Tag: <span>Theme 2</span>

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. …

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 …

BetterWater4All Network – ECR & Professional Conference 2026

Date: 3-4 Sept 2026 Location: University of Surrey Registration is now open for the first annual BetterWater4All Network+ Early Career Researcher & Professional Conference 2026. This event will showcase the latest research and innovation, with a wide range of presentations and posters, opportunities to network across disciplines, and a chance …

Our current knowledge: new paper on anode colonisation in MFC

A recent journal paper by several EBNet members adds to our knowledge of how microbes spread across anode surfaces in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The study investigated spatial and temporal dynamics of community assembly, using a novel multi-electrode MFC with two substrate conditions. Pre-inoculation led to successful current generation within …

AMR, Biochar, H2 production and microalgae videos now available

In the ongoing clean-up of the EBNet website, new presentations have been added to Travel bursary and Placement sections, which are now on the Outcomes page. For some examples from international conferences, see: Kathleen Dunbar, University of Surrey – ISME 19, 18-23 August 2024 Cape Town, South Africa. Increased hydrogen production from …

Fibre Highways – Microbe translocation video

A short video of microbial translocation along different fibres (fungal mycelium and synthetic fabric), produced as part of the EBNet-funded Fibre Highways Proof-of-Concept (POC) project, is now available HERE on our YouTube channel. The project also provided the wonderful Ebb & Flow prototype – see image below; with an accompanying …

Food waste sorting technologies – and updated AF WG report

A new publication from IEA Bioenergy’s Task 36 Material and Energy Valorisation of Waste in a Circular Economy looks at advanced sorting technologies for food wastes. The report provides an overview of technologies currently available on the market, accompanied by a brief case study on food waste in Germany. It …

Harnessing Microbial Biotechnology for Biomining – Elemental Hub Lecture

Date:18 June 2026 12:00 Venue: Natural History Museum, London (or online) The Elemental Hub is hosting a lecture by Prof Elizabeth Watkin on 18 June 2026 at the Natural History Museum, London.  The talk will explore how microbial biotechnology can transform biomining; and will highlight innovative bioleaching approaches, including the …

ESWS WG – Microfluidics Conference 2026, a new paper and updated WG report

Members of EBNet’s Environmental Sensors and Wastewater Surveillance (ESWS) WG have recently published an article on a paper-microfluidic platform for infection monitoring and immunity evaluation of viral RNA and antibodies. The paper presents a system that integrates a streamlined processing protocol with a paper-based LAMP assay for viral RNA detection, …

Membrane fouling control review – and an updated report from the AG WG

A recent review paper on methods of membrane fouling control and cleaning provides an excellent example of the need to consider physical and chemical technologies in conjunction with microbial treatment systems. Environmental biotechnologies not only require engineered systems to enable and maintain the microbially-mediated processes that drive them; these elements …