Our Research Expertise
Our Research Expertise
BEWISe combines expertise in microbiology, electrochemistry, environmental engineering, and other fields.
We have internationally leading research groups in:
- Mathematical Biology
- Scalable Computing
- Synthetic Biology
- Hydrodynamics
These groups contribute to BEWISe research.
For over 70 years, we have combined academic excellence with application in Water Engineering and Engineering Biology. We have made notable advances in molecular microbial ecology.
We have developed novel solutions to the sustainable treatment of domestic, coal and metalliferous wastewaters. BEWISe will progress on the advances that we made on a large project on the simulation of open engineered biological systems.
Equipment available at the facility:
- Activated sludge
- Trickling filter
- Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB)
- Microbial electrochemical fuel cell
- Adaptable Polishing Tanks (e.g wetlands)
- Research Van - the Van is available to hire via the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences (stuart.patterson@ncl.ac.uk)
Download the BEWISe Brochure for more information.
Risk assessments and induction times will be confirmed at application process.
Publications
- Baptista JDC, Lunn M, Davenport RJ, Swan DL, Read LF, Brown MR, Morais C, Curtis TP. Agreement between amoA Gene-Specific Quantitative PCR and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in the Measurement of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in Activated Sludge. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2014, 80(19), 5901-5910.
- Brown MR, Camézuli S, Davenport RJ, Petelenz-Kurdziel E, Øvreås L, Curtis TP. Flow cytometric quantification of viruses in activated sludge. Water Research 2015, 68, 414-422.
- Heidrich ES, Edwards SR, Dolfing J, Cotterill SE, Curtis TP. Performance of a pilot scale microbial electrolysis cell fed on domestic wastewater at ambient temperatures for a 12 month period. Bioresource Technology 2014, 173, 87-95.
- Davenport R, Spurr M, Head I, Cherry B. Engineering biology for the circular economy in water resources. Water Industry Journal June 2018, 50-51
- Manpreet Bagga, Ismael Justo-Reinoso, Charlotte Hamley-Bennett, George Merces, Saimir Luli, Ange Therese Akono, Enrico Masoero, Kevin Paine, Susanne Gebhard, Irina D. Ofiţeru. Assessing the potential application of bacteria-based self-healing cementitious materials for enhancing durability of wastewater treatment infrastructure. Science Direct, October 2023.
Awards
This unique facility is the most visible testament of the collaboration between NWG and Newcastle University.
It is based on a shared vision for innovation and is the culmination of our common aspirations and many years of partnership, which is why BEWISe celebrates achievement of the following awards:
- Engagement and Place award for Engaging for Economic benefit partnered with Northumbrian Water – Winner, May 2021
- Northern Area Institute of Water Innovation Awards Runner-up, 2018
- NWL ViVa Awards 2018 (Shortlisted)
- Educate North Business/Industry Collaboration Award 2017
- Guardian University Business Partnership Award Runner-up, 2017