Optimising energy output and biorefining
Lead Research Organisation:
Aberystwyth University
Department Name: IBERS
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The aim of the project is to characterise Miscanthus and other energy grasses for processability, digestibility, fermentability and potential for recovery of high value co-products. An important aspect of the studies will be the harvesting and stabilisation of biomass. Stabilised biomass will be screened for saccharification potential prior to fermentation to biofuels and platform chemicals. A mapping family will be identified and used to map QTL for biorefining traits. We will investigate the practicality of harvesting Miscanthus biannually, assess the fermentability of green material, and identify co-products with commercial potential while observing the effects on yield and long-term sustainability. Work on the biotransformation of feedstocks will provide a more coherent picture of how grass composition and morphology affect digestion and fermentation. An alternative strategy to the exploitation of natural variation is to transgenically manipulate grasses to facilitate downstream processing. To do this we will exploit post harvest/ senescence promoters and cellular targeting sequences to express genes with industrial biotechnology potential. We will also develop a toolkit involving the synthesis of enzyme substrates linked with chromophores for the rapid screening of cell-wall degrading enzymes in diverse germplasm and manipulated plants. To maximise the commercial value of energy grasses, high value compounds will be identified (e.g. using LC-ESI-MS/MS and 2D NMR) with potential applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, food and non-food industries.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Publications
Adams J
(2017)
The effect of mechanical pre-processing and different drying methodologies on bioethanol production using the brown macroalga Laminaria digitata (Hudson) JV Lamouroux
in Journal of Applied Phycology
Adams J
(2014)
The impact of sample preparation of the macroalgae Laminaria digitata on the production of the biofuels bioethanol and biomethane
in Journal of Applied Phycology
Adams JMM
(2018)
What cell wall components are the best indicators for Miscanthus digestibility and conversion to ethanol following variable pretreatments?
in Biotechnology for biofuels
Baker P
(2016)
Biodegradation of Different Genotypes of Miscanthus by Wood Rot Fungi
in BioResources
Belanche A
(2016)
A Metagenomics Approach to Evaluate the Impact of Dietary Supplementation with Ascophyllum nodosum or Laminaria digitata on Rumen Function in Rusitec Fermenters.
in Frontiers in microbiology
Bhatia R
(2017)
Genetic engineering of grass cell wall polysaccharides for biorefining.
in Plant biotechnology journal
Bhatia R
(2014)
Transcriptional regulators of Arabidopsis secondary cell wall formation: tools to re-program and improve cell wall traits
in Frontiers in Plant Science
Bhatia R
(2019)
Modified expression of ZmMYB167 in Brachypodium distachyon and Zea mays leads to increased cell wall lignin and phenolic content.
in Scientific reports
Bhatia R
(2020)
Pilot-scale production of xylo-oligosaccharides and fermentable sugars from Miscanthus using steam explosion pretreatment.
in Bioresource technology
Bhatia R
(2019)
Modified expression of ZmMYB167 in Brachypodium distachyon and Zea mays leads to increased cell wall lignin and phenolic content.
in Scientific reports
| Description | 1) Several Miscanthus genotypes have been identified that release high concentrations of sugar following saccharification and could be used to improve the efficiency of biorefining. 2) Earlier green harvested biomass releases more sugar and produces more ethanol than conventionally harvested material and the impact on future yields and sustainability have been tested. Overall annual yield and subsequent seasons growth can be highly impacted but there is genetic variation for the response to green harvesting. A patent has been submitted on grass biorefining to produce a readily available supply of fermentable sugars. 3) To add value to Miscanthus biomass, a number of potentially high value natural product chemicals have been identified with predicted anti-oxidant, antimicrobial or proteinase inhibitor activities. 4) Differences in linkage disequilibrium between groups of plants selected for the same trait demonstrates the complex nature of the water-soluble carbohydrate phenotype in perennial grasses. Despite this complexity chromosome 3 in Lolium perenne has been shown to play a major role in the control of the high sugar phenotype with implications for improving the utilisation of grasses as feedstocks for biorefining. 5) Development and publication of an integrated approach to the utilisation of biomass from conservation management with the generation of solid fuel and biogas. 6) Demonstration of the co-production of ethanol and squalene using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae ERG1 (squalene epoxidase) mutant using a high sugar perennial ryegrass feedstock. |
| Exploitation Route | Industrial biotechnology research is being translated through projects such as the BBSRC NIBBs, the BEACON Biorefining Centre, and the EIT Climate KIC. In these projects researchers are working on collaborative projects with industry. Pilot facilities to use conservation derived waste biomass have been developed at Aberystwyth and with industry and are being tested to deliver greater biodiversity and bioremediation of contaminated water as a result of historical metal mining. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Construction Energy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Industrial biotechnology research is being translated through projects such as the BBSRC NIBBs, the BEACON Biorefining Centre, and the EIT Climate KIC. In these projects researchers are working on collaborative projects with industry. Pilot facilities to use conservation derived waste biomass have been developed at Aberystwyth and with industry and are being tested to deliver greater biodiversity and bioremediation of contaminated water as a result of historical metal mining. The utilisation of conservation biomass has been demonstrated at pilot scale in Scotland with AMW Arboreal Ltd following wetland management for RSPB as part of the DECC wetlands competition with IBERS as the academic partner facilitating technology transfer. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic |
| Description | A Network of Integrated Technologies: Plants to Products |
| Amount | £639,819 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/L013819/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2014 |
| End | 02/2019 |
| Description | Academia for Business (A4B)-STARS |
| Amount | £800,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Government of Wales |
| Department | Welsh European Funding Office |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2013 |
| End | 12/2014 |
| Description | Accelerating Synthetic Biology Approaches to Renewable Chemicals and Fuels |
| Amount | £51,020 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/M027740/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2015 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | BEACON + Biorefining Center |
| Amount | £8,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 06/2015 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | BEACON+ Biorefining Centre |
| Amount | £8,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 06/2015 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | Bioenergy production from wetland biomass |
| Amount | £43,165 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department of Energy and Climate Change |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2013 |
| End | 03/2015 |
| Description | Bioreactor system for Industrial Biotechnology process development |
| Amount | £389,401 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R000700/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2017 |
| End | 08/2020 |
| Description | ERA-Net - Oxypol |
| Amount | £400,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/M025764/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2015 |
| End | 04/2018 |
| Description | EU Climate-KIC Admit Biosuccinovate |
| Amount | £2,300,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Hungary |
| Start | 01/2014 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | HiPlexson Advanced separation technologies to integrate industries |
| Amount | £255,935 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Horizon 2020 BBI; Growing advanced industrial crops on marginal lands for biorefineries (GRACE) |
| Amount | € 15,000,851 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 745012 |
| Organisation | European Union |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 05/2017 |
| End | 05/2022 |
| Description | Interreg NWE; REgional Development and Integration of unused biomass wastes as REsources for Circular products and economic Transformation (RE-DIRECT) |
| Amount | € 227,472 (EUR) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 01/2017 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | MacroBioCrude: Developing an Integrated Supply and Processing Pipeline for the Sustained Production of Ensiled Macroalgae-derived Hydrocarbon Fuels |
| Amount | £162,543 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/K01479X/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2013 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Description | Separation and purification of organic condensate output streams from superheated steam torrefaction of forestry and agricultural residues |
| Amount | £19,902 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB1150A-BIV-T |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Description | TRansnational Industial Biotechnology: UTilization of Extremophiles through academic-industry Partnership (TRIBUTE) |
| Amount | £30,082 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/L027097/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2014 |
| End | 05/2017 |
| Description | Technology Strategy Board - Chitin and lactic acid production crab shell waste |
| Amount | £160,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | TS/L006790/1 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2014 |
| End | 12/2014 |
| Description | [16- FAPESP-BE] An integrated approach to explore a novel paradigm for biofuel production from lignocellulosic feedstocks |
| Amount | £1,491,030 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/P017460/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 04/2021 |
| Description | Assessment of miscanthus pellets by DRAX |
| Organisation | Drax |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Processed miscanthus in our pilot scale facility to produce fibre and xylo-oligosaccharides. The fibre were then pelleted. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The pellets were analysed for their calorific value, ash content, and suitability for use a feedstock for power generation. |
| Impact | Data on combustion potential of the material. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Assessment of pellets by TATA |
| Organisation | TATA Steel |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Processing of miscanthus to remove xylan and produce pellets from the remaining fibre |
| Collaborator Contribution | Assess the material as a potential replacement for coal in steel production |
| Impact | Outputs included the thermal properties of the miscanthus pellets and their suitability for burning in coke production. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | BioPilots UK - The Alliance of Open Access Biorefining Centres |
| Organisation | Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | BioPilotsUK is a collaboration created by four established biorefining open-access centres who recognise the importance of partnerships to develop UK bio-based value chains. BioPilots helps to de-risk the commercialisation of bio-based products and processes by trialling new technologies to ensure partners are investing in the right technologies for their business. BioPilotsUK combines the UK's leading expertise and facilities to help businesses develop and scale-up new sustainable processes to commercialise products from biomass, including: plants, algae, by-products and wastes. Due to the varied nature of the raw materials, or feedstocks, there is no one size fits all approach, rather a series of technologies that must be trialled and combined to maximise the opportunity. Together, the BioPilotsUK centres offers the key components required to accelerate and de-risk bio-based projects, through access to: 1) highly-qualified specialists in genetic analysis, industrial biotechnology, green chemistry and chemical engineering; 2) a broad range of discovery to demonstration scale technologies to convert biomass into useful products; and 3) the accompanying analytical services and market awareness to assess viability of an idea. Aberystwyth is contributing to BioPilots through a range of facilities and expertise including the scaling up from the laboratory to pilot facilities using a range of feedstocks including grasses, and biobased waste streams. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BioPilotsUK offers a joined up, efficient, easy-access route to business support services to complement the four centres' technical capabilities. The services support the growth of supply chains within a high-value bioeconomy and represent a selection of services that partners can deliver. Centres within BioPilotsUK have process modelling teams, that can apply a number of commercially available software tools to fully understand and improve processes. Process modelling enables efficiency and the results can be used to predict hard to measure parameters, as well as cost estimation of process equipment. This knowledge complements scale-down models and identifies critical equipment design issues, saving time, effort and money prior to scaling up process. BioPilotsUK can support commercial and investment decisions by providing technical due diligence and IP landscaping services. It can provide in-depth techno-economic assessments, enabling the implementation of suitable technology development programmes and identification of value-adding technology partnerships. |
| Impact | This is a new venture and impacts of BioPilots as an entity are still under development however the individual partners are involved in many hundreds of collaborative R&D projects with industry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | BioPilots UK - The Alliance of Open Access Biorefining Centres |
| Organisation | IBioIC |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | BioPilotsUK is a collaboration created by four established biorefining open-access centres who recognise the importance of partnerships to develop UK bio-based value chains. BioPilots helps to de-risk the commercialisation of bio-based products and processes by trialling new technologies to ensure partners are investing in the right technologies for their business. BioPilotsUK combines the UK's leading expertise and facilities to help businesses develop and scale-up new sustainable processes to commercialise products from biomass, including: plants, algae, by-products and wastes. Due to the varied nature of the raw materials, or feedstocks, there is no one size fits all approach, rather a series of technologies that must be trialled and combined to maximise the opportunity. Together, the BioPilotsUK centres offers the key components required to accelerate and de-risk bio-based projects, through access to: 1) highly-qualified specialists in genetic analysis, industrial biotechnology, green chemistry and chemical engineering; 2) a broad range of discovery to demonstration scale technologies to convert biomass into useful products; and 3) the accompanying analytical services and market awareness to assess viability of an idea. Aberystwyth is contributing to BioPilots through a range of facilities and expertise including the scaling up from the laboratory to pilot facilities using a range of feedstocks including grasses, and biobased waste streams. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BioPilotsUK offers a joined up, efficient, easy-access route to business support services to complement the four centres' technical capabilities. The services support the growth of supply chains within a high-value bioeconomy and represent a selection of services that partners can deliver. Centres within BioPilotsUK have process modelling teams, that can apply a number of commercially available software tools to fully understand and improve processes. Process modelling enables efficiency and the results can be used to predict hard to measure parameters, as well as cost estimation of process equipment. This knowledge complements scale-down models and identifies critical equipment design issues, saving time, effort and money prior to scaling up process. BioPilotsUK can support commercial and investment decisions by providing technical due diligence and IP landscaping services. It can provide in-depth techno-economic assessments, enabling the implementation of suitable technology development programmes and identification of value-adding technology partnerships. |
| Impact | This is a new venture and impacts of BioPilots as an entity are still under development however the individual partners are involved in many hundreds of collaborative R&D projects with industry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | BioPilots UK - The Alliance of Open Access Biorefining Centres |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | BioPilotsUK is a collaboration created by four established biorefining open-access centres who recognise the importance of partnerships to develop UK bio-based value chains. BioPilots helps to de-risk the commercialisation of bio-based products and processes by trialling new technologies to ensure partners are investing in the right technologies for their business. BioPilotsUK combines the UK's leading expertise and facilities to help businesses develop and scale-up new sustainable processes to commercialise products from biomass, including: plants, algae, by-products and wastes. Due to the varied nature of the raw materials, or feedstocks, there is no one size fits all approach, rather a series of technologies that must be trialled and combined to maximise the opportunity. Together, the BioPilotsUK centres offers the key components required to accelerate and de-risk bio-based projects, through access to: 1) highly-qualified specialists in genetic analysis, industrial biotechnology, green chemistry and chemical engineering; 2) a broad range of discovery to demonstration scale technologies to convert biomass into useful products; and 3) the accompanying analytical services and market awareness to assess viability of an idea. Aberystwyth is contributing to BioPilots through a range of facilities and expertise including the scaling up from the laboratory to pilot facilities using a range of feedstocks including grasses, and biobased waste streams. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BioPilotsUK offers a joined up, efficient, easy-access route to business support services to complement the four centres' technical capabilities. The services support the growth of supply chains within a high-value bioeconomy and represent a selection of services that partners can deliver. Centres within BioPilotsUK have process modelling teams, that can apply a number of commercially available software tools to fully understand and improve processes. Process modelling enables efficiency and the results can be used to predict hard to measure parameters, as well as cost estimation of process equipment. This knowledge complements scale-down models and identifies critical equipment design issues, saving time, effort and money prior to scaling up process. BioPilotsUK can support commercial and investment decisions by providing technical due diligence and IP landscaping services. It can provide in-depth techno-economic assessments, enabling the implementation of suitable technology development programmes and identification of value-adding technology partnerships. |
| Impact | This is a new venture and impacts of BioPilots as an entity are still under development however the individual partners are involved in many hundreds of collaborative R&D projects with industry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | MOU with Gayatri |
| Organisation | Gayatri Bioorganics Ltd |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Through this project, the research team engaged with Gayatri Bio Organics, and following discussions, this company joined the consortium of the EIT Climate-KIC funded project Admit Biosuccinovate and signed a MOU with regard to Xylitol process technology development. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Gayatri will look to develop the process and to look at market exploitation. |
| Impact | This is a new development and Gayatri are awaiting research outputs from Admit Biosuccinovate project. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Terravesta |
| Organisation | Terravesta Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Breeding and agronomy of Miscanthus hybrids to provide biomass for bioenergy and the bioecononmy |
| Collaborator Contribution | Together we participate in private, nationally funded and EU funded projects and new proposals. Key funding opportunities include Innovate UK, BEIS, DEFRA and EPSRC |
| Impact | Licences to hybrids bred collaboratively |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | ADAS visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussion with representatives from ADAS as well as people from own institute on using grass as a feedstock for biorefining as well as for animal feed. Through these discussions, it is hoped that information will be conveyed to the farming community and industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Aberystwyth University Access All Areas |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Products from plants - display including posters and products made of plant materials, and an activity for children making plastic from cornflour |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015 |
| URL | http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/events/access-all-areas/ |
| Description | Azerbaijan Ambassador visit |
| 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 | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on biorefining research and potential opportunities for international collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | BBC Wales Interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interviewed for BBC Wales regarding the Beacon facility, including the work done with companies and on various publically funded projects. Aired on 'Wales Today' (Welsh National evening news on BBC). Increased profile of research within Wales. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | BBC Wales Science Cafe: The Welsh Science Wishlist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An interview for BBC Radio Wales Science Cafe. The programme was ahead of the Welsh Government Elections in May 2016 and was to articulate The Welsh Science Wishlist for the incoming government. Iain Donnison gave the interview on wishes for the future environmental policy. Science votes The Welsh Government believes that science in Wales is world class. And on this programme we frequently trumpet the pioneering research at our universities. But is enough being done to build a strong and successful scientific community? Many in Wales are concerned that we are failing on science education and in preparing for the digital future. In this special edition of Science Café scientists reveal, for the policy makers, their wish lists. And ahead of next month's elections, the political parties outline their scientific priorities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0776lxj |
| Description | Barroness Eluned Morgan Welsh Assembly Member discussion on bio-economy policy and research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on work on biorefining projects and discussion on our contribution to driving the rural strategy for Wales. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Ben Lake MP visit |
| 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 | Presentation on our biorefining research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Brazil Workshop (Minton) 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Workshop in the area of biorefining and Biofuels. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Chief Scientific Officer for Wales Julie Williams |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of research in biorefining and discussions regarding future direction of science in Wales |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Coleg Cambria visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussion on aspects of biorefining and implications for the future farming community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Discussion with Institute of Food Research (ISPG) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussions with senior management on integration of Institute Strategic funding grants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Engagement with Young Farmers Groups |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Engagement through talks, tours and discussions with Young Farmers groups on what agricultural research is taking place at IBERS, Aberystwyth and how this can impact farming now and in the future. Requests for visits/ tours and for repeat visits from larger groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
| Description | Farming Group - Diversification |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussion with Farmers on new opportunities to diversity into new crops or look for new markets for existing crops in the context of biorefining. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | IBERS Centenary Celebrations |
| 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 | Celebration of IBERS 100 years in plant breeding. Presentations given on biorefining projects and available equipment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Newton visit Brazil (Huws) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Discussion with researchers and industry in Brazil regarding areas of overlap/interest to develop new funding applications in the areas. Presentation of specific projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Newtown rotary Club Visit |
| 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 | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presented current and post research in the area of biorefining. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation at LB net Conference 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on research in the area of lignin valorsiation at the LBnet International Conference. Title: "Novel enzymatic tools for cell-wall deconstruction using metagenomic screening and protein modelling" 5-7 April 2017. Inform both academics and industrialists on developments in lignin deconstruction from lignocellulosic materials. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Regional Stakeholder Partnership for Land-based Goods |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of production of platform chemicals/fuels/fine chemicals and potential health care products as well as integrated biorefining from a range of land-based feedstock. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Royal Welsh Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Annual displays and activities based on agriculature and environmental green issues, including on the planting of energy crops, non-food use of plants, use of grass to make ethanol and plastics. Activities sparked discussion with farmers, and public of all ages Visit to activities at Royal Welsh Show leads to subsequent requests for information and visits to IBERS in Aberystwyth. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
| Description | School Science Week 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of biorefining to school children |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Taiwan Ambassador visit |
| 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 | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on current research activities and opportunity to collaboration and/or student exchanges |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Visit by Jane Hutt to Beacon |
| 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 by Jane Hutt (Wales Finance Minister) to the Beacon facility to view the work being done in the area of Industrial Biotechnology and its contribution to the Welsh Economy. Improved ministerial awareness of the role of the bioeconomy in Wales. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Visit from UTM |
| 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 | Return Visit by UTM team for further discussion on potential collaborative research and studentships etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Visit of Fulbright scholars to Beacon |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Discussions of similarities and differences between US and Wales bioeconomy practices. We are expecting PhD enquiries to result. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Visit to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) |
| 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 | Major discussions with Staff at both of the UTM campuses on areas of collaboration in Industrial biotechnology, bio-circular economy, engagement with Business, possible studentships and available equipment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Welshpool Earth Science group visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussions on future farming and the potential of biorefining, creating new markets for agricultural outputs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Workshop SouthAfrica |
| 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 | Attended as a representative for the BBSRC NiBB Plants to Products and bioerefining activity at Aberystwyth University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |