Magazine and paper publications
The Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Hub (EBIC) led by Prof Frederic Coulon has launched a quarterly podcast series. The first episode on How can biofilms and bacteria be used to breakdown plastic? is presented by Prof Ronan McCarthy and Lyuboslava Harkova of Brunel University and was launched for World Environment Day …
Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge 5 has awarded almost £2M to fund the SandSCAPE project which will trial robotic underwater skimming machines as a way to clean slow sand filters (SSF) without draining them of water. This novel approach preserves the unique biology of the system, improving performance and resilience, and …
A new book from the Royal Society of Chemistry contains a chapter on Respirometry of Organic Solid Wastes: Methods and relevance to understanding the composting process and end-product stability, authored by EBNet member Tom Aspray of Solid Sense Ltd. EBNet has done relatively little work to date on composting technologies, …
Each month we are highlighting 2-3 stories from our Green Stories: Microbes to the Rescue anthology, equivalent to about 30 mins listening in the Audiobook version. The anthology is also available as a free eBook on the Resources page. This month’s selections are: Chapter 1: Up Shit’s Creek by Brian Adams, …
Congratulations to Dr Francis Hassard, the Water Biofilms WG Lead, and his colleagues on two recent papers describing novel advances in slow sand filtration (SSF). The technology also features in the WG’s animation Innovation in SSF: A sustainable solution for clean water. A subtitled version is available here. For an …
Dr Francis Hassard, the Lead of EBNet’s Water Biofilms Working Group, is keen to hear the sector’s views on how slow sand filters (SSF) can keep pace with tomorrow’s drinking-water challenges. On 22 January 2025, EBNet brought together researchers, utilities and regulators at the Royal Society of Chemistry, London to …
Microbiologically-Influenced Corrosion or MIC is of interest to at least two of EBNet’s Working Groups – the Bioelectrochemical Systems and Anaerobic Fermentation WGs, which supported a forthcoming materials study. The full report is embargoed for now, but an outline is available here. Meanwhile a recently-published review by one of the …
Some interesting new publications this month in the field of Anaerobic Fermentation and biorefineries. Recent developments and future perspectives of marine macroalgae biorefinery in a circular bioeconomy approach. Lawrence, J., Oliva, A., Murphy, J.D. and Lens, P.N., 2025. Research Handbook of Innovation in the Circular Bioeconomy, pp.260-271. Critical factors influencing biohythane …
IEA Bioenergy’s Task 36: Material and Energy valorisation of waste in a Circular Economy has published a report on Social and Environmental Sustainability of Municipal Solid Waste in the Context of the UN SDGs. The work builds on input from participants in a series of regional workshops held in South Africa, …
A 2-day workshop led by Prof John Bridgeman of the University of Liverpool brought together specialists in fluid mechanics with microbiologists and water industry end users to discuss best practice and new opportunities in hydrodynamic modelling of anaerobic digestion of wastewater biosolids. These complex multi-phase non-Newtonian fluids present a range …
The International Fugitive Emissions Abatement Association IFEAA has carried out a review of factors enabling on-farm anaerobic digestion and methane capture. The IFEAA team, including EBNet’s Network Co-Manager Angela Bywater, worked with system developers to understand policy, regulatory, skills and technology aspects, as part of the Cornwall-based Net Zero Methane …
The BBC’s Rare Earth programme has a new episode out on PFAS, the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are now a major emerging pollutant: listen or download on Rare Earth – Forever Chemicals – BBC Sounds. Dr Tao Lyu from Cranfield University, who leads EBNet’s PFAS Working Group, says: “New …
IEA Task 37 Energy from Biogas has published a report on Potential for Manure-based Anaerobic Digestion – Motivations, Barriers and Approaches in Six Countries. The new report builds on a previous Task 37 study Potential and utilization of manure to generate biogas in seven countries, updating this and adding data …
The BBSRC Industrial Biotechnology Evaluation has been published today on the UKRI website. The news item can be found here: Report reveals impact of industrial biotechnology investments – UKRI The full evaluation report can be found here: Evaluating BBSRC investments in industrial biotechnology research – UKRI
At the recent joint EBNet/Carbon Recycling Network Gas Fermentation Workshop in Cheshire this March, we gathered top experts from across the world to discuss priorities for gas fermentation research. The overall goal was to develop our understanding of gas fermentation systems to allow optimisation of operational strategies and conversion efficiencies. Key areas …
