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London, UK -- Gut bugs that can turn raw sewage into energy was among the research projects recognised last week with Royal Society Awards aimed at supporting and encouraging innovation. The annual ceremony, organised by the Royal Society to help researchers commercialise their scientific ideas, saw Professor David Stuckey win the Brian Mercer Award for Innovation.
Professor Stuckey received the grant of £250,000 to develop a revolutionary new sewage treatment process which will use bacteria that primarily comes from the human lower intestine to breakdown effluent.
Professor David Stuckey said, "Current sewerage treatment technology, which uses oxygen to breakdown waste, is power intensive - using 5 per cent of all energy used in the UK - and produces thousands of tonnes of sludge which is difficult to dispose of."
Professor Stuckey believes he has developed an environmentally sound system which actually creates energy and clean water, and reduces sludge by 90 per cent.
The new funding will help Professor Stuckey to build and pilot a new plant, known as a Submerged Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (SAMBR), which will be located alongside the Cambridge Treatment Plant. His technology employs a revolutionary new technique which uses membranes to filter wastewater out for potential reuse, and bacteria that doesn’t require oxygen to breakdown waste.
Professor Stuckey says his bioreactor could be of particular benefit in countries where water is scarce. He also believes it could be used on a miniaturised scale, for example to treat waste in blocks of flats or small urban communities.
“Imagine a day when mini bioreactors, located under apartment buildings, are able to convert raw sewerage from flats into valuable methane gas for use in household heating, and treated water recycled back to flush toilets. Funds from my award will develop the world’s first low waste bioreactor which has the potential to revolutionise the way we deal with effluent,” said Professor Stuckey.
The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. Up to 150 guests attended the event, which was held in the Wellcome Trust Lecture Hall and chaired by Sir Peter William, treasurer of the Royal Society.
Source: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/
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