LLC ("Bacterial Robotics"), relating to "BactoBots™", bacteria or other microbial cells specifically tailored to perform a programmed function like a microscopic organism-based robot. Most significantly, United States ("U.S.") Patent No. 8,354,267 entitled "Microbial Fuel Cell" issued to Pilus Energy in January, 2013. This patent may represent one of the world's first synthetic biology inventions seeking to extract values (industrially important chemicals and gases) from wastewater. Numerous additional pending patent applications, and other evolving innovations were acquired by Tauriga at closing as well. This intellectual property portfolio assigned to Tauriga by Bacterial Robotics positions the Company at the vanguard of commercial applications, such as industrial wastewater remediation; providing industrial customers with substantial revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities. Please see the following link for detailed information on U.S. Patent No. 8,354,267 (http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8354267.PN.&OS=PN/8354267&RS=PN/8354267).

December 09, 2013 - 09:54 http://www.stockhouse.com/companies/bullboard/taug/tauriga-sciences-inc?postid=21985243

Electrogenic Results, From Samples of Wastewater Treated

Tauriga Sciences Inc. +Pilus Energy LLC Announce Positive Electrogenic Results, From Samples of Wastewater Treated @United States Environmental Protection Agency Test +Evaluation Facility - Dec 9, 2013
http://app.quotemedia.com/quotetool.....ff&webmasterId=101442

"NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified company focused on generating profitable revenues through license agreements and the development of a proprietary technology platform in the nanorobotics space, today announced the analytical chemistry and positive electrogenic results of wastewater samples treated from a manufacturing plant operated by the world's largest beer manufacturer ("world's largest brewery" or "brewery"). These results reflect Pilus Energy LLC's ("Pilus Energy") wastewater-to-value BactoBot™ treatment results from 6 different samples of wastewater from within the brewery (1 sample per location). The wastewater samples (measured in gallons) treated with Pilus Energy's wastewater-to-value BactoBot were at room temperature and without any additives such as buffers and enzymes. The following results were recorded by the independent Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") contractor The Shaw Group (Formerly NYSE:SHAW) at the United States EPA Testing and Evaluation facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Note that on February 13, 2013, The Shaw Group was acquired by the global engineering firm Chicago Bridge and Iron Company NV ("CB & I"). Please view the comprehensive sample test results assembled in the below tables:

Brewery Wastewater Pollutant Component - Percentage Reduced with RemediBot™/GalvaniBot™ treatment

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) 94.97%
Total chemical oxygen demand (COD) 48.55%
Soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) 45.25%
Total suspended solids (TSS) 57.89%
Total biological oxygen demand (BOD) (5-day residency time) 81.15%
Total organ carbon (TOC) 53.18%

The value proposition in both preventing caustic damage from hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and odor masking the environmentally released hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the brewery equals approximately $225,000.00 USD per year for this plant. These hydrogen sulfide reduction of 94.97% far exceeded the Company's expectations and the Company believes that hydrogen sulfide related damage is not limited to the beer manufacturing industry. The ability to successfully reduce hydrogen sulfide content from wastewater, in and of itself, represents a potential multi-million dollar per year opportunity for the Company.

Additionally Pilus Energy's proprietary GalvaniBot™ generated 5W per m2 of electricity from one of the brewery's wastewater samples, clearly illustrating the wastewater-to-value benefits of the technology platform. The GalvaniBot is named for the 18th century Italian physicist Luigi Galvani who performed one of the first bioelectricity studies of the nervous system; His work ultimately gave rise to the galvanic cell.

Tauriga's CEO Seth M. Shaw commented, "Not including the values extractable from the wastewater, this is the first time that multiple wastewater pollutants were removed by a single solution. It represents a breakthrough in wastewater remediation because it replaces legacy technologies by converging their functions into a single solution. The Company is working diligently to secure the requisite capital to complete the acquisition of Pilus Energy and subsequent to that, commence the commercial pilot tests that are crucial to generating significant future revenues."

The specific results abstracted from the analytical data report provided by The Shaw Group subsidiary Shaw Environmental, Inc. (now a division of CB & I) as the EPA contractor are listed below:

ACIDITY(pH)

Treatment Unit - pH

Raw WASTEWATER - Raw WASTEWATER (Unaltered) + Wastewater-to-value BactoBot - Percentage Change

Equal Tank 5.70 7.00 +22.81%
Travelling Screen 4.63 5.95 +28.51%
Superseq 5.18 6.67 +28.76%
P.A. Tank 7.49 7.74 +3.34%
Scrubber 8.85 8.93 +0.90%
Reactor 6.66 7.78 +16.82%

Comments:

• pH increased due to addition of wastewater-to-value BactoBot in unaltered raw wastewater.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

Treatment Unit - Hydrogen Sulfide (mg/L)

Raw WASTEWATER - Raw WASTEWATER (Unaltered) + Wastewater-to-value BactoBot - Percentage change

Equal Tank 0.37 0.16 -56.76%
Travelling Screen 0.00 0.00 0
Superseq 0.00 0.00 0
P.A. Tank 1.59 0.16 -89.94%
Scrubber 0.11 0.21 +90.91%
Reactor 3.18 0.16 -94.97%

Comments:

• Hydrogen sulfide concentration decreased due to addition of wastewater-to-value BactoBot in unaltered raw wastewater.

Total CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD)

Treatment Unit - Total COD (mg/L)

Raw WASTEWATER - Raw WASTEWATER + Wastewater-to-value BactoBot - Percentage change

Equal Tank 6830 6760 -1.02%
Travelling Screen 6680 5685 -14.90%
Superseq 4960 3130 -36.90%
P.A. Tank 1730 890 -48.55%
Scrubber 260 325 +25.00%
Reactor 1040 1330 +27.88%

Comments:
• Total COD of raw wastewater decreased in all process units except scrubber and reactor due to addition of wastewater-to-value BactoBot.

Soluble CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD)

Treatment Unit - Soluble COD (mg/L)

Raw WASTEWATER - Raw WASTEWATER (unaltered) +´Wastewater-to-value BactoBot - Percentage Change

Equal Tank 420.5 311 -26.04%
Travelling Screen 400 219 -45.25%
Superseq 332 239 -28.01%
P.A. Tank 38.5 40.5 +5.19%
Scrubber 68.5 237 +245.99%
Reactor 27 66.5 +146.30%

Comments:
• Soluble COD of raw wastewater decreased in equal tank, traveling screen and superseq, and increased in P.A. tank, scrubber and reactor due to addition of wastewater-to-value BactoBot.

TOTAL SOLUBLE SOLIDS (TSS)

Treatment Unit - TSS (mg/L)

Raw WASTEWATER - Raw WASTEWATER (Unaltered) + Wastewater-to-value BactoBot

Percentage change

Equal Tank 1175 1270 +8.09%
Travelling Screen 1150 1760 +53.04%
Superseq 365 440 +20.55%
P.A. Tank 1330 560 -57.89%
Scrubber 10.0 150 +1400.00%
Reactor 1255 980 -21.91%

Comments:
• TSS of raw wastewater increased in all process units except the reactor due to addition of wastewater-to-value BactoBot.

Total BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)

Treatment Unit - Total BOD (mg/L)

Raw WASTEWATER - Raw WASTEWATER (Unaltered)+Wastewater-to-value BactoBot

Percentage change

Equal Tank 480.9 714.7 +48.62%
Travelling Screen 312.4 719.7 +130.38%
Superseq 266.4 739.2 +177.48%
P.A. Tank 0.00 716.5 +7164900%
Scrubber 237.9 37.7 -81.15%
Reactor 10.4 243.2 +232.80%

Comments:
• Total BOD of raw wastewater increased in all process units except scrubber due to addition of wastewater-to-value BactoBot.

TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON (TOC)

Treatment Unit - TOC (mg/L)

Raw WASTEWATER - Raw WASTEWATER (Unaltered) + Wastewater-to-value BactoBot

Percentage change

Equal Tank 1025 2045 +99.51%
Travelling Screen 1399 1477 +5.58%
Superseq 1201 1052 -12.41%
P.A. Tank 98.2 69.2 -29.53%
Scrubber 20.3 21.2 +4.43%
Reactor 282.8 132.4 -53.18%

Comments:
• TOC of raw wastewater increased in equal tank and travelling screen, and decreased in superseq, P.A. tank and reactor due to addition of wastewater-to-value BactoBot.

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Tauriga Sciences Inc. Receives Product Engineering Plan for Polychlorinated Biphenyl Remediating BactoBots(TM) for the Nuclear Industry ("NuclearBot(TM)"); Foundation for New Intellectual Property - Jan 21, 2014
http://app.quotemedia.com/quotetool.....ff&webmasterId=101442

"NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified company focused on generating profitable revenues through license agreements and the development of a proprietary technology platform in the nano-robotics space, and its strategic partner Bacterial Robotics LLC ("Bacterial Robotics"), today announced the completion of a confidential whitepaper to engineer and construct a Polychlorinated Biphenyl ("PCB") remediating bacterial robot ("BactoBot™") for the nuclear industry ("NuclearBot™"). Tauriga is planning to add a PCB-degrading, genetically-enhanced organism to its developing line of water remediating technologies and products.

The delivered plan calls for a proprietary reactor that harnesses the NuclearBot to deliver the fastest and most efficient pathway to PCB degradation. To achieve this goal, through synthetic biology, the genes from one organism with low industrial survival rates will be transferred into a robust organism. Since the two species belong to the same genus, Bacterial Robotics does not expect any cross-species genetic incompatibility.

PCBs are a family of highly poisonous and polluting compounds present in industrial chemicals such as coolants, insulating and hydraulic fluids, and plasticizers. PCBs are stable in soils and sediments, where they represent a long-term health and environmental hazard. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("US EPA") has a zero tolerance policy for the release of PCBs into the environment. Although PCBs can be slowly degraded by naturally occurring bacteria in water, soil, and sediments, the remediation speed and application diversity are severely limited. We intend to develop a profitable product that increases the speed of PCB remediation while decreasing deployment limitations.

PCBs show toxic and mutagenic effects by interfering with hormones in the body. Potential health effects include cancers and skin, sexual, skeletal diseases, and mental developmental issues.

The Current Challenges for the Nuclear Industry are:

As in many other industries, thermo-nuclear facilities are burdened with the responsibility of handling PCB-contaminated fluids. Nuclear facilities face a double hazard. First, PCBs can leak into cooling fluids and wastewater than can be potentially discharged into the environment with wastewater effluents. Secondly, PCBs have a high concentration in hydraulic fluids. The cost of storage and/or disposal of these highly concentrated PCBs climb exponentially if they are radioactive, for example the highly radioactive hydraulic fluids from the reactor Control Rod Drive Mechanism (CRDM).

For wastewater effluents, nuclear plants currently utilize a series of ionic exchange resins that are used to adsorb PCBs before discharge into the environment to prevent the PCBs leaking into environmental water and soil. Also, monitoring of effluents is practiced to control the efficacy of pre-discharge fluids. For hydraulic fluids, long-term storage in drums is used to contain PCBs.

The engineering team will be comprised of:

1) Strain Development Expert -- Pablo Pomposiello Miravent, PhD, Chief Consulting BactoBot Engineer, Bacterial Robotics LLC

2) Reactor Prototyping and Testing Expert -- Professor, major USA research university

3) Product Development Expert -- Jason E. Barkeloo, Chief Executive Officer, Bacterial Robotics LLC

4) Electrofluidics Expert -- Dr. Jason C. Heikenfeld, Director of Novel Devices Laboratory ("NDL"), University of Cincinnati

5) Chemistry Expert -- Dr. Stella M. Sung, Chief Operating Officer, Tauriga Sciences Inc., Chemistry Ph.D. Harvard University

6) Effluent Analysis -- A Major U.S. Based Nuclear Power Plant (PWR)

Tauriga's COO, Dr. Stella M. Sung commented, "The completion of the NuclearBot whitepaper represents an important piece of tangible progress derived from the strategic alliance with Bacterial Robotics. In constructing this product and intellectual development plan, the PCB related problems afflicting the nuclear industry were carefully considered and the proposed solution incorporates a sophisticated synthetic biology-based plan that includes the incorporation of naturally occurring PCB remediating genes into a highly metabolic strain of bacteria. If successful in this project, the Company believes that the addressable market is quite large and certainly global."

Bacterial Robotics, LLC, CEO, Jason E. Barkeloo, added, "The Bacterial Robotics team is fascinated by the opportunity to build upon its Pilus Energy product development success. Such a solution could prevent health and environmental problems. A successful product could result in significantly profitable business opportunities for both companies."

Bacterial Robotics and Tauriga Sciences entered into a comprehensive Joint Venture Partnership ("JVP") on October 29, 2013. With respect to this JVP, Tauriga will be the majority and controlling owner of the resulting PCB-remediating NuclearBot product and commercialization entity. During the product development process, which includes commercial pilot testing, the Company anticipates the filing of new domestic and international patents. All future intellectual property pertaining to the NuclearBot will be owned by the JVP.

This previously announced JVP between Tauriga Sciences Inc. and Bacterial Robotics LLC is completely separate from the Company's proposed acquisition of Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy"). However, the PCB-remediating NuclearBot complements the Pilus Energy wastewater-to-value intellectual property portfolio.

On November 25, 2013, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cincinnati, Ohio based Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy"), a developer of alternative cleantech energy platforms using proprietary microbial solutions that generate electricity while consuming polluting organic molecules from wastewater. Upon consummation of the proposed reverse merger, which was unanimously ratified by Tauriga's board of directors, Pilus Energy will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tauriga.
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Microbial Fuel Cells: Plug-in and Power-on Microbiology
http://www.microbemagazine.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=307:microbial-fuel-cells-plug-in-and-power-on-microbiology&catid=132&Itemid=305

These devices already prove valuable for characterizing physiology, modeling electron flow, and framing and testing hypotheses??. Kelly C. Wrighton and John D. Coates??Kelly C. Wrighton is graduate student and John D. Coates is a Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley.??Summary?*Microorganisms may be harnessed through fuel cells to convert organic materials into electricity, hydrogen, or industrially useful chemicals, or to remediate polluted environmental sites.?*In a typical microbial fuel cell (MFC), microbes transfer electrons through a traditional electron transport chain onto an electrode surface generating electricity while producing a proton motive force for ATP generation.?*MFC-based research continues to expand knowledge about the diversity of extracellular electron transfer processes, mechanisms used in such processes, and biofilm ecology.?*Although gram-positive bacteria can generate electrical energy in MFCs, how they transfer electrons without outer membranes is a mystery.?*Bioelectrical reactors do not produce electricity but furnish electrons to reduce remediation targets such as uranium, perchlorate, chlorinated solvents, and nitrate.

If scientists have their way, "green" beer won't be limited to St. Patrick's Day celebrations anymore. Breweries are taking their wastewater, which is rich in organic material, and turning it into electricity with bacteria in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). MFCs can generate valuable commodities from a variety of organic wastes that are abundant and essentially free-bacteria have generated electricity from industrial wastewaters, sewage, and even sediment. In MFCs, bacteria act as living catalysts to convert organic substrates into electricity. While this technology may sound like an answer to our energy crisis, MFCs are not yet viable for most applications. Ongoing research is dedicated to optimizing their performance, with only recent attention being given to the microbial details of waste-towattage conversion.

MFCs may well have a place in the future energy paradigm, as well as in bioremediation and industrial-chemical and hydrogen production. For MFCs to be considered more than a lab novelty, standardization of data expression is necessary to allow reliable and accurate comparison of results. Advances in the hardware, operation, and microbial components are also needed. However, MFCs are valuable research tools for characterizing the physiology and ecology of extracellular electron transfer, modeling electron flow in complex microbial ecosystems, and framing and testing ecology theory.

Denizens of Power: the Role of Bacteria in MFCs

Generating power in MFCs depends on oxidation-reduction (redox) chemistry. MFCs contain anodic and cathodic compartments, each of which holds an electrode separated by a cation-permeable membrane (Fig. 1). In the anode chamber, microbial substrates such as acetate (an electron donor) are oxidized in the absence of oxygen by respiratory bacteria, producing protons and electrons. The electrons are passed through an electron transport chain (ETC) and protons are translocated across the cell membrane to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Electrons and protons exiting the ETC typically pass onto a terminal electron acceptor such as oxygen, nitrate, or Fe(III). However, in the absence of such acceptors in an MFC, some microorganisms pass the electrons onto the anode surface. Difference in redox potentials (i.e., the ability of a compound to donate or accept electrons, denoted Eo and measured in volts) between the electron donor and the electron acceptor is the determinant of the potential energy available to the microorganism for anabolic processes. In an MFC the electrochemical redox potential difference of the anode and cathode determines how much energy is available.

Electrons produced in an MFC flow from the anode through an external electrical circuit to the cathode to generate electrical current. While electrons move externally, protons diffuse from the anode to the cathode via the cation membrane to complete the internal circuit (Fig. 1). At the cathode, the electrons and protons combine to reduce the terminal electron acceptor, which in many applications is oxygen. Therefore bacteria in the anode are physically separated from their terminal electron acceptor in the cathode compartment.

The electrical power (measured in watts) produced by an MFC is based on the rate of electrons moving through the circuit (current, measured in amps) and electrochemical potential difference (volts) across the electrodes. Many factors affect current production, including substrate concentration, bacterial substrate oxidation rate, presence of alternative electron acceptors, and microbial growth. Electrochemical potential, on the other hand, depends on the redox couple between the bacterial respiratory enzyme or electron carrier and the potential at the anode, which is determined by the terminal electron acceptor in the cathode and any system losses. (Fig. 1).

For bacteria to produce electricity in MFCs, the cells need to transfer electrons generated along their membranes to their surfaces. Yet, very little is known about bacterial interactions with electrodes. While anodes and cathodes can function in bacterial respiration, research has been focused on understanding microbial anodic electron transfer. Anode-respiring bacteria catalyze electron transfer in organic substrates onto the anode as a surrogate for natural extracellular electron acceptors (e.g., ferric oxides or humic substances) by a variety of mechanisms (Fig. 2).

Bacteria transfer electrons to anodes either directly or via mediated mechanisms. In direct electron transfer, bacteria require physical contact with the electrode for current production. The contact point between the bacteria and the anode surface requires outer membrane-bound cytochromes or putatively conductive pili called nanowires. Although direct contact of an outermembrane cytochrome to an anodic surface would require microorganisms to be situated upon the electrode itself, direct electron transfer mechanisms are not limited to short-range interactions, as nanowires produced by Geobacter sulfurreducens have been implicated in electron conduction through anode biofilms more than 50 _m thick. In mediated electron transfer mechanisms, bacteria either produce or take advantage of indigenous soluble redox compounds such as quinones and flavins to shuttle electrons between the terminal respiratory enzyme and the anode surface.

Power Tools of Microbiology: MFC Technology Advances Microbial Research Besides generating energy, MFCs are powerful research tools. With electrical current a proxy for bacterial activity, MFCs are controlled systems for addressing a range of questions about extracellular electron transfers. MFC-based research continues to expand knowledge about the diversity of extracellular electron transfers, mechanisms used in such processes, and biofilm ecology.

Microbial research from MFCs has revealed an expansive diversity of bacteria that transfer electrons onto external electron acceptors. Until recently, knowledge of electricity-generating bacteria was limited to bacteria that transfer electrons to solid metals, thus phylogenetically confining most MFC studies to members of the Proteobacteria. However, culture-independent studies of MFC anode biofilms indicate that the diversity of such microbial communities far exceeds that of the available electricity-producing isolates, suggesting that many organisms with this capability are yet to be discovered. This knowledge has spurred interest in using a variety of alternative inoculum sources, operating conditions, and isolation methods to increase the known diversity of electrode-reducing organisms.

For example, in our lab we are using MFCs operated at 55°C, at which temperature the anode- reducing species Geobacter and Shewanella spp. cannot survive. In this way we find anode communities dominated by gram-positive species and have isolated novel organisms from three of the five most dominant populations identified by 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. Characterization revealed that the isolates use species-specific mechanisms for electricity production, emphasizing not only the phylogenetic diversity that exists in active MFCs but also the phenotypic diversity within a single community to perform the same function, i.e., transfer electrons onto an electrode surface.

One isolate, Thermincola strain JR, a member of the Firmicutes, produces current comparable to that of the original MFC community and greater than either Geobacter or Shewanella species in similarly designed MFCs. Furthermore, this is the first example of electrical power production by a gram-positive bacterium without exogenous mediators. A second isolate, Geobacillus strain S2E, also a member of the Firmicutes, is the first member of this genus reported to respire using solid-phase iron oxides.

Our results indicate that microbial analyses from MFCs can result in the discovery of bacteria that are proficient at energy generation and have unique metabolic functions. The significant enrichment of gram-positive bacteria in our systems may signify a new ecological role for these organisms in respiration of insoluble electron acceptors. How these gram-positive bacteria, which lack outer membranes, transfer electrons extracellularly is a mystery.

To optimize MFC performance, we need to learn more about these electrode-reducing microbial communities. Molecular approaches characterizing the microbiology communities in these systems are needed to reveal the phylogenetic diversity as well as the activity of electroderespiring communities. Little is known about population-level interactions within the anode community, but it is foreseeable that these types of interactions can be reinforced or controlled to increase substrate utilization or electron transfer efficiency. Such research could also prove useful for determining the fate, transport, and bioremediation of metals in the environment. Future studies could use MFCs set at different reduction- oxidation potentials to better understand the effects of redox potential and electron donors on microbial community structure and activity.

Elucidating Extracellular Electron Transfer Mechanisms

MFCs as a research tool have expanded our knowledge of bacterial electron transfer mechanisms. Unlike natural external electron acceptors such as Fe(III) or Mn(IV), anodes in MFCs do not participate in mineral dissolution reactions, and electron transfer rates can be quantified. Anodes also provide a stable source of electron acceptor and do not generate reduced products that can interfere with downstream genomic or proteomic applications. Additionally, colonized anodes can be adapted to detect the presence, redox potential, and reversibility of electroactive components in biofilms.

The power of MFCs to elucidate mechanisms of solid-phase electron transfer was convincingly demonstrated in 2008 by researchers at the University of Minnesota. Applying cyclic voltammetry techniques to anode biofilms, they showed that Shewanella spp. excrete flavins which function in anode electron transfer and metal chelation and may aid in adhesion to anode surfaces. Since Shewanella use outer membrane cytochromes and putatively transfer electrons through conductive nanowires, this work shows that extracellular electron transfer mechanisms are not mutually exclusive within a single species. This may account for observed discrepancies in research findings by different laboratories. Understanding how bacteria attach to anodes could allow the design of more efficient electron transfer systems. Genetic and metabolic engineering of electrode active bacteria, including the overexpression of essential cytochromes or shuttling compounds, could increase current production.

Modeling and Framing Biofilm Ecology

Consistent with their behavior in nature, bacteria in MFCs form biofilms on the anode surface. Because MFCs measure real-time bacterial activity and detect redox-active components, they provide a platform for addressing questions about biofilm ecology. For instance, on the basis of mathematical models to describe anode biofilms, Kato Marcus and collaborators at Arizona State University in Tempe determined that the entire anode biofilm is electrically conductive and that biofilm density and detachment are important factors in electrochemical performance.

With these modeling results as a starting point, recent efforts are aimed at increasing the active biomass capable of electron transfer to the anode surface without altering mass transfer events or the physical environment within the anode biofilm. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts found that biofilms formed under increased shear contain a higher density of active bacteria, increasing MFC performance threefold. Future modeling studies could highlight discrepancies between predicted and observed power production in MFCs, suggesting abiotic and biotic areas of improvement.

Beyond modeling, we can explore the environmental and biological cues involved in biofilm formation and dissolution. The role and temporal dynamics of quorum-sensing compounds on anode colonization and current production have not yet been evaluated in MFCs, which is unfortunate given that many signaling molecules may also function as electron-shuttling components in mediated electron transfer. MFCs provide an ideal platform to gain a better understanding of the attachment, succession, dissolution, and interspecies interactions that occur within biofilms. A Current Affair: Ongoing Research and Challenges

MFC research endeavors are increasing each year. Much attention is dedicated to optimizing power generation. Hardware and operational constraints, rather than microbial activity, primarily contribute to limitations in MFC power densities. Improvements in MFC design and materials have significantly improved reactor performance by 10,000-fold since 1999. Despite this advance, a further increase of 10- to 100- fold is required for MFCs to be considered for practical applications.

A major focus is on reducing internal reactor resistance and increasing cathodic reaction efficiency to maximize power in lab-scale systems. However, in such systems the cost of component materials and operation far exceeds the value of energy generated. Economic feasibility studies of large-scale implementation of MFC technology require pilot-scale applications to evaluate the design, construction, operation, and microbial restrictions. We need to know which aspects of MFCs will scale linearly and which will not, and cheaper and more durable electrodes and cation-permeable membranes are required.

Pilot-scale MFCs are being put to the test at Anheuser-Busch Inc. THAT'S PILUS ENERGY!! and Foster's breweries, of the United States and Australia, respectively. Researchers at the two brewing companies separately are evaluating whether MFC technology can be used to treat organic-rich soluble wastewater while producing electricity. Thus, in September 2007 researchers from the University of Queensland and from Foster's began a 1,000-L MFC experiment to address some of the questions surrounding scale-up (Fig. 3a).

Full of Potential: Future Applications of MFC Technology

Microbes participate in a vast array of biochemical reactions to satisfy their energy and resource demands. The microbial metabolism in MFCs can be harnessed for bioremediative, industrial, and hydrogen production applications to produce valuable end products in an environmentally responsible way.

The conversion of biomass, especially organic waste, to energy is considered an essential part of a sustainable global energy portfolio. A variety of potentially valuable underutilized energy sources exist in the United States. For example, assuming that its organic material is completely oxidized to carbon dioxide, human waste could produce 34 billion kWh of energy annually. This represents an enormous untapped energy source. Moreover, MFCs can generate electricity from cellulose. Thus it is feasible for MFCs to treat wastewater from biofuel processing, removing waste material to recycle water while generating electricity. Coupling these technologies to minimize production costs and increase energy recovery could help make "green energy" profitable and sustainable.

While the use of MFCs for wastewater treatment is in its infancy, MFCs as batteries for environmental sensors is nearing practical use. In contrast to traditional batteries, MFCs powered by organic matter in sediments offer advantages as power sources because they can generate energy without a need for recharging. These types of MFCs, called benthic unattended generators (BUGs), have been used in inaccessible areas such as river and ocean sediments. Operation is technically simple; a graphite plate is deployed into the anoxic sediment (anode) that is electrically connected to another graphite plate in the overlaying aerobic water (cathode) (Fig. 3b and 3c). Although power density is minimal, incorporating a capacitor in the electrical circuit stores the produced BUG energy for use in short bursts. Using this approach, a BUG deployed in creek sediment powered an environmental sensor and a wireless data transmitter to monitor air and water temperature and transmit this data to a shore-based receiver.

MFCs have applications beyond electricity production. MFCs are used to power cathodic reduction reactions for bioremedial or industrial processes. Since electricity is not being harvested- the biologically generated current is used to stimulate microbial metabolism on a cathode-these systems are not considered fuel cells, but are called bioelectrical reactors (BERs). An external power source usually provides the reducing equivalents in these systems, but a biological anode may be used. Cathodes have served as electron donors for bacterial reduction of bioremediation targets such as uranium, perchlorate, chlorinated solvents, and nitrate. This technology could be applied to remediate other contaminants including toxic metals, dyes, pesticides, and herbicides.

BERs in which reducing equivalents are produced at the anode may also yield industrially important chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, sulfur, and butanol. Using BERs to produce fuels such as propanol and butanol from organic waste is very appealing. In this process, organic waste with a sugar content too low to allow ethanol production would be microbially fermented in the absence of an electron acceptor into volatile fatty acids (VFA). These VFA can be fed to the cathode compartment, where bacteria would use the electrons supplied from the cathode to reduce VFA into propanol and butanol. This process, using hydrogen rather than MFC cathodes as a source of reducing equivalents, is feasible, according to Kirsten Steinbusch of the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research in the Netherlands. Specific research hurdles include evaluating the use of current rather than hydrogen for reducing equivalents, fine-tuning concentrations of VFA and electrons for favorable thermodynamic conditions, and developing methods for separating the desired end-products from the reactor liquor.

In addition to powering BERs, MFCs can also be modified to produce hydrogen gas. With transportation fuels accounting for up to 25% of global fossil fuel consumption, alternative, sustainable fuel sources are needed. Microbial electrolysis cell (MECs), which like MFCs are based on bacterial oxidation of organic substrates occurring at the anode and electrons flowing to the cathode, can generate renewable hydrogen from waste materials. In MECs an electrochemical potential achieved in the anode is supplemented with an additional ~250 mV from an exogenous source so that electrolysis of water occurs at the cathode, producing hydrogen. Over the past two years research in this area has advanced significantly, with the amount of hydrogen generated per mol of oxidized glucose nearing the U.S. Department of Energy's target for technology viability. Hydrogen production in reactors using existing technology is too low to make large-scale MEC's likely in the immediate future, but a combination of improved reactor design and treatment of organic-rich wastewaters makes this an attractive proposition for the future.

SUGGESTED READING

Logan, B. E., D. Call, S. Cheng, H. V. M. Hamelers, T. H. J. A. Sleutels, A. W. Jeremiasse, and R. A. Rozendal. 2008. Microbial electrolysis cells for high yield hydrogen gas production from organic matter. 42:8630-8640.

Lovley, D. R. 2008. The microbe electric: conversion of organic matter to electricity. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 19:564-571.

Marcus, A. K., C. I. Torres, and B. E. Rittmann. 2007. Conduction-based modeling of the biofilm anode of a microbial fuel cell. 98:1171-1182.

Marsili, E., D. B. Baron, I. D. Shikhare, D. Coursolle, J. A. Gralnick, and D. R. Bond. 2008. Shewanella secretes flavins that mediate extracellular electron transfer. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105:3968-3973.

Pham, T. H., K. Rabaey, P. Alternman, P. Clauwert, L. De Schamphelaire, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2006. Microbial fuel cells in relation to conventional anaerobic digestion technology. Eng. Life Sci. 6:285-292.

Rabaey, K., J. Rodriguez, L. L. Blackall, J. Keller, P. Gross, D. Batstone, W. Verstraete, and K. H. Nealson. 2007. Microbial ecology meets electrochemistry: electricity-driven and driving communities. ISME J. 1:9-18.

Steinbusch, K., H. Hamelers, and C. Buisman. 2008. Alcohol production through volatile fatty acids reduction with hydrogen as electron donor by mixed cultures. Water Res. 42:4059-4066.

Tender, L. M. 2002. Harnessing microbially generated power on the seafloor. Nature Biotechnol. 20:821-825.

Thrash, J. C., and J. D. Coates. 2008. Review: direct and indirect electrical stimulation of microbial metabolism. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42:3921-3931.

Wrighton, K. C., P. Agbo, F. Warnecke, K. A. Weber, E. L. Brodie, T. Z. DeSantis, P. Hugenholtz, G. L. Andersen, and J. D. Coates. 2008. A novel ecological role of the Firmicutes identified in thermophilic microbial fuel cells. ISME J. 2:1146-1156.

https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4f90v626#page-1

pdf scientif report 112 pgs

Tauriga Sciences Commences Commercial Pilot Test to Validate BactoBot Powered EBR Technology
Published on March 29, 2014 at 5:11 AM
Tauriga Sciences Inc. ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified life sciences company with key assets that include license agreements and a proprietary technology platform in the nanorobotics space, has today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Pilus Energy LLC ("Pilus Energy") has commenced a five-phase, $1,700,000 USD commercial pilot test ("commercial pilot") with the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), utilizing Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. ("CB&I") Federal Services serving as the third-party-contractor through the EPA's Test and Evaluation ("T&E") facility.

This five phase commercial pilot will include significant testing of the Pilus Energy Electrogenic Bioreactor ("EBR") synthetic biology platform for generating value from wastewater. This commercial pilot is of great importance to the Company, because it represents the scale up from the benchtop (laboratory) scale to commercial (industrial) scale. The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati ("MSDGR"), which is co-located with EPA's T&E facility, will host the commercial scale EBR prototype at its main treatment plant in Cincinnati.

Pilus Energy's EBR harnesses genetically enhanced bacteria, also known as bacterial robots ("BactoBot™"), that remediate water, harvest direct current ("DC") electricity, and produce economically important gases and chemicals. This BactoBot™ powered EBR technology was originally developed by Cincinnati-based Pilus Energy and University of Cincinnati microbiology professor Daniel Hassett. The EPA became aware of Pilus Energy through Confluence, the regional water technology innovation cluster, and since then has been providing support to the company, in determining the long term potential of the proprietary EBR technology platform, with respect to more effectively remediating waste-water, while simultaneously harnessing the metabolic properties of bacteria to extract direct current electricity and/or hydrogen gas from various wastes.

Tauriga acquired the proprietary EBR technology platform through its completed acquisition of Pilus Energy, which took place on January 28, 2014. The global wastewater-to-value market is currently estimated at $10 billion and is projected to grow to $27 billion by the year 2021.
Tauriga CEO Dr. Stella M. Sung commented, "We are very pleased to commence this important commercial pilot test with the EPA and the MSDGR, which has the potential to provide commercial validation for our proprietary 'wastewater to value' platform and, importantly, potential long-lasting benefits for the city of Cincinnati. A successful commercial pilot would provide a critical step in achieving commercialization and economic development goals."

Biju George, Deputy Director, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, stated, "The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati is excited to be the world's first deployment site for this innovative technology. Due to our location, partners, specialized facilities and personnel, we are perfectly suited to be the pilot site. The Tauriga Sciences value proposition has the promise to change the wastewater industry."

Additionally Sally Gutierrez, Director of the Environmental Technology Innovation Cluster Development and Support Program at the EPA also expressed support of the collaboration. Much of the initial work will be performed at the US EPA Test and Evaluation Facility in Cincinnati.
http://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=5485

PILUS ENERGY LINKS:

Nanorobotics news:
http://www.azorobotics.com/news-category.aspx?CatID=21

The Pilus Cell produces direct current electricity, biogases like hydrogen and isoprene, and water by harnessing genetically enhanced bacteria in an electrogenic bioreactor. The reactor metabolizes nearly 400 different organic compounds typically stored and transported in waste streams. Pilus Energy builds and deploys the technology with waste producers who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint, while extracting value from their wastes. Wastes can include lipids, oils, fats, plant materials (cellulose), BOD/COD, and even pathogens.

Cincinnati Bioscience Research Creates Superbugs to Eat Waste, Produce Energy
Posted by Jaimee Saliba on Wed, Jun 27, 2012
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine molecular geneticist Daniel Hassett (right) has made a name for himself as a determined researcher in the fight against cystic fibrosis (CF). He is also on the front line of bioscience research into creating "superbugs" that eat waste and generate energy, improving dramatically on the efficiency of traditional waste water treatment systems. In a radio interview on WVXU Cincinnati's Focus on Technology, commentator Ann Thompson describes the problem: the largest user of energy is wastewater treatment; the second largest user of water is energy production. If you can find a way to both clean water and generate electricity, you're in business.

Currently, wastewater treatment systems utilize bacterial microorganisms to eat suspended waste in the secondary phase of treatment, but no energy is derived from that process. Later on, in the tertiary treatment phase, methane gas may be produced as a form of energy when solids are dried (and then used as fertilizers). With Hassett's superbugs, which are also known as "BactoBots" when marketed by Colorado-based company Pilus Energy, the household or industrial waste stream is put through a superbug filter wherein the bonds of energy stored in that waste are released in the form of electricity while the water is also purified. That electricity is stored in an ultrasupercapacitor for use later on. Hydrogen gas is also produced for either immediate energy use or storage. Watch Pilus' video on the superbug cell process for a visual understanding of the unique procedure:

In testing the superbugs in their lab recently, Hassett and co-researcher Bob Voorhees made a surprise discovery that compounded the efficiency of the system yet again. They found a secondary bacteria working on the waste matter after the BactoBots had done their work. Instead of having the system shut down when the superbugs completed their activity, the system continued to produce energy for some 4 days more, making a good thing even better.

[University of Cincinnati researchers Bob Voorhees and Dan Hassett in their lab]

A trial of the Pilus BactoBot machinery is about to be conducted by Anheuser-Busch in California at one of their distilleries. Their primary interest is in using less energy on water purification. In other parts of the world, the unique bioscience research system might be installed in a rural village to remove pathogens from the waste stream while generating energy to power a small clinic. The superbugs have been designed to be superefficient, but they also are notable for what they don't do, namely:
Do not emit carbon dioxide emissions
Not susceptible to heavy metal poisoning
Do not cause illness
Non-pathogenic
Avirulent
In a second bioscience research project being conducted by Pilus, superbugs are being designed that would eat cancerous tumors. With Dr. Hassett's work on cystic fibrosis, we begin to see the vaste potential of genetic bioengineering in both treating disease and living in a greener world. The BactoBot system is, in fact, an example the optimized bioremediation that Daniel Schneider of UIUC described in his book Hybrid Nature, which we reported on in an earlier blog on water treatment advances.

Via: http://info.biotech-calendar.com/bid/86395/Cincinnati-Bioscience-Research-Creates-Superbugs-to-Eat-Waste-Produce-Energy

https://development.ohio.gov/files/otf/FY2011OTFAMP-LOIs11-737-11-774.pdf from feb 15,2011 letter of intent/ proposal OHIO
Daniel Hassett, PhD

http://robohub.org/robots-begin-to-attack-waste-and-dirt/

Robots begin to attack waste and dirt
by Frank Tobe
Business & Finance Views
May 18, 2014
In Finland, there's an army of robots sorting, selecting and processing trash, while in Cincinnati bactobots are targeting and neutralizing bacteria in waste water. Here's a review of what is happening in the commercial world of cleaning and waste.
Waste recycling Helsinki-based ZenRobotics has installed the first robotic waste sorting system in the world. Each robot system picks 12 million items a year from conveyors and sorts them into various bins. Currently picking and sorting construction and demolition waste, future versions will handle all sorts of waste material reclaiming that which can wbe reused and sorting out the rest for proper disposal treatment.

ZenRobotics Recycler uses multiple sensors (visible spectrum cameras, NIR, 3D laser scanners, haptic sensors, etc) to create an accurate real-time analysis of the waste stream being processed. Based on the analysis, the system makes autonomous decisions on what objects to pick, how to grip the item and where to put it.

ZenRobotics uses KUKA robot arms connected to ZenRobotics custom-made grippers, vision and software systems. Waste sorting is rough and tumble and the gripper must manipulate objects without exact knowledge of their location, shape or composition but with knowledge of nearby robot picker activities.

ZenRobotics' clients include SITA, a waste management and trucking service, and Baetsen, a recycling and transport company.

Bacteria bots
Converting wastewater into something of value, eg, chemicals, water and gases, is a $10 billion industry and expected to grow to $27 billion in the next 7 years. Tauriga Sciences, a Canadian company in the nano-robotics space, has put together the intellectual property of Bacterial Robotics, an American firm engineering microscopic robots, and Pilus Energy, a Cinncinati-based company making the bactobots, and working with the City of Cinncinati wastewater treatment group to test their efficacy.

An army of bacterial robots started their first reconnaissance mission to purify Cincinnati, Ohio’s water supply and generate renewable energy in the process. These genetically enhanced microorganisms—dubbed bactobots—are part of a $1.7 million pilot project at Cincinnati’s Environmental Protection Agency. The project goal is to determine how the technology can be commercialized for use by a range of industry sectors, including municipal wastewater plants, food and beverage companies, and more.

Stella Sung, CEO of Tauriga Sciences, the company behind the bactobot technology, said, “There’s a huge need for better ways” to clean water for disposal or return to a city’s potable water system. “And there’s a lot of international need, so we’re working to get [bactobots] to China, Hong Kong, India, and the European Union.”

During the pilot program, the bactobots, so named because they labor like machines encoded to perform precise tasks, will be placed in an electrogenic bioreactor, or fuel cell. Wastewater is run through the fuel cell and treated inside it. Clean water emerges from one end of the reactor; energy emerges from the other in the form of hydrogen gas. At laboratory scale, when a mini-reactor held 10 gallons of water, the bactobots generated enough energy to charge a cell phone for five hours. An industrial-size reactor would hold millions of gallons of water, Sung said.
[Excerpted from Zumba for Bactobots on the Robot Rabbi blog.]

Although Pilus’ bactobots aren’t really robots, they are close. They sense, interpret and act in at least 2 dimensions. They aren’t reprogrammable because they’re disposable. So they don’t fit the formal definition of a service robot. They appear to be in the undefined transitory space between smart machines (in this case, biologically programmed machines) and thinking robots… a space housing a growing population of similar devices these days.

Industrial cleaners
Robotic consumer products for window, floor and carpet cleaning have made minimal inroads into the commercial/industrial marketplace. Demand for equipment is advancing at 1.7% CAGR. Big providers of washers, scrubbers, vacuums and steamers (such as Nilfisk, Electrolux, Katy and Tennant) don't offer any robotic products. Contract cleaners and house janitorial staffs still prefer walk-behind and ride-on devices. There are just a very few providers of robotic solutions thus far in this marketplace:
Cyberdyne (Japanese) just launched a new $90,000 industrial office/factory/warehouse floor cleaner which can take an elevator by itself. Fuji Robotics and Sumitomo experimented for years with office cleaning robots for their high rise offices in Osaka but never brought the product(s) to market.
Robosoft (French) has been providing robotic factory and garage floor cleaners for years and also provides glass cleaning for, amongst others, the glass Pyramide at the Louvre.

Intellibot (American), a '90s buy-out from Nilfisk, has a full line of smart-looking robotic sweepers, vacuums and scrubbers.

Cleanfix (Swiss), a conventional cleaning equipment provider, uses ultrasonic and infrared sensors as virtual bumper guards for their sole robotic floor cleaning (washing, scrubbing and drying) robots.

Alternative Energy Research Project

Posted by Robert Voorhees on Sat, Jun 23, 2012 @ 01:55 PM

WVXU Podcast link by Ann Thompson: Focus on Technology: Bugs Cleaning Wastewater?Cincinnati scientists are engineering special bugs that will clean wastewater and create energy. Ann Thompson takes you into the lab where this is happening in Focus on Technology.?By Ann Thompson
MeasureNet Research Applications??MeasureNet is renowned for putting cutting-edge technology into the hands of students but MeasureNet may someday be famous for helping scientists find new and innovative ways for dealing with the world’s most difficult problems.??The technology provided by MeasureNet combines a high-resolution measurement workstation with their LabKonnect cloud-based software to create a system that allows researchers to monitor their experiments from anywhere. Researchers access information from the cloud, important in experiments lasting for a week or longer. ??LabKonnect will also alert the researcher via text message if something has gone wrong. The researcher specifies a range; the system notifies team members if data goes beyond that range. Scientists no longer spend valuable time and resources babysitting experiments.??This technology was put through its paces recently, when MeasureNet teamed with Dr. Dan Hassett, who creates special bugs that will clean wastewater and create energy. Hassett, molecular genetics professor at the University of Cincinnati, thinks he has found a way to convert sewage into clean water and energy.??Wastewater has stored up energy in the form of pollutants. Hassett is developing bacterial robots, or “bactobots,” that break down these pollutants and release the energy. Sewage treatment plants become biological fuel cells that produce both clean water and energy.??The bactobots are tiny, only about three microns long, but they generate about 400 milivolts with fluctuations as high as 700 milivolts as they clean the water. Hassett increases the amount of power a bactobot can generate through a series of genetic mutations. Measuring the output of these miniscule bacteria is a big job, and that’s where MeasureNet steps in.??MeasureNet helped Dr. Hassett monitor the voltage and current output of biological fuel cells. Typically, the ouput voltage fluctuates and over the course of four days. Thanks to the sensitive measuring equipment and cloud capabilities provided by MeasureNet technology, Hassett found the existence of a second particular bacterium actually increased output over those four days.?While the output from a single bactobot is small, the impact of these biological fuel cells could break one of humanity’s most vexing vicious cycles. Wastewater treatment plants are the single largest consumer of energy, and the second largest user of water is energy production. Introducing a bacteria that would simultaneously clean water and produce energy would be monumental.??MeasureNet is at the forefront of hands-on laboratory technology, both in the classroom and in the research lab. Like technology itself, MeasureNet continuously develops new ways to enhance the lives and learning of students, scientists and everyday people.

Electrogenic bioreactor harnesses BactoBots that clean wastewater, generate electricity, and produce hydrogen Posted: Jan 17, 2013

(Nanowerk News) During the Confluence 2nd Anniversary Event at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, Bacterial Robotics, a synthetic biology company developing microscopic BactoBots™ announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 8,354,267 entitled "Microbial Fuel Cell." Traditional microbial fuel cells seek to generate electricity. However, they fall short in both power density and robustness for industrial use. The invention within the –‘267 patent overcomes these bottlenecks.
The breakthroughs are due to the development of specific BactoBots. BactoBots
can be thought of as organism-based programmable microscopic robots.
With this key patent in place, Bacterial Robotics’ first subsidiary, Pilus Energy,
is preparing to deploy the first waste-water-to-value BactoBots, known as
RemediBots™ and GalvaniBots™.

RemediBots are added to wastewater with the goal of cleaning the wastewater and producing economically important gases or chemicals.

The GalvaniBot powers electrogenic bioreactors (EBR). An EBR can be considered a next generation microbial fuel cell. GalvaniBots operate metabolically. This is a different approach than fermentation, digestion, and other legacy technologies used in microbial fuel cells. The un-optimized power density of a GalvaniBot-powered EBR reached five Watts per meter squared (5W/m2). The technology has very wide operating parameters including significant ranges of temperature and pH. The result is a robust, networkable EBR platform that harnesses the GalvaniBot to clean wastewater, generate usable electricity, and produce hydrogen gas. The invention’s abstract is:

[BactoBots] with an altered electrogenic efficacy, biofilms comprising such [BactoBots], and microbial fuel cells comprising such [BactoBots] are provided. The microbial fuel cells can be operated as monitors, filtration devices, and sensors.

The Company also announces patent filings for the RemediBot and GalvaniBot-powered EBR in a number of high-population global markets. Pilus Energy will provide the locally patented protected wastewater-to-value technologies to local market experts through its global licensing network.

The Company’s consumable genetics rights management (GeRM™) key system protects the BactoBots from release and theft. The GeRM keys must be present in the feedstock in order for the BactoBots to activate and conduct activities. If the GeRM keys are absent, the BactoBots self-destruct. This allows the local market licensees to offer BactoBots, EBR, and GeRM keys to their end-user customers.

Jason E. Barkeloo, Founder and CEO of Bacterial Robotics commented, "This recognized work is a keystone of our wastewater-to-value intellectual property portfolio. With this technology, Pilus Energy can help move the water-energy nexus industry toward a convergent turnkey water cleaning and value extraction solution."

In addition to what is claimed, the ‘267 patent also discloses additional inventions and applications of the technology. A continuation application claiming priority to the ‘267 patent was recently filed. This means the multiple inventions disclosed in the first application can now be pursued in subsequent patent applications. This enables the Company to expand the intellectual property portfolio to reflect advancements while providing increased protection of its platform technology disclosed in the ‘267 patent.

Barkeloo concluded, "This interdisciplinary team undertook a difficult challenge. Instead of finding lots of reasons why this invention could not be done, we concentrated on finding ways it could be done. The support of our intellectual property legal firms, specifically Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP, and the Nevrivy Patent Law Group were particularly helpful. And this historical marker was not achievable without the support of our visionary investors."

Read more: Electrogenic bioreactor harnesses BactoBots that clean wastewater, generate electricity, and produce hydrogen http://www.nanowerk.com/news2/biotech/newsid=28508.php#ixzz3HkfBWGvH

Bacterium May Provide Alternative Power Source in Microbial Fuel Cells

By Keith Herrell
Published December 2010

Daniel Hassett, PhD, has devoted much of his career to investigating pulmonary disease through his research as a professor in UC’s department of molecular genetics, biochemistry and microbiology. So how did he find himself at the forefront of efforts to develop alternative fuel sources?
Blame it on a bacterium called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

"This is an organism that I routinely use in my lab, and it’s a pathogen (disease-causing organism),” he says. "But it’s an opportunistic pathogen, and we can genetically engineer it to make it a non-pathogen—basically, a pussycat.”

This pussycat’s meow has the ability to roar in the field of alternative energy. As Hassett puts it, "This is a proprietary organism generated here in my lab at UC to the point that it’s no longer infectious to humans, animals or plants. But it can metabolize waste much better than just about any organism out there.”

Hassett uses Pseudomonas aeruginosa in microbial fuel cells, which convert chemical energy to electrical energy. The microorganisms essentially "eat” waste products and convert them to electricity, water and/or hydrogen gas that could potentially be processed and returned to the energy grid for carbon credits.

"Everybody else is designing a fuel cell chassis that they can use,” says Hassett. "We’re making the engine—the bacteria that power the cell.”

Hassett is also co-founder and chief science officer of Cincinnati-based Pilus Energy, LLC. Working with companies that deal in large amounts of waste, such as Anheuser-Busch, JTM Food Group and Griffin Industries, Pilus developed a reactor that will likely be used in pilot programs by Pacific Gas & Electric in northern California.

Griffin Industries, based in Cold Spring, Ky., is one of the largest animal byproduct rendering and recycling firms in North America.

"They can produce up to 150,000 gallons of waste a day,” says Hassett, "and our bacteria love that.”

Large-scale energy production may be a long way off, but Hassett is excited by the possibilities at UC and other universities working on microbial fuel cells. A LOT HAS CHANGED SUNCE 2010!! ;-)

"We have collaborators at Ohio State University and Ohio University, and might also work with a group at Case Western Reserve University” he says. "I’m planning to write a grant proposal for an Ohio-based academic consortium of UC and those schools that would be based in my lab at the CARE/Crawley Building.”

http://healthnews.uc.edu/publications/findings/?/12086/12094/

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