The ToOLTuBES project will develop a real-time water quality biosensor.
Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) are a growing concern. Current water treatment facilities are unable to completely remove or transform micropollutants.
We already have a deep understanding of how iron behaves in the octahedral sheets of clay minerals. This research has added to our knowledge of the behaviour of tetrahedral sheets.
Potassium is a widely used fertiliser in agriculture. Global shortages will affect future food production across the world. To meet an ever increasing demand, we need to manage global potassium production sustainably.
The Force Crag mine water treatment system was the UK’s first fully passive large-scale treatment scheme. It removes pollutant metals from mine drainage.
Passive treatment systems use chemical and biological reactions that occur naturally. But a key limitation is their large size. We could make the systems more compact by reducing the hydraulic resistance time (HRT).
We are exploring the best ways of identifying sources of diffuse pollution in river catchments.
Clay minerals are abundant and low-cost. Their reaction with oxygen has the potential to reduce the energy and chemical requirements of water treatment.
We are investigating biologically mediated abiotic degradation (BMAD) of tetrachloroethene PCE and trichloroethene TCE.
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) reduce levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and bacteria. But occasionally, they also select for multidrug resistance bacteria.
The automotive sector uses lithium ion batteries in electric vehicles. ReLiB investigates sustainable management of these batteries when they reach the end of their useful life.
Antibiotic resistance (AR) levels are rising on global scales. This is especially so in places without clean water and adequate sanitation. But many people in such areas are unaware of the problem.
We are using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to map 3D geometry. The technologies contribute to predictive models in a range of industrial, academic and health applications.
The global increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to health. Based on current trends, AMR will cost up to 100 trillion USD and result in up to 10 million deaths every year by 2050.
Portable gene sequencing equipment is a versatile technology. We are using it to comprehensively assess microbial water quality.
Financing infrastructure has an influence on its building, use and dismantling. We need a sustainable transition of infrastructure systems across the world. iBuild investigates the provision and governance to achieve this.
Sewage epidemiology is now being used around the world to address the Covid-19 pandemic. Our work here is to develop local solutions, but also to assist global efforts, by developing tools for predicting spread at a much earlier stage.
Conventional methods for combating microbial diseases include the use of antibiotics and disinfectants. These methods are highly problematic. Other, more innovative methods need advanced tools for monitoring.
CORONA brings together internationally recognised researchers and stakeholders. We are delivering early research outputs from the UK’s Urban Observatories (UOs).
There is an increasing global demand for aquaculture produce. In response, Thailand has developed intensive farming methods. Vast tracts of land now consist of low biodiversity aquaculture ponds.
Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have the potential to provide a new generation of wastewater treatment systems. They can be retrofitted. They could also provide wastewater treatment and limited energy in rural or poor areas.
Nitrification is the conversion of ammonia to nitrate. It is important in wastewater treatment, as ammonia is very toxic to fish. But most research has so far been undertaken in temperate areas. We are investigating nitrification in warm climates.
The EBI Metagenomics portal is a free service. It provides access to MGnify, an automated pipeline for analysing and archiving microbiome data. MGNnify determines the taxonomic diversity and functional and metabolic potential of environmental samples.
Ageing infrastructure is an increasing economic and environmental problem. Concrete is costly to produce and to repair and maintain. But it can be self-healing, as a result of bacterial metabolic activity.
We explore engineering microbial systems for environmental protection, bioremediation & resource recovery. We investigate the use of microbes in anaerobic digestion and waste water treatment, to bio-degrade plastics, oil or other emerging pollutants.
BIOHEAT is investigating heat transfers in microbial systems. This understanding will allow us to engineer and husband them.
Bioelectrochemical systems include technologies such as microbial fuel and electrolysis cells. They hold promise as energy efficient waste treatment systems, yet the energy efficiency of the current generation is low.
BEWISe is our experimental wastewater treatment facility. It consists of large pilot-scale replicated biological treatment processes. It is used for both academic and industrial research.
