Microbial production of multi-carbon chemicals and fuels from water and carbon dioxide using electric current

A method of generating a carbonaceous chemical wherein carbon dioxide is a source of carbon, comprising the steps of:

• providing a reaction vessel having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode disposed therein, said anode electrode having at least one surface and an anode electrical contact terminal, said cathode electrode having at least one surface and a cathode electrical contact terminal, said cathode electrode having a film of biologically active material comprising at least one bacterium adjacent said at least one surface of said cathode electrode and in electrical communication therewith, said reaction vessel configured to contain a working fluid having mobile ions therein;
• providing a reaction medium in contact with said cathode electrode and said anode electrode, said reaction medium containing a substance configured to be oxidized;
• providing a source of electrical energy electrically connected to said cathode electrical contact terminal and to said anode electrical contact terminal;
• providing a source of carbon dioxide configured to provide carbon dioxide to said film of biologically active material adjacent said at least one surface of said cathode electrode by way of said reaction medium;
• operating said source of electrical power to provide electrons to said cathode and to extract electrons from said anode;
• and
• generating a carbonaceous chemical containing at least two carbon atoms in a vicinity of said cathode having said biofilm in electrical communication therewith, and generating molecular oxygen at said anode.