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Project title

Engineered Organic Carbon-Based Functional Materials for Energy and Water (EMERGE)

Primary Funding Agency

Science Foundation Ireland

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

University College Cork

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

This proposal, titled �Engineered Organic Carbon-Based Functional Materials for Energy and Water� (EMERGE) aims to develop a novel engineered bio-based function material (pyrochar/ hydrochar) from effluent of anaerobic digester (AD) running on distillery by-products and waste distillery barrels. While engineered pyrochar/ hydrochar would allow safe and economic use of the AD effluents, it would form a novel adsorbent for the removal of novel and emerging contaminants from the biopharmaceutical industries. Engineered pyrochar/ hydrochar can also be used as sustainable energy-dense material for electrodes in batteries aiding electrification of transport. These would alloy EMERGE to simultaneously address the challenges of decarbonising distilleries, wastewater treatment of biopharmaceutical industries and production of cheap and sustainable batteries for electric transport while developing a novel industrial ecology within a circular bioeconomy framework. Accordingly, detailed technological investigations will be performed throughout the project phases to improve material properties and optimise the production process of the engineered pyrochar/hydrochar. However, additional techno-economic sustainability and life cycle evaluations followed by multi-criteria decision analyses on the product and processes, to be conducted in the GROW and PRIZE phases would lay the foundation for roadmaps of the production and use of pyrochar/hydrochar to decarbonise and improve sustainability of industries across Ireland.

Grant Approved

�267,873.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

3. Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

01/06/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/11/2024