Biocatalytic membranes for micro/nano plastic degradation within waste water effluents
The universal use of different types of plastic based materials as new products to meet the insatiable global demands of 20th century has had an unprecedented impact on our evolution as a society. Unfortunately, micro- and nano-plastics are now ubiquitous in marine and freshwater environments, as well as terrestrial ecosystems, where they act as a source of highly detrimental toxic chemicals that negatively affect the environment and human health by interacting with terrestrial organisms that mediate ecosystem services and functions, such as soil dwelling invertebrates, terrestrial fungi, and plant pollinators. It is our duty as scientists to provide immediate and appropriate solutions to control the fate and reduce the effects of micro-/nano-plastics on our planet. The BMRex project will develop entirely new concepts for micro-/nano-plastic removal from domestic and industrial waste water effluents by engineering a novel biocatalyst-based membrane reactor technology to degrade plastic waste. The consortium will produce, test & optimize biocatalytic membrane reactors based on porous solid oxide scaffolds functionalized with ionic liquid materials modified for biofouling resistance, plastic affinity and controlled attachment of plastic-degrading enzymes. Interchangeable enzyme species will permit a precise control of stepwise catalysis while maximizing activity and stability of biocatalytic reactions. The BMRex industrial partners will evaluate the economic and technological viability this novel technology to treat domestic and industrial waste waters. The BMRex project, with its unique integration of scientific approaches, competences and resources, has the potential to open up an entirely new technological field. In the long term, this project aims to enable a safer recycling of domestic and industrial waste waters to contribute towards a society that is currently in the very early phases of transitioning toward an environmentally sustainable use of plastic.
Acronym:
BMRex
Author:
Gurauskis , Jonas
Principal researcher:
Jonas Gurauskis
Managing entity:
OTRI - CSIC
Scope:
Internacional
Entidades participantes:
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET
UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID
ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOMATERIALES
The universal use of different types of plastic based materials as new products to meet the insatiable global demands of 20th century has had an unprecedented impact on our evolution as a society. Unfortunately, micro- and nano-plastics are now ubiquitous in marine and freshwater environments, as well as terrestrial ecosystems, where they act as a source of highly detrimental toxic chemicals that negatively affect the environment and human health by interacting with terrestrial organisms that mediate ecosystem services and functions, such as soil dwelling invertebrates, terrestrial fungi, and plant pollinators. It is our duty as scientists to provide immediate and appropriate solutions to control the fate and reduce the effects of micro-/nano-plastics on our planet. The BMRex project will develop entirely new concepts for micro-/nano-plastic removal from domestic and industrial waste water effluents by engineering a novel biocatalyst-based membrane reactor technology to degrade plastic waste. The consortium will produce, test & optimize biocatalytic membrane reactors based on porous solid oxide scaffolds functionalized with ionic liquid materials modified for biofouling resistance, plastic affinity and controlled attachment of plastic-degrading enzymes. Interchangeable enzyme species will permit a precise control of stepwise catalysis while maximizing activity and stability of biocatalytic reactions. The BMRex industrial partners will evaluate the economic and technological viability this novel technology to treat domestic and industrial waste waters. The BMRex project, with its unique integration of scientific approaches, competences and resources, has the potential to open up an entirely new technological field. In the long term, this project aims to enable a safer recycling of domestic and industrial waste waters to contribute towards a society that is currently in the very early phases of transitioning toward an environmentally sustainable use of plastic.