Bruce E. Rittmann, PhD

Bruce Rittmann, PhD, pursues research that is aimed at developing microbiological systems that capture renewable resources and also minimize environmental pollution. His work, which combines engineering with microbiology and chemistry, can be used to reclaim polluted water and generate energy from waste substances. Dr. Rittmann is the Director of the Center for Environmental Biotechnology, which is part of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University. He also is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at ASU.

Dr. Rittmann was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2004, cited for pioneering the development of biofilm fundamentals and contributing to their widespread use in the cleanup of contaminated waters, soils, and ecosystems. His research combines engineering with microbiology, biochemistry, geochemistry, and microbial ecology to address fundamental and applied issues in the biological treatment of waters and wastewater, the bioremediation of contaminated aquifers and soils, and the recovery of energy from waste materials.

Rittmann, formerly with Northwestern University, is also a recognized leader in the development of the Membrane Biofilm Reactor, an approach that uses bacteria to destroy pollutants in water. The Membrane Biofilm Reactor is especially effective for removing perchlorate from drinking water, and it is being launched commercially. The Colorado River, which provides much of Arizona’s water supply, has a high level of perchlorate contamination, and perchlorate has also been found in groundwater in the Phoenix area. Perchlorate at very low concentrations affects the function of the thyroid gland, which disrupts the body’s hormone levels.

Rittmann also explores microbial fuel cells, which make use of organic material in water to generate electricity directly. Traditional fuel cells use hydrogen gas as their fuel. While hydrogen has a clean byproduct (water), it is derived from fossil fuels and is, therefore, not a renewable source of energy. Using microorganisms as the catalyzing agents, and organic matter in food and human waste as the fuel, would allow waste to be converted into renewable energy. The microbial fuel cell biodegrades organic waste and converts water pollutants to electrical energy.

In addition to being a member of the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Rittmann has been a member of the E.P.A. Science Advisory Board, president of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, and vice -chair of the Water Science and Technology Board of the National Research Council. He is the author of more than 370 books and articles, has served as editor-in-chief of the international journal Biodegradation, and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Environmental Science & Technology. Dr. Rittmann’s textbook--Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications--is used by universities around the world to educate students about the ways in which microorganisms can be used to improve environmental quality.