ToOLTuBES: Toxicity & Organic Load Tracking using BioElectrochemical Systems
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences
Abstract
The ToOLTuBES project (Toxicity & Organic Load Tracking using BioElectrochemical Systems) will advance the development of a water quality biosensor towards technology readiness level TRL 7 (demonstration in an operating environment at pre-commercial scale). BES technology, which incorporates an electrode-supported microbial biofilm that generates electricity from oxidation of organics, and has great potential for low-cost, real-time sensing applications. The magnitude of the electrical current generated correlates with the organic loading and conversely when toxic compounds are present the signal is inhibited. The sensor will be used to monitor organic load and toxicity levels in real-time on wastewater influent samples from a real-world, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Long-term monitoring data will be collected over two years and used to inform design and cohesion of a combined sensor package, which will propel the technology towards commercial realisation.
Organisations
- Newcastle University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- Reece Innovation Ltd (Collaboration)
- Photon Fire (Collaboration)
- Northumbrian Water (Collaboration)
- Chivas Brothers ltd. (Collaboration)
- Chivas Brothers Ltd (Project Partner)
- Northumbrian Water Group plc (Project Partner)
Publications
Izadi P
(2021)
The effect of the polarised cathode, formate and ethanol on chain elongation of acetate in microbial electrosynthesis
in Applied Energy
Spurr MW
(2021)
No re-calibration required? Stability of a bioelectrochemical sensor for biodegradable organic matter over 800 days.
in Biosensors & bioelectronics
Gadkari S
(2020)
Influence of temperature and other system parameters on microbial fuel cell performance: Numerical and experimental investigation
in Chemical Engineering Journal
Spurr M
(2018)
Extending the dynamic range of biochemical oxygen demand sensing with multi-stage microbial fuel cells
in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology
Spurr M
(2020)
A microbial fuel cell sensor for unambiguous measurement of organic loading and definitive identification of toxic influents
in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology
Godain A
(2020)
Detection of 4-Nitrophenol, a Model Toxic Compound, Using Multi-Stage Microbial Fuel Cells
in Frontiers in Environmental Science
Lim S
(2020)
Impact of applied cell voltage on the performance of a microbial electrolysis cell fully catalysed by microorganisms
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Aulenta F
(2021)
An underappreciated DIET for anaerobic petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading microbial communities.
in Microbial biotechnology
Lim SS
(2021)
Zinc removal and recovery from industrial wastewater with a microbial fuel cell: Experimental investigation and theoretical prediction.
in The Science of the total environment
| Description | Our sensor has been deployed at a real wastewater treatment plant and shown to be capable of monitoring changes in concentration of organic material for extended periods (over 1 year). We have developed a calibration model that predicts this with good precision and have identified design features that needed to be improved. We have manufactured an updated prototype with improved hydraulics and data processing capabilities and this is now being deployed in the field. We have characterized the microbial communities that act as transducers in the system revealing the importance of interactions between electrogens that generate the signal in the sensor and organisms that breakdown complex compounds in the wastewater producing metabolites used by the electrogens. These two groups of bacteria have different responses to temperature providing a potential means to fine tune the output of the sensor. The sensor has been shown to record diurnal fluctuations in wastewater organic loading showing that the senor is highly responsive in real time applications. We have markedly improved the calibration of the system. The data harvesting and management system has been industrialised by colleagues at Reece Innovation. We have presented progress on the field deployment of the sensor at the "Sensors in the Water Industry Group" (SWIG) where it has been well-received and we are building on links that we have made through that. TRL6/7 sensors are now deployed on several wastewater treatment plants around the country and generating data in real time. The data are viewable on a cloud-based server and we are in discussion with potential partners to develop the sensor to TRL8/9. |
| Exploitation Route | With demonstration in the field, there is potential to apply this in a range of situations where on line monitoring of organic material in waste streams or other media is required. The sensors could also be used for real-time process control for wastewater treatment plants to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment |
| URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/business-and-partnerships/expert-solutions/licensing/bes-sensors/ |
| Description | Our sensor has been deployed at a wastewater treatment plant and shown to be able to track changes in BOD. We have characterized the microbial communities that act as transducers in the system revealing the importance of interactions between electrogens that generate the signal in the sensor and organisms that breakdown complex compounds in the wastewater producing metabolites used by the electrogens. These two groups of bacteria have different responses to temperature providing a potential means to fine tune the output of the sensor. The sensor has been shown to record diurnal fluctuations in wastewater organic loading showing that the senor is highly responsive in real time applications. The data harvesting and management system has been industrialised by colleagues at Reece Innovation. We have presented progress on the field deployment of the sensor at the "Sensors in the Water Industry Group" (SWIG) where it has been well-received and we are building on links that we have made through that. Have engaged new industry partner through a BBSRC IPA project and exploring IP protection and spin out/investment options TRL6/7 sensors are now deployed on several wastewater treatment plants around the country and generating data in real time. The data are viewable on a cloud-based server and we are in discussion with potential partners to develop the sensor to TRL8/9. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Description | BBSRC Super Follow on Fund - ToOLTuBES: Toxicity & Organic Load Tracking using BioElectrochemical Systems |
| Amount | £486,900 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R005613/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2017 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | NERC Follow on Fund Long-term field trial of BioElectrochemical System Sensor (BES Sensor) for monitoring of Water Quality in real-time |
| Amount | £94,267 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/R009473/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2018 |
| End | 05/2019 |
| Description | Northern Accelerator (ERDF funded project for business development) |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 02/2021 |
| End | 09/2021 |
| Description | PRO-BES / Pioneering Real-time Observations with BioElectrochemical Systems |
| Amount | £262,233 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/T008296/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2020 |
| End | 04/2022 |
| Description | ToOLTuBES: Toxicity & Organic Load Tracking using BioElectrochemical Systems |
| Amount | £486,900 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R005613/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2017 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | UK - Long-term field trial of BioElectrochemical System Sensor (BES Sensor) for monitoring of Water Quality in real-time |
| Amount | £94,267 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/R009473/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2018 |
| End | 04/2019 |
| Title | Microbial Fuel Cell Data: Recalibration & Effect of Resistance & Substrate |
| Description | Data obtained from operation and calibration of batch-mode and multi-stage, flow-mode Microbial Fuel Cells (voltage datalogging, medium replacements, BOD calibrations) fed with GGA, glucose, glutamic acid media and real wastewater. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | New Industry collaboration and funded projects |
| URL | https://data.ncl.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Microbial_Fuel_Cell_Data_Recalibration_Effect_of_Resistance_... |
| Title | Microbial Fuel Cell Data: Recalibration & Effect of Resistance & Substrate |
| Description | Data obtained from operation and calibration of batch-mode and multi-stage, flow-mode Microbial Fuel Cells (voltage datalogging, medium replacements, BOD calibrations) fed with GGA, glucose, glutamic acid media and real wastewater. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | New industry collaboration and funded projects and patent submitted |
| URL | https://data.ncl.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Microbial_Fuel_Cell_Data_Recalibration_Effect_of_Resistance_... |
| Description | Chivas Brothers Ltd |
| Organisation | Chivas Brothers ltd. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Initial meetings to describe the BES technology to the partner. Regular meetings to disseminate results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of distillery waste samples for testing of the biosensor. Intellectual input into discussion of results. |
| Impact | Provision of samples from distillery process. Historical in-house data. Industry knowledge and assistance with wider dissemination. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Collaboration with Photon Fire Ltd, Newcastle |
| Organisation | Photon Fire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Initial meeting to discuss project ideas and requirements, and company expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Initial meeting to discuss project ideas and requirements, and company expertise. |
| Impact | No impact yet |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Collaboration with Welsh Water |
| Organisation | Welsh Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Introduction of microbial fuel cell based sensors for water quality monitoring |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to field sites for sensor testing and financial contribution to a new BBSRC IPA which is due to start in spring 2020. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Northumbrian Water Ltd |
| Organisation | Northumbrian Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Initial meeting to describe technology to partner. Regular meetings to disseminate and discuss results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to research-customised wastewater treatment facility in Birtley, Gateshead. Access to piped domestic waste for real-world testing of biosensor. |
| Impact | Access to operational sites for testing and evaluation Provision of influent and effluent samples and associated water quality data Access to technical and operational expertise Advisory support to project team |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Water Industry Collaborator |
| Organisation | Welsh Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Advanced the BOD sensor initially developed in this project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborator on a BBSRC research IPA project providing financial contribution and a test site for field testing of the sensor |
| Impact | None yet, project at initial stages |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Working with Reece Innovation for industrialization of BES technologies |
| Organisation | Reece Innovation Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Research and testing of BES systems |
| Collaborator Contribution | Design of data monitoring and reporting hardware and software |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Title | WATER QUALITY MONITORING METHOD AND DEVICE |
| Description | A water quality monitoring method. The method comprises: receiving BioElectrochemical System, BES, sensor data indicating an output from at least one BES sensor exposed to a water sample; and receiving data indicating at least one environmental parameter, at least one piece of configuration data for the BES sensor or at least one parameter for a system in which the BES sensor is implemented. The received data is processed according to a calibration algorithm to generate a parameter indicative of organic compound concentration for the water sample. A water quality monitoring device to implement the method may comprise a BES sensor and a processor to implement the calibration algorithm, and optionally one or more further sensors. |
| IP Reference | WO2023007183 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2023 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | None yet |
| Description | EU-ISMET 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Newcastle University organized and hosted the International Society for Microbial Electrochemistry and Technology EU-ISMET Meeting in 2018. Project team members were the meeting chairs and with international partners formed the organisation and scientific advisory committee. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://conferences.ncl.ac.uk/eu-ismet2018/ |
| Description | Engagement with potential technology development partner (PhotonFire Ltd) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Meeting to discuss potential applications of BES based sensors, development of signal and data processing systems and possibilities for commercial development of such devices. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Final project meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Microbial Electrochemical Technology for Resource Recovery (MeteoRR) final meeting/conference, 10th May 2018, Hilton Hotel, Newcastle, UK. Including policy focused session on Life Cycle Sustainability and Policy Analyses of Plausible Systems for Resource Recovery from Waste. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Meeting to engage new industry partner, Reece Innovation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NDA signed and meeting to discuss sensor and electronics development. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Meeting with Jason Snape, Astra Zeneca |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Meeting to discuss Astra Zeneca and toxicity sensing in general |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Meeting with Shell's Chief Scientist (Jeremy Shears) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions with Jeremy Shears (Shell Chief Scientist) on: Bioelectrochemical systems for low carbon fuels and the LifesCO2R project Energy from waste Oil and Gas related research Newcastle University industrial collaborations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Monthly maintenance meeting with Northumbrian water |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Newcastle team provide updates on sensor experiments and results carried out on site, Northumbrian Water provide updates on any site activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
| Description | On-line Video |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Video explaining concepts and application of microbial fuel cell-based sensors for industry and general public (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/business-and-partnerships/expert-solutions/licensing/bes-sensors/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39WPEiuA8Bg) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/business-and-partnerships/expert-solutions/licensing/bes-sensors/ |
| Description | Participant in Bio Electrical Engineering (BEE) Workshop, University of Warwick |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Oral Presentation "Resource recovery from wastewater with microbial bioelectrochemical systems" - Ian Head (U. of Newcastle), Session 3 (Microbial electricity and electro-fermentation). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/research/beehive/beeworkshop_program/ |
| Description | Presentation to Sensors in the Water Industry/KTN joint meeting November 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Meeting on a range of water quality sensor technologies to sensor technology providers, industry end-users and KTN personnel |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.swig.org.uk/call-for-papers-swig-sensor-sprint-24-nov-2021/ |
| Description | Site tour to BE:WISE with John Russell (Ofwat) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit to BE:WISe facility by John Russell, Senior Director of Strategy and Planning, Ofwat and demonstration of BES sensor experiment |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Skype call with InnovateUK Sensors KTN team (Liquin Yang) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Project team outlined current status of sensor development and discussed possible business interactions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Trade journal article for the water industry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Davenport R, Spurr M, Head I, Cherry B. Engineering biology for the circular economy in water resources. Water Industry Journal 2018, 7(June), 50-51. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://issuu.com/distinctivepublishing/docs/wij07/50 |
| Description | Visit by BBSRC Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy Head of Strategy, Colin Miles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We organized a meeting on industrial biotech and invited Colin Miles, Head of Strategy for BBSRC Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy, who provided an overview of the BBSRC Research Strategy with a focus on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy. Newcastle University showcased research funded by or relevant to Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy. The event also provided valuable networking time with colleagues across the University. Discussions about BBSRC strategic direction and future opportunities were conducted in a number of break out meetings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Visit to Quorn foods to explore future research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Newcastle team visit to Quorn foods to explore future research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Work featured on BBSRC Impact Showcase 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Not known |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | http://www.discover.ukri.org/bbsrc-impact-showcase-2021/index.html |