Category: <span>Working Groups</span>

New bioreactor materials for environmental and industrial biotech – what do we need to know?

Congratulations to Dr Maria Ramos Suarez and co-Authors on the publication of a new paper on the implications of producing bio-based commodity chemicals from waste feedstocks for the selection and testing of bioreactor materials. The paper identifies the top 10 commodity chemicals that can be derived from waste-related feedstocks in …

EBIC ECR conference  – open to all (including waste biorefiners)

A reminder from some EBIC and EBNet ECRs   –  don’t miss the chance to register for EBIC’s 2nd Annual ECR Conference! The event is on the theme of Engineering Biology for Environmental Solutions and is open to all. This post highlights one area of interest: synthesis of value-added products from …

Reflections on the World Biogas Summit for EBNet AD WG and others

Followers of EBNet’s AD WG, and others interested in anaerobic digestion, can now read a short report containing reflections on the recent World Biogas Summit 2026 hosted by ADBA and the World Biogas Association (WBA).  The report was kindly prepared by Dr Angela Bywater, EBNet’s former Network co-Manager, who attended …

WasteEng 2026 Keynote for Integrated Bioconversion Workshop outcomes

Congratulations to Dr Meredith Barr, who leads EBNet’s Biochar WG, on her Keynote Lecture at WasteEng2026 on Scoping the Potential of Integrating Thermal, Thermochemical, and Biological Conversion Technologies. The presentation covered the outcomes of the joint BBNet/EBNet workshop she ran last year on Integration of thermal and bio-conversion technologies. A Summary …

Dr Angela Bywater

A very special set of congratulations from EBNet to Dr Angela Bywater, on her graduation this week with the award of PhD for a thesis on On-farm anaerobic digestion viability: policy perspectives and operational opportunities. Much of the work involved was carried out during her time  –  and in some …

Metagenomics and process performance – is the news getting out?

An interesting item from Suzy Hill, an Engineering Innovation Project Manager at United Utilities, in CIWEM’s News pages.  Talking to Jo Caird, the Editor of CIWEM’s Environment magazine, she briefly outlines how the Making Microbes Matter project is using metagenomics to analyse and track microbial communities with a view to improving …

Biofilm Microenvironments: EBNet workshop report out now

Microenvironments can be defined as localised zones with chemical, biological or physical characteristics that differ significantly from those of the larger-scale surrounding environment. Because microbes respond primarily to these immediate conditions, microenvironments strongly influence the performance of microbially-based systems. Understanding and controlling these influences is essential for engineering improved systems. …

EBNet’s UKRI report available now

A report covering EBNet’s main activities and outputs during our UKRI funding period is now up on the Resources page, under More EBNet reports.  A bit later than originally planned, but brimming with information on our working groups, events and publications. The report is available in two formats, with a …

Bioefficiency webinar available – and a PhycoClub crowdfunding campaign

If you missed the joint PhycoClub / EBNet webinar on 26 June 2026, or want to hear it again, a recorded version is now available HERE. Dr Marin Sawa’s talk on Bioefficiency led to many questions and further discussion continuing well after the session ended. The concept can readily be …

ISM2S Conference postponed – and a new paper on sensors

The organisers of the 3rd International Symposium on Microfluidics for Sensing and Sequencing (ISM2S) have reluctantly decided to postpone this year’s conference. Prof Zhugen Yang, who leads EBNet’s ESWS WG and is on the Conference organising committee, said: “Due to the merger between Cranfield and King’s College London and the …

Cryptosporidial oocysts and a persistent coliform – two new water treatment papers

A warm welcome for two new papers related to the work of EBNet’s Water Biofilms WG and to wider aspects of Theme 2. The first is a review of factors affecting removal of Cryptosporidium and other protozoal oocysts in slow sand filtration (SSF). Removal rates vary widely, and the review …

World Biogas Expo and BiofuelAi prize

Date and venue:  8-9 July 2026, NEC Birmingham The 2026 World Biogas Expo, organised by ADBA and the World Biogas Association, takes place in Birmingham early next month, with free registration. As always, the event will feature experts sharing the latest on global market trends, policy updates and technologial advances. …

Joint PhycoClub / EBNet talk – don’t miss this!

Date: 26 June 2026 10:30 UK, online Don’t miss this month’s PhycoFriday talk, jointly hosted by PhycoClub and EBNet’s BES WG.  Dr Marin Sawa will give a presentation on Bioefficiency, in the context of her work on algal biotechnology: for more details of speaker and topic, see below. Marin’s talk …

3rd Microfluidics Symposium – call for abstracts

Abstracts deadline: 20 July 2026 Date and location: 25-26 August 2026, Cambridge The 3rd International Symposium on Microfluidics for Sensing and Sequencing: Frontier Technology for Sustainability and Planetary Health (ISM2S 2026) is inviting abstract submissions. Following previous ISM2S in Cranfield 2024 and Oxford 2025, this two-day event covers the topic …