Algal control using multi-functional, cold plasma activated microbubbles . Climate change is driving a proliferation of nuisance and harmful algal blooms in our water supply systems, which urgently require cost efficient and effective control strategies. Paradoxically, algal biotechnology is a growth industry with application in food, agriculture and energy; realising this potential requires state-of-the-art technology to optimise production, harvesting and extraction. The aim of this proposal i ....Algal control using multi-functional, cold plasma activated microbubbles . Climate change is driving a proliferation of nuisance and harmful algal blooms in our water supply systems, which urgently require cost efficient and effective control strategies. Paradoxically, algal biotechnology is a growth industry with application in food, agriculture and energy; realising this potential requires state-of-the-art technology to optimise production, harvesting and extraction. The aim of this proposal is to develop cutting edge technology that uses cold plasma activated microbubbles to control algal populations. We propose that by tuning the plasma composition, this technology could both selectively disrupt and destroy algal matter and enhance algal cell growth, benefiting both water and biotechnology industries. Read moreRead less
Biofilm control in wastewater systems using free nitrous acid - a renewable material from wastewater. This project will deliver a technology and the underpinning science to deactivate and remove biofilms in wastewater systems using a renewable material that is produced from wastewater at a low cost. The technology has the potential to revolutionise the management of wastewater systems, bringing massive benefits to the water industry.
Overcoming performance limiting chemistries in membrane distillation. This project aims to study performance limiting chemistries associated with fouling of solution-borne components on membrane surfaces that cause critical vapour pressure loss. Membrane distillation could be used for sustainable resource recovery, but no research has overcome the total loss of membrane water flux when removing water from saturated solutions where the critical resource recovery function occurs. This project will ....Overcoming performance limiting chemistries in membrane distillation. This project aims to study performance limiting chemistries associated with fouling of solution-borne components on membrane surfaces that cause critical vapour pressure loss. Membrane distillation could be used for sustainable resource recovery, but no research has overcome the total loss of membrane water flux when removing water from saturated solutions where the critical resource recovery function occurs. This project will characterise the physical and chemical properties of the flux limiting solid on the membrane surface, and the role of membrane chemistry and functional conditions in overcoming this limit. The outcomes of the work will provide innovative sustainable solutions to recover valuable products from current wastes.Read moreRead less
Mineral transformation and oxidant production in subsurface environments. Sporadic influx of oxygen-rich rainwater / groundwater into subsurface waste sites induces dramatic biogeochemical changes which greatly influence the transport of contaminants present. In this project, fundamental knowledge gaps regarding the impacts of redox oscillations upon contaminant behaviour in these sediments will be addressed through a comprehensive program of field studies at a purpose-constructed experimental f ....Mineral transformation and oxidant production in subsurface environments. Sporadic influx of oxygen-rich rainwater / groundwater into subsurface waste sites induces dramatic biogeochemical changes which greatly influence the transport of contaminants present. In this project, fundamental knowledge gaps regarding the impacts of redox oscillations upon contaminant behaviour in these sediments will be addressed through a comprehensive program of field studies at a purpose-constructed experimental facility in an existing waste site, and complementary laboratory investigations. The intended outcomes are to improve understanding of contaminant mobility at the field-scale in these pervasive sites spread across the globe, and provide critical insight into their remediation using cost-effective techniques.Read moreRead less
Contribution of Comammox Process to Sustainable Wastewater Treatment. This project aims to understand the versatility, activity and physiological features of comammox bacteria, the newly-discovered complete nitrifiers, in Australian wastewater treatment systems, and to model and evaluate their contributions to biological nitrogen removal process. Nitrogen transformations are crucial microbial processes in the wastewater treatment ecosystems, with nitrification largely responsible for ammonium ox ....Contribution of Comammox Process to Sustainable Wastewater Treatment. This project aims to understand the versatility, activity and physiological features of comammox bacteria, the newly-discovered complete nitrifiers, in Australian wastewater treatment systems, and to model and evaluate their contributions to biological nitrogen removal process. Nitrogen transformations are crucial microbial processes in the wastewater treatment ecosystems, with nitrification largely responsible for ammonium oxidation but comammox previously overlooked. The expected outcomes will develop new knowledge on the comammox process and provide novel insight and technological solution to refine strategies to manipulate nitrification processes for achieving improved biological nitrogen removal and sustainable wastewater management.Read moreRead less
Novel disinfection to combat antibiotic resistance . Control of antimicrobial resistance in water is critical. Disinfection in water and wastewater treatment plants is a vital barrier against antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB); however, it is less effective in controlling- and may even facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This project aims to comprehensively investigate the effectiveness of widely-used disinfection processes in controlling ARB/ARGs, determine the underly ....Novel disinfection to combat antibiotic resistance . Control of antimicrobial resistance in water is critical. Disinfection in water and wastewater treatment plants is a vital barrier against antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB); however, it is less effective in controlling- and may even facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This project aims to comprehensively investigate the effectiveness of widely-used disinfection processes in controlling ARB/ARGs, determine the underlying mechanisms, and identify optimal treatment conditions. This project also aims to develop a novel, cost-effective and environmentally friendly disinfection process for efficient ARGs destruction, thus significantly strengthening Australia’s capacity to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.Read moreRead less
Micro-managed biofilm - next generation environmental biotechnologies. Eutrophication in waterways due to the presence of nitrogen creates major environmental challenges in inland Australia. This project will develop novel biological nitrogen removal technology, through management of microbial composition to achieve sustainable high-level nitrogen removal from wastewaters and benefical reuse of the water.
Biomimetic ligands for catalytic iron-mediated degradation of contaminants. This project aims to develop and apply ligands attached to solid supports that bind iron and which, on activation, form high valence state iron species capable of catalytically oxidising contaminants present in waters and wastewaters. Of particular interest in this work are ligands that are simple analogues of biological molecules and which are stable in the presence of the high valent iron species formed following activ ....Biomimetic ligands for catalytic iron-mediated degradation of contaminants. This project aims to develop and apply ligands attached to solid supports that bind iron and which, on activation, form high valence state iron species capable of catalytically oxidising contaminants present in waters and wastewaters. Of particular interest in this work are ligands that are simple analogues of biological molecules and which are stable in the presence of the high valent iron species formed following activation. The end result of this project is a water treatment process suited to the effective removal of trace contaminants such as hormones, pharmaceuticals and pesticides from wastewaters such that the treated waters are suitable for discharge to pristine environments or to reuse for potable purposes.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel adsorbent to extract rubidium from sea water. Disposal of rejected brine from seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants causes major pollution problems and existing solutions are expensive. Recovery of valuable metals such as rubidium (Rb) after further concentration of the brine will lead to environmental and economic benefits. This project aims to develop a novel electrospun nanofibre membrane distillation membrane to economically concentrate the brine and to develop ....Development of a novel adsorbent to extract rubidium from sea water. Disposal of rejected brine from seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants causes major pollution problems and existing solutions are expensive. Recovery of valuable metals such as rubidium (Rb) after further concentration of the brine will lead to environmental and economic benefits. This project aims to develop a novel electrospun nanofibre membrane distillation membrane to economically concentrate the brine and to develop novel adsorbents and desorbents to recover the valuable Rb. It is expected that the concentration and recovery of Rb will lead to a sustainable way of handling the brine, as the concentration cost can be offset by the selling of Rb.Read moreRead less
Revolutionising real-time genomic epidemiology in urban wastewater systems. This project aims to develop a real-time and high-resolution genomic tool to monitor and track pathogens in urban wastewater systems based on the portable third-generation sequencing platform. Pathogens sicken hundreds of millions of people, cost the global economy tens of billions of dollars annually, and are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The current epidemiology approach, and data, are retrospective and ....Revolutionising real-time genomic epidemiology in urban wastewater systems. This project aims to develop a real-time and high-resolution genomic tool to monitor and track pathogens in urban wastewater systems based on the portable third-generation sequencing platform. Pathogens sicken hundreds of millions of people, cost the global economy tens of billions of dollars annually, and are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The current epidemiology approach, and data, are retrospective and thus insufficient for timely intervention. Integrated with wastewater analysis for pharmaceuticals targeting pathogens, the sewer-based epidemiology approach of this project will greatly enhance public health by achieving early detection and informed control of infectious diseases.Read moreRead less