Project: Encapsulation of micro-nutrients in porous nanostructures for enhanced anaerobic micropollutant biodegradation (WP2)
Host institution: KU Leuven
Supervisor(s): Lise Appels (PhD promoter)
Objectives: To innovate the encapsulation of micro-nutrients within porous nanostructures, facilitating improved anaerobic degradation of micropollutants and bolstering the bioremediation efficiency in aquatic environments.
DC7 will study the encapsulation of essential micro-nutrients within bespoke porous nanostructures, aiming to significantly amplify the anaerobic biodegradation of persistent micropollutants. By coupling nanotechnology with bioremediation, the project will explore the optimization of nutrient delivery to microbial consortia, thereby enhancing the metabolic breakdown of contaminants. The research will involve synthesizing nanostructured matrices tailored for nutrient retention and controlled release, ensuring maximum bioavailability and degradation efficacy. DC7 will conduct a series of experiments to assess the impact of these nanostructures on the biodegradation kinetics of various micropollutants, investigating the potential for scaling up the technology for real-world water treatment scenarios. The project seeks not only to bridge the gap between nanotechnology and environmental engineering but also to set a new standard for resource-efficient, sustainable water purification methods.
Expected results: Enhanced biodegradation of micropollutants via advanced encapsulation of micro-nutrients in nanostructures, offering new bioremediation strategies.
Planned secondments:
- UCI (Sup.: D. Kisailus): M10-13 (4 months): Training in nanomaterial design and synthesis as support material.
- REM (Sup.: A. Arimi): M20-23 (4 months): Insights in cost-assessment of biological water treatment systems.
Enrolment in Doctoral degree: KUL Arenberg Doctoral School of Science, Engineering and Technology (BE)
