A novel microbial process breaking through the nitrogen cycling. Nitrogen transformation is central to life on Earth. This project will challenge a century-old paradigm that microorganisms must cooperate in a team to convert nitrogen from organic- to inorganic forms. We will carry out the first-ever systematic investigation of a novel process, where a single organism mediates complete ammonification and ammonia oxidation, directly connecting organic- and inorganic nitrogen. By revealing metaboli ....A novel microbial process breaking through the nitrogen cycling. Nitrogen transformation is central to life on Earth. This project will challenge a century-old paradigm that microorganisms must cooperate in a team to convert nitrogen from organic- to inorganic forms. We will carry out the first-ever systematic investigation of a novel process, where a single organism mediates complete ammonification and ammonia oxidation, directly connecting organic- and inorganic nitrogen. By revealing metabolic pathways, characterising ecophysiological properties, isolating key microorganisms and exploring their application potential, this project will change our fundamental understanding of global nitrogen cycling, improve the sustainability of water management, and contribute to the circular economy transitionRead moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100842
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,057.00
Summary
Roles of emerging pollutants in spreading antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global challenge, yet the impact of environmental agents on the spread of antimicrobial resistance is poorly understood. Drawing on my recent findings and a tight integration of a model microbial ecology system, this project aims to investigate the impact of environmental pollutants on the colonisation and spread of antimicrobial resistance in situ ecological communities. This project expect ....Roles of emerging pollutants in spreading antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global challenge, yet the impact of environmental agents on the spread of antimicrobial resistance is poorly understood. Drawing on my recent findings and a tight integration of a model microbial ecology system, this project aims to investigate the impact of environmental pollutants on the colonisation and spread of antimicrobial resistance in situ ecological communities. This project expects to generate new knowledge at the forefront of research into antimicrobial resistance in a complex ecosystem. The outcomes should provide a deep mechanistic understanding of environmental factors associated with antimicrobial resistance, with applications to antimicrobial resistance risk management for One Health.Read moreRead less
Dual-membrane upgrading towards sustainable wastewater management. Water utilities in Australia have set aspirational targets for energy- and carbon-neutral wastewater services by as early as 2030. However, these two aims are often incompatible because of excessive aeration energy consumption and substantial greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater treatment plants. This project aims to develop a novel biotechnology that enables simultaneous bioenergy recovery, cost-efficient nitrogen removal and ....Dual-membrane upgrading towards sustainable wastewater management. Water utilities in Australia have set aspirational targets for energy- and carbon-neutral wastewater services by as early as 2030. However, these two aims are often incompatible because of excessive aeration energy consumption and substantial greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater treatment plants. This project aims to develop a novel biotechnology that enables simultaneous bioenergy recovery, cost-efficient nitrogen removal and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, thus bringing multifaceted benefits to wastewater management. The project will provide strong support to the Australian water industry in their endeavour to achieve economically and environmentally sustainable wastewater services.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100593
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,237.00
Summary
Membrane-based real-time ammonia monitoring system for sewage treatment. This project aims to develop a real-time, calibration-free, low-maintenance ammoniacal nitrogen monitoring system to assist in optimised wastewater treatment control. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of sensing technology using a self-developed membrane-based analytical principle, which overcomes the challenge of directly and accurately determining ammonia in a harsh wastewater environment. Expecte ....Membrane-based real-time ammonia monitoring system for sewage treatment. This project aims to develop a real-time, calibration-free, low-maintenance ammoniacal nitrogen monitoring system to assist in optimised wastewater treatment control. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of sensing technology using a self-developed membrane-based analytical principle, which overcomes the challenge of directly and accurately determining ammonia in a harsh wastewater environment. Expected outcomes include new theories in membrane-based sensing techniques and a market-ready field-based ammonia analytical system. This should provide significant benefits, such as a new technology for optimising wastewater treatment and reducing emissions and a valuable analytical tool to safeguard effluent quality.Read moreRead less
Reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from urban wastewater systems. This project aims to develop a systematic framework for water utilities to monitor and reduce direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater systems. A standardised monitoring protocol will be developed to conduct an unprecedented nationwide sampling campaign. The obtained data, with microbial characterisation and mechanism analysis, will be used to develop novel models for accurate prediction of GHG emissions. Expect ....Reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from urban wastewater systems. This project aims to develop a systematic framework for water utilities to monitor and reduce direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater systems. A standardised monitoring protocol will be developed to conduct an unprecedented nationwide sampling campaign. The obtained data, with microbial characterisation and mechanism analysis, will be used to develop novel models for accurate prediction of GHG emissions. Expected outcomes include protocol to accurately monitor emissions, models to predict emission under various conditions, and mitigation guideline for typical plant configurations. The anticipated benefit is a significant reduction in GHG emissions from urban water industry and support it to meet net-zero-emission goal by 2050.Read moreRead less
Energy Neutral Anthropogenic Nitrogen Management. This project aims to develop an innovative energy-neutral biological ammonium management strategy based on a novel anaerobic ammonia oxidation pathway. Ammonium-rich waste streams from urban and agricultural settings are a major cause of eutrophication and impose severe environmental burdens to human and ecological health. This project is expected to fundamentally change how we manage ammonium pollution, and will have immediate applicability to e ....Energy Neutral Anthropogenic Nitrogen Management. This project aims to develop an innovative energy-neutral biological ammonium management strategy based on a novel anaerobic ammonia oxidation pathway. Ammonium-rich waste streams from urban and agricultural settings are a major cause of eutrophication and impose severe environmental burdens to human and ecological health. This project is expected to fundamentally change how we manage ammonium pollution, and will have immediate applicability to engineered bioreactors systems. This will provide significant benefits in supporting a wide range of industries that struggle with finding affordable and net-zero ways to manage ammonium wastes, providing an important step to reach global net-zero carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100422
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,637.00
Summary
Feasible quantification of greenhouse gas emitted from wastewater treatment. This project aims to develop an accurate and practical approach to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater treatment. Australian water utilities have pledged to net-zero emissions. However, most utilities do not know its actual emissions due to lack of feasible quantification method. This project will apply an interdisciplinary approach via mechanism investigations, mathematical modelling, and field work ....Feasible quantification of greenhouse gas emitted from wastewater treatment. This project aims to develop an accurate and practical approach to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater treatment. Australian water utilities have pledged to net-zero emissions. However, most utilities do not know its actual emissions due to lack of feasible quantification method. This project will apply an interdisciplinary approach via mechanism investigations, mathematical modelling, and field works to develop and validate a new feasible quantification method. This project will also advance knowledge on GHG emissions to guide quantification design. The outcomes will be translated into industry protocols and disseminated into industry. The outcomes provide timely support to water sector on its pathway to net-zero.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100245
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,237.00
Summary
Transforming wastewater services in regional Australia. Wastewater treatment in regional Australia faces challenges of odour control, poor pollutant and pathogen removal, and greenhouse gas emissions. This project aims to innovatively use iron salts to realise highly efficient wastewater treatment in regional areas. With Partner, Western Australia Water Corporation, this project expects to leverage a recent breakthrough discovery on iron chemistry to co-develop and field test a solar system that ....Transforming wastewater services in regional Australia. Wastewater treatment in regional Australia faces challenges of odour control, poor pollutant and pathogen removal, and greenhouse gas emissions. This project aims to innovatively use iron salts to realise highly efficient wastewater treatment in regional areas. With Partner, Western Australia Water Corporation, this project expects to leverage a recent breakthrough discovery on iron chemistry to co-develop and field test a solar system that doses wastewater with iron, to overcome four challenges and a supply chain issue simultaneously. Expected outcomes include industry capacity to adopt and commercialise a novel technology with important global relevance. Outcomes should reduce the inequity of wastewater services in regional Australia.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100385
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,237.00
Summary
"Circular Economy", via renewable energy and resource recovery. In a circular economy context, wastewater utilities are well placed to exploit the commercial potential of microalgae. Sewage treatment plants have an abundance of key nutrients required for algae growth, existing dewatering infrastructure that is suitable for harvesting algae and in some cases, existing anaerobic digestion infrastructure suitable for the conversion of microalgae to renewable energy in the form of biogas. This proje ...."Circular Economy", via renewable energy and resource recovery. In a circular economy context, wastewater utilities are well placed to exploit the commercial potential of microalgae. Sewage treatment plants have an abundance of key nutrients required for algae growth, existing dewatering infrastructure that is suitable for harvesting algae and in some cases, existing anaerobic digestion infrastructure suitable for the conversion of microalgae to renewable energy in the form of biogas. This project aims to upscale wastewater-based algae production that will enable increased renewable energy production via anaerobic digestion, for onsite thermal, electrical energy and upgraded liquefied natural gas.Read moreRead less
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$855,472.00
Summary
Transforming urban water management through technology translation . Through university and industry partnership, this project will develop and demonstrate, at pilot scale, a highly innovative technology that manufactures an iron salt, FeCO3, for use in urban water management, and simultaneously removes CO2, H2S and NH3 from biogas thus achieving biogas valorisation. This project will demonstrate the effectiveness of FeCO3 produced, in infrastructure protection, nutrients removal and recycling, ....Transforming urban water management through technology translation . Through university and industry partnership, this project will develop and demonstrate, at pilot scale, a highly innovative technology that manufactures an iron salt, FeCO3, for use in urban water management, and simultaneously removes CO2, H2S and NH3 from biogas thus achieving biogas valorisation. This project will demonstrate the effectiveness of FeCO3 produced, in infrastructure protection, nutrients removal and recycling, and capacity enhancement of wastewater treatment plants. The outcomes of this project will lead to the adoption and commercialisation of the technology, which will substantially enhance the sustainability of urban water management in Australia, and also create jobs in, and bring incomes to Australia. Read moreRead less