Microfluidic Multi-Micropollutant Remediation

ended

The rapidly growing impact of xenobiotic chemicals (Endocrine disrupting compounds) on the environment has prompted the development of new processes for the treatment of wastewaters produced by industries and municipalities. Recently, European Commission voted to re-examine its drinking water and commission decided to include three Endocrine disrupting compounds (Bisphenol A, Nonylphenol, and 17β-Estradiol) in the list of benchmark parameters for drinking-water monitoring, in line with latest recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Recently, the capability of lignin-modifying enzymes for degradation of xenobiotics and recalcitrant pollutants has generated a considerable research interest in this area of industrial/environmental microbiology. Lignin-modifying enzymes can be also used to break down and reduce the harmful activity of hazardous substances, due to the similarity of their chemical structure with that of lignin. The goal of this innovative project is to relate the expertise of the ER in ligninolytic enzymes with the expertise of a start-up in microfluidics and microfluidic systems. By combining these two technologies, we aim at creating a superior, more efficient system able to rapidly perform the treatment of wastewaters. The resulting system should be small, energy-efficient (involving low pressures, typically below 200 Pa), and made of a high number of microfluidic layers to allow for a high wastewater volume treatment (typically up to 50 m3/day). The high-volume high-efficiency target will be made possible using a microfluidic technology developed and patented by the host company. The resulting technology is foreseen to address the current challenge of increasing water pollution and bring affordable, sustainable solutions for all communities, large and urban or small and rural alike.