UKCRIC - Urban Water Facilities at Cranfield
Lead Research Organisation:
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Sch of Energy, Environment and Agrifood
Abstract
Water infrastructure is vital to human health, wellbeing and the economy, delivering a clean and secure water supply, reducing the risks of flooding and ensuring sanitary conditions. Water supply and sanitation has done more to enhance and protect human health than all medical advances combined. Over £25B will be invested in the UK's water infrastructure over the next five years, but these systems face significant challenges in the form of climate change, a growing and increasingly demanding population, and an asset base that includes over 800,000 km of sewer and water supply pipes with an estimated average age of 70 years.
The UKCRIC facilities at Cranfield provide capabilities to advance the understanding of long term performance and serviceability of water infrastructure, deliver cheaper and more environmentally benign approaches to water treatment as well as enable full scale testing of new technologies for treatment, distribution and collection networks and flood management. The facilities provide experimental and testing capacity in critical areas of science and engineering such as advanced sensors, point-of-use treatment, drinking water treatment, the control of fats, oils, and greases (FOG), and bio-resource recovery. Of value to researchers working across disciplines (chemistry, biology, digital, materials, control systems engineering etc) the facilities will also be used to develop and test new approaches to water infrastructure design and operation.
The UKCRIC facilities at Cranfield provide capabilities to advance the understanding of long term performance and serviceability of water infrastructure, deliver cheaper and more environmentally benign approaches to water treatment as well as enable full scale testing of new technologies for treatment, distribution and collection networks and flood management. The facilities provide experimental and testing capacity in critical areas of science and engineering such as advanced sensors, point-of-use treatment, drinking water treatment, the control of fats, oils, and greases (FOG), and bio-resource recovery. Of value to researchers working across disciplines (chemistry, biology, digital, materials, control systems engineering etc) the facilities will also be used to develop and test new approaches to water infrastructure design and operation.
Planned Impact
Investment in a suite of complementary water treatment and infrastructure research facilities will provide an internationally leading capacity to deliver;
(i) improved long term structural, operational, and economic performance of water infrastructure
(ii) cheaper and more environmentally sensitive approaches to water treatment, including reuse
(iii) smarter water management systems and their integration into smart cities.
Technological and methodological developments will be driven through industrial scale testing. These advances will result in;
Minimised energy use for water, wastewater and stormwater treatment and conveyance
Integrated solutions to water and resource reuse, maximising the contributions of the water sector to the circular and green economies.
Water services that are informed by societal preferences and better tailored to household, neighbourhood, and community demands.
Improved understanding of process intensification, real time water quality monitoring & control
Better use of integrated data systems & visualization technologies, network security and vulnerability testing.
Innovative low energy treatment technologies, integrated engineered / natural treatment trains and new processes for recovering water from contaminated sources.
The economic & social benefits of these advances will be substantial. The UK has over £250bn invested in water infrastructure and the UK Water Partnership has estimated that £12bn in cost savings, 9,000 jobs and £5bn in exports could be created by 2050 through innovations in just one area supported by UKRIC's water agenda (combining smart grid and conventional technologies). Progress in improving water use efficiency will also generate savings in energy bills estimated at potentially £140 per household per annum. The UK's estimated £500m bill for summer surface water flooding in 2012 is also indicatory of the magnitude of potential contribution from a concerted investment in water infrastructure test facilities.
(i) improved long term structural, operational, and economic performance of water infrastructure
(ii) cheaper and more environmentally sensitive approaches to water treatment, including reuse
(iii) smarter water management systems and their integration into smart cities.
Technological and methodological developments will be driven through industrial scale testing. These advances will result in;
Minimised energy use for water, wastewater and stormwater treatment and conveyance
Integrated solutions to water and resource reuse, maximising the contributions of the water sector to the circular and green economies.
Water services that are informed by societal preferences and better tailored to household, neighbourhood, and community demands.
Improved understanding of process intensification, real time water quality monitoring & control
Better use of integrated data systems & visualization technologies, network security and vulnerability testing.
Innovative low energy treatment technologies, integrated engineered / natural treatment trains and new processes for recovering water from contaminated sources.
The economic & social benefits of these advances will be substantial. The UK has over £250bn invested in water infrastructure and the UK Water Partnership has estimated that £12bn in cost savings, 9,000 jobs and £5bn in exports could be created by 2050 through innovations in just one area supported by UKRIC's water agenda (combining smart grid and conventional technologies). Progress in improving water use efficiency will also generate savings in energy bills estimated at potentially £140 per household per annum. The UK's estimated £500m bill for summer surface water flooding in 2012 is also indicatory of the magnitude of potential contribution from a concerted investment in water infrastructure test facilities.
Organisations
- CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Technology of Compiègne (Collaboration)
- Northeastern University - Boston (Collaboration)
- MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Severn Trent Water (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- University of Barcelona (Collaboration)
- Anglian Water Services (Collaboration)
Publications
Abdel-Aal M
(2019)
Potential influence of sewer heat recovery on in-sewer processes.
in Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
Ali W
(2021)
Occurrence of various viruses and recent evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater systems.
in Journal of hazardous materials
Ali W
(2020)
Insights into the mechanisms of arsenic-selenium interactions and the associated toxicity in plants, animals, and humans: A critical review
in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
Ali W
(2020)
Comprehensive review of the basic chemical behaviours, sources, processes, and endpoints of trace element contamination in paddy soil-rice systems in rice-growing countries
in Journal of Hazardous Materials
Bai Q
(2020)
Subsequent monitoring of ferric ion and ascorbic acid using graphdiyne quantum dots-based optical sensors.
in Mikrochimica acta
Bhalla N
(2020)
Opportunities and Challenges for Biosensors and Nanoscale Analytical Tools for Pandemics: COVID-19.
in ACS nano
Campo-Moreno, P.
(2022)
Research on Removal of Microplastics by Drinking Water Treatment Processes
Cao H
(2022)
Paper Device Combining CRISPR/Cas12a and Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Wastewater.
in Environmental science & technology
Castrignanò E
(2020)
Enantiomeric profiling of quinolones and quinolones resistance gene qnrS in European wastewaters.
in Water research
Castro-Gutierrez V
(2022)
Monitoring occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in school populations: A wastewater-based approach.
in PloS one
Castro-Gutierrez VM
(2022)
Bioaugmentation of pilot-scale slow sand filters can achieve compliant levels for the micropollutant metaldehyde in a real water matrix.
in Water research
Chang C
(2020)
Bioaccumulation of Hg in Rice Leaf Facilitates Selenium Bioaccumulation in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Leaf in the Wanshan Mercury Mine.
in Environmental science & technology
Cheswick R
(2020)
Chlorine disinfection of drinking water assessed by flow cytometry: New insights
in Environmental Technology & Innovation
Collin T
(2023)
Towards a risk ranking for improved management of discharges of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) from food outlets
in H2Open Journal
Exton B
(2023)
Polybacterial shift in benthic river biofilms attributed to organic pollution - a prospect of a new biosentinel?
in Hydrology Research
Freeman D
(2020)
Nitrogen oxidation consortia dynamics influence the performance of full-scale rotating biological contactors.
in Environment international
Hassard F
(2022)
Wastewater surveillance for rapid identification of infectious diseases in prisons.
in The Lancet. Microbe
Hassard F
(2021)
Innovation in wastewater near-source tracking for rapid identification of COVID-19 in schools.
in The Lancet. Microbe
Hassard F
(2020)
Biosolids recycling impact on biofilm extracellular enzyme activity and performance of hybrid rotating biological reactors.
in The Science of the total environment
Hassard F
(2022)
Underwater Remote Skimming of Slow Sand Filters for Sustainable Water Production
in ACS ES&T Water
Hui Q
(2020)
Paper-based devices for rapid diagnostics and testing sewage for early warning of COVID-19 outbreak
in Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Jago C
(2024)
Trapping and bypassing of suspended particulate matter, particulate nutrients and faecal indicator organisms in the river-estuary transition zone of a shallow macrotidal estuary.
in The Science of the total environment
Jeffrey P
(2022)
The status of potable water reuse implementation.
in Water research
Kwiatkowska R
(2021)
Wastewater-based epidemiology and group privacy: the elephant in the sewer?
Li W
(2021)
Paper-Based Devices As a New Tool for Rapid and on-Site Monitoring of "Superbugs".
in Environmental science & technology
Loveridge F
(2022)
Heat recovery and thermal energy storage potential using buried infrastructure in the UK
in Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Smart Infrastructure and Construction
Mao K
(2021)
Paper-based nanosensors to evaluate community-wide illicit drug use for wastewater-based epidemiology.
in Water research
Mao K
(2020)
Paper-based microfluidics for rapid diagnostics and drug delivery.
in Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society
Mao K
(2020)
An integrated biosensor system with mobile health and wastewater-based epidemiology (iBMW) for COVID-19 pandemic.
in Biosensors & bioelectronics
Mao K
(2020)
Can a Paper-Based Device Trace COVID-19 Sources with Wastewater-Based Epidemiology?
in Environmental science & technology
Mao K
(2021)
Biosensors for wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring public health.
in Water research
Mao K
(2020)
Nanomaterial-based aptamer sensors for analysis of illicit drugs and evaluation of drugs consumption for wastewater-based epidemiology.
in Trends in analytical chemistry : TRAC
Mao K
(2021)
Biosensors for wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring public health.
in Water research
Mercer E
(2021)
On the compressional rheology of fresh faeces: Evidence for improving community scale sanitation through localised dewatering.
in Water research
Mercer E
(2021)
Rheological characterisation of synthetic and fresh faeces to inform on solids management strategies for non-sewered sanitation systems.
in Journal of environmental management
Muleja A
(2021)
Titania containing natural clay doped with carbon nanotubes for enhanced natural photocatalytic discoloration of wastewater
in Journal of Nanoparticle Research
Nnachi RC
(2022)
Biosensors for rapid detection of bacterial pathogens in water, food and environment.
in Environment international
Ou Y
(2021)
Droplet microfluidics on analysis of pathogenic microbes for wastewater-based epidemiology.
in Trends in analytical chemistry : TRAC
Pan Y
(2022)
Paper-based devices for rapid diagnosis and wastewater surveillance
in TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry
Pena-Pereira F
(2021)
Miniaturized analytical methods for determination of environmental contaminants of emerging concern - A review.
in Analytica chimica acta
Rocamora I
(2023)
Inhibitory mechanisms on dry anaerobic digestion: Ammonia, hydrogen and propionic acid relationship.
in Waste management (New York, N.Y.)
Rocamora I
(2022)
Managing full-scale dry anaerobic digestion: Semi-continuous and batch operation
in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Rocamora I
(2020)
Dry anaerobic digestion of organic waste: A review of operational parameters and their impact on process performance
in Bioresource Technology
Rocamora I
(2021)
Use of Inoculum, Water and Percolate as Strategy to Avoid Inhibition on Dry-Batch Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste
in Waste and Biomass Valorization
Rolph CA
(2019)
From full-scale biofilters to bioreactors: Engineering biological metaldehyde removal.
in The Science of the total environment
Rolph CA
(2020)
Achieving drinking water compliance levels for metaldehyde with an acclimated sand bioreactor.
in Water research
Singh S
(2022)
Coliphages as viral indicators of sanitary significance for drinking water
in Frontiers in Microbiology
Description | During the Covid pandemic, the Urban Water Facilities at Cranfield have been used to support various initiatives aimed at (i) better understanding the spread of the SARS-COV-2 virus and its variants amongst the population and (ii) developing improved sensors to enable cheaper and more accurate monitoring of the virus in both water and wastewater. This work has included supporting the UK government's intelligence gathering (via projects coordinated by Defra, the Environment Agency and the Joint Biosecurity Centre) about the spread of the virus in schools and prisons. |
Exploitation Route | The partial use which we have been able to make of the Urban Water Facilities during the pandemic has generated outcomes of value to several constituencies. The work on improved / cheaper sensors and virus tracking in wastewater flows is of direct value to water utilities, environmental regulators, and multiple government agencies. |
Sectors | Environment Government Democracy and Justice Other |
URL | https://post.parliament.uk/monitoring-wastewater-for-covid-19/ |
Description | With a of suite nationally leading facilities, the UKCRIC Urban Water investments at Cranfield have seen research and innovation projects supported by a wide range of sponsors including EPSRC, NERC, Royal Academy of Engineering, UK Home Office, Defra, six water companies, and the Environment Agency. Research students and staff from both Cranfield and elsewhere have benefited from access to the facilities with funding applicants highlighting facility use in fellowship etc. proposals. Work in the UKCRIC funded laboratories has included the development of low cost paper-based sensors for monitoring infectious diseases - primarily in water and wastewater. This research played an important role in shaping government thinking on the potential role of wastewater based epidemiology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other UKCRIC facilities were temporarily adapted for use in supporting the national response to COVID-19, conducting several analytical campaigns and informing government policy on school closures / reopening for example. Other advances in sensor design have benefited national and international capabilities in antimicrobial resistance monitoring, rapid analysis of water quality in Low and Middle Income Countries, and preventing biofilms in reservoirs and drinking water treatment processes. The drinking water pilot hall funded through UKCRIC is now part of the National Research Facility for Water & Wastewater Treatment at Cranfield. UKRI and industry funded projects have informed practices on the removal of microplastics and disinfection by-products by drinking water treatment processes, the role of organic matter on water treatability, and the control of fats, oils, and greases in sewers. Work at the interface between the natural and engineered water cycles has resulted in improved prediction of sediment erosion rates. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Environment,Healthcare,Other |
Impact Types | Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | Internships for an international undergraduate student using UKCRIC flume |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Training Severn Trent staff on anaerobic digestion practices |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Training of French researchers 2019 |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Training of Yorkshire Water Water Professionals 2022 |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Batch-dry digestion: optimising the science behind it |
Amount | £74,900 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 1955991 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | Bench-Scale Water Treatment Efficacy Study of Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) Project (DWI 70/2/350) |
Amount | £391,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | DWI 70/2/350 |
Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 05/2024 |
Description | CDT WIRe PhD EPSRC - Securing Drinking Water Supplies: the Role of Organic Matter on Water Treatability |
Amount | £140,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Anglian Water Services |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 01/2026 |
Description | Canada_IPAP - Anglo-Canadian Collaboration on Antimicrobial resistance |
Amount | £151,718 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/X012840/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2023 |
End | 05/2025 |
Description | Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure, Cities and Energy (C-DICE) |
Amount | £3,980,475 (GBP) |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Department | Research England |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2021 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure & Resilience II (WIRe II) |
Amount | £8,174,028 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/Y035178/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2024 |
End | 10/2031 |
Description | EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience |
Amount | £6,641,024 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S023666/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 09/2027 |
Description | EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership Funding 2020/21 - Dual doctoral studentship between Cranfield University and Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC) - Optimised percolate recirculation strategy for batch dry anaerobic digestion |
Amount | £7,221 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2022 |
End | 07/2025 |
Description | Engineering Biology Hub |
Amount | £13,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/Y008332/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2024 |
End | 01/2029 |
Description | Fresh Faeces Ageing and Dewaterability |
Amount | £100,619 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2634734 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2021 |
End | 09/2025 |
Description | Improved prediction of cohesive sediment erosion based on inter-particle forces |
Amount | £240,136 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T001100/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 03/2022 |
Description | Intermediate dark fermentation as a platform technology for chemical recycling and biorefineries |
Amount | £118,936 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2023 |
End | 09/2027 |
Description | JBC Wastewater Pilot |
Amount | £2,200,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | AB/002/888 |
Organisation | Government of the UK |
Department | Department of Health and Social Care |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 11/2021 |
Description | Lab-on-a-Paper for Point-of-Use Microbial Source Tracking |
Amount | £266,568 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/R013349/2 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 07/2021 |
Description | National COVID-19 Wastewater Epidemiology Surveillance Programme |
Amount | £791,191 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/V010441/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2020 |
End | 11/2021 |
Description | PFAS removal by granular activated carbon |
Amount | £27,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Anglian Water Services |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2022 |
End | 01/2023 |
Description | PhD CDT WIRe EPSRC and Anglian Water - Resilience of water treatment plant operation |
Amount | £140,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Anglian Water Services |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 09/2026 |
Description | Phd Studentship: Understanding the benefits of enzymes and micronutrients in anaerobic digestion |
Amount | £99,207 (GBP) |
Organisation | Anglian Water Services |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2021 |
End | 09/2024 |
Description | Supressing scope 1 CH4 emissions on time for 2030 NetZero targets |
Amount | £91,536 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2023 |
End | 09/2027 |
Description | UKCRIC - PLEXUS - Priming Laboratory EXperiments on infrastructure and Urban Systems |
Amount | £1,013,092 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R013535/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 06/2021 |
Description | WT2217 |
Amount | £115,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | WT2217 |
Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 06/2022 |
Title | NORMAN / SCORE |
Description | NORMAN organises the development and maintenance of various web-based databases for the collection & evaluation of data / information on emerging substances in the environment |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | A database with the latest information on SARS-CoV-2 in sewage across Europe and internationally; including a common protocol for sample collection, storage, extraction, analysis and data sharing to support the development of an international comparable data set. |
URL | https://www.norman-network.com/nds/ |
Title | Raman sensors- WR-2021 |
Description | Experimental data for the article |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Provide temporal and spatial data sets for illicit drug use as a literature reference. |
URL | https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_/13173251 |
Description | Anglian Water/Cranfield Partnership -£207k, Irene Carra |
Organisation | Anglian Water Services |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Long-term support to Anglian Water's Innovation portfolio on drinking water supply |
Collaborator Contribution | knowledge exchange on industry drivers, challenges and future needs |
Impact | multi-disciplinary collaboration. Additional supporting projects, MSc and PhD studentships and publications |
Start Year | 2024 |
Description | Collaboration on dry anaerobic digestion work |
Organisation | University of Technology of Compiègne |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | On-going PhD co-supervised by Cranfield and UTC |
Collaborator Contribution | On-going PhD co-supervised by Cranfield and UTC |
Impact | not yet, on-going project |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Collaboration on microbial understanding on anaerobic digesters |
Organisation | University of Barcelona |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Institution where PhD student is based |
Collaborator Contribution | Support on microbial analysis of digester samples |
Impact | Two journal articles: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2022.108154 and https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2023.02.009 |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Control of fat, oil and grease (FOG) accumulation in sewers |
Organisation | Severn Trent Water |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Study on the use of dosing solutions for the control and remediation of fat, oil and grease accumulation in sewer |
Collaborator Contribution | Indications and support for the types of dosing solutions to be tested |
Impact | Scientific paper ongoing |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Global Resilience Research Coalition |
Organisation | Northeastern University - Boston |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Cranfield were founder members of the Global Resilience Research Network (coordinated by Northeastern Uni, USA) and have represented UKCRIC at events and meetings since 2018. Prof. Jeffrey currently serves on the GRRN International Steering Board. |
Collaborator Contribution | GRRN member organisations have provided staff time to contribute to research proposals etc. |
Impact | Other GRRN members have been colllaborators on several research proposals. UKCRIC have been provided with speaking opportunities at GRRN events including their Global Summit. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Integrated hydrological and turbidity modelling of Cranfield Campus |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Cranfield University provided flow and water quality data monitored in different points of Cranfield campus as part of UKCRIC infrastructure and contributed with knowledge about rural-urban hydrological processes needed to create catchment-scale models as basis for the design of future sustainable solutions for water supply and wastewater planning. |
Collaborator Contribution | Imperial College London provided the CityWat model (Dobson & Mijic, 2020: doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abb050) and their knowledge on integrated modelling as basis for creation of the new models. |
Impact | Two MSc thesis projects: - Cranfield University: Integrated modelling of urban-rural spatial pattern effects on the water cycle at Cranfield University campus - Imperial College London: Integrated hydrological and turbidity modelling of a small-scale monitored catchment |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | TERM consortia for wastewater based epidemiology |
Organisation | Middlesex University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Cranfield were founder members of the TERM network for schools surveillance (coordinated by Middlesex Uni, UK) and have represented UKCRIC at events and meetings since 2020. Dr Hassard currently serves on the TERM Steering Board and consults free from charge for Her Majesty Prison and Probation Service on their pandemic response. |
Collaborator Contribution | TERM member organisations have provided staff time to contribute to research proposals and publications |
Impact | Other TERN members have been colllaborators on several research proposals. UKCRIC have been provided with opportunities at TERM events including their Global Summit. Showcase of facilities was undertaken to Jiont Biosecurity Centre, UK Health Security Agency and The Environment Agency. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | Apparatus and Method for Rapid Monitoring of Pathogens in Water |
Description | It provides a rapid and on-site method for the enrichment and detection of pathogens in water and wastewater. |
IP Reference | |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2022 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | It provides a rapid and on-site method for the enrichment and detection of pathogens in water and wastewater. |
Company Name | Ukcric Limited |
Description | UKCRIC is a Research & Technology Organisation partnering with various organisations worldwide to overcome infrastructure challenges, backed up by the Liveable Cities programme that offers case studies, tools and resources for infrastructure implementations. |
Year Established | 2022 |
Impact | UKCRIC Ltd has carried out work for East-West Rail and National Highways on carbon accounting for major infrastructure projects. |
Website | http://liveablecities.org.uk/ |
Description | Engagment with schools thorugh funded program using UKCRIC Urban Water Facilities at Cranfield |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The Cranfield team (CU) led by Dr Francis Hassard (Early Career Researcher, FHEA, CBiol, FF\1920\1\36 Co-I) has championed the Royal Academy of Engineering's (RAEng) aims and work by implementing a series of active learning strategies such as problem-solving engineering practicals, video tutorials, hands-on practical activities, site visits of Cranfield's wastewater treatment plant, and a students' discussion forum (RAEng Obj. Progressive Leadership). These activities were developed and implemented through the Ingenious Awards Scheme, (£54,577.57 - ING1819\13\132 PI Hassard). Specifically, the team made a substantive contribution towards KS3 pupils' education during periods of national school closure during the COVID-19 pandemic (see Letter of support 1). Scenario-based and problem-solving engineering activities were focused on water safety, treatment, sustainability, and climate (RAEng Obj. excellence everywhere). Early career engineers including some from minority ethnic and under-represented groups, delivered these interventions in five schools in Bedfordshire, UK (RAEng Obj. diversity and inclusion). A high proportion of pupils from these schools were from groups under-represented in engineering and from groups exhibiting high Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), Pupil Premium Funding (PPF) and free school meals. Over 250 'Waterbox' practical chemistry testing kits were distributed to KS3 children educated across a variety of contexts; the children of keyworkers allowed to attend school, those isolating at home due to COVID-19, and a proportion of children accessing classes remotely (i.e., from poorer, minority ethnic or single / no parent households). Pupils solved riddles using engineering and chemistry skills and these responses served as inputs to solve the realistic and virtual escape rooms. Students undertook practical water treatment activities to understand the engineering principles governing coagulation, sedimentation, granular filtration, and adsorption processes. Virtual reality was also used to expose the pupils to water provision in low-income settings (RAEng objective networks and partnerships). This project also addressed potential imbalances in educational provision through easy to use practical kits accompanied with an online training video, and further supported by the academic team (via workshops/instruction manuals). The project was unanimously well received by the teachers, school governors, pupils and the engineers engaged with the outreach activities. It successfully engaged the public in the value of engineering, encouraged and inspired the next generation of engineers and provided skills to early career engineers. The activity resulted in a 20% uplift in children who said they would now consider engineering as a career and an 80% uplift in those considering a university education. A web based version of the kit (https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/centres/water-sciences-institute/escape-the-classroom) was created by digitising the practical activities and these materials were embedded in the extra curriculum/ engineering and science club at one school, thereby ensuring project legacy and opening up the scheme to school pupils and members of the public more widely and internationally which further enhances RAEng's work into the future (RAEng Obj. Building a longer-term view). This was further evidenced by Dr Hassard's provision of a 'Fireside- chat' training event (16.09.2021) to inspire the next round (14 & 15) of Ingenious grant holders (~20 attendees RAEng Obj. Building a longer-term view and excellence everywhere). The Cranfield team stimulated a wider understanding of engineering principles and practice by developing scenario-based practicals for over 250 KS3 pupils during the COVID pandemic. The activities were delivered using a range of media, to support RAEng and schools' ambitions to widening reach to under-represented and disadvantaged groups in engineering. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Interview International Scientific Magazine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This article in the trade magazine 'New Scientist ' was intended to inform the water sector about advances in SARS-Cov-2 sensing and tracking and has led to discussions with several Universities about further SARS-COV-2 tracking work at a regional level but with International partners (University of California Davis). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(22)00154-9/fulltext |
Description | Poster at River Restoration Centre Annual Network Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A poster summarizing the EPSRC research and explaining how it is relevant to river restoration and management |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.therrc.co.uk/previous-rrc-conferences |
Description | Project launched to investigate coronavirus prevalence in schools wastewater |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This article in the trade magazine 'Water & Wastewater Treatment' was intended to inform the water sector about advances in SARS-Cov-2 sensing and tracking and has led to discussions with several utilities about further SARS-COV-2 tracking work at a regional level. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://wwtonline.co.uk/news/project-launched-to-investigate-coronavirus-prevalence-in-schools-waste... |
Description | Researchers Seek a Simple, Rapid Test for SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Onsite testing at wastewater treatment plants could aid efforts to monitor for outbreaks of COVID-19 around the world, but such technologies are in the early stages of development. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Sewage could provide early warning of COVID-19 outbreaks |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Article in widely read online newsletter in the US. Exposure resulting from the article helped garner wider interest in the application of paper based sensors amongst a number of communities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sewage-could-provide-early-warning-of-covid-19-outbreaks |
Description | UKCRIC facility featured on C4 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The UKCRIC funded National Research Facility for Water & Wastewater Treatment was featured on the Channel 4 programme 'Joe Lycet vs Sewage' on 20th February 2024 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.channel4.com/programmes/joe-lycett-vs-sewage |
Description | Visit by collaborator at University of Melbourne to Cranfield University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Visit by collaborator at University of Melbourne to Cranfield University to commission new permeability and compressibility rig at Cranfield and discussing future collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Visit to NRFWWT facility by young professionals |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Cranfield hosted a 2-day workshop funded through the C-DICE programme which included a visit and Q&A session at the National Research Facility for Water & Wastewater Treatment. The particpants included early career researchers from five UK universities plus individuals from industry working on energy / water challenges. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | Visits and tours of new facilities |
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 | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Around 20 separate visits to the new UKCRIC facilities at Cranfield have taken place over the past couple of years as the various sites have come on line. These range from individuals from industry and academia to larger groups from e.g. sector associations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
Description | Wastewater Testing Could Identify Outbreaks at Hospitals, Schools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This online article (adapted from a Reuters report) appeared on the 'Learning English' VOA (Voice of America) website, a multimedia source of news and information for millions of English learners worldwide. The story was used to improve learners' vocabulary and grammar. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/wastewater-testing-could-identify-outbreaks-at-hospitals-schoo... |