Online Event
By some estimates known supplies of certain key metals will be exhausted in around 50 years (Jowitt, et al., 2020). Given their essential role in electronics, energy, transport and communication it is important that we develop effective means to reuse and recycle these critical resources. However, in many instances, those precious metals are present in complex environments and waste streams which can make their recovery challenging and costly.
Innovations in metal biorecovery offer promising opportunities to tackle this widespread challenge. They include an array of technologies which harness the power of micro-organisms and plants to recover valuable resources and detoxify environmental contaminants including those in soil, water and industrial effluents. These organisms use natural processes to adsorb, accumulate and extract valuable metals, offering sustainable, low cost alternatives to traditional approaches.
This event will consider several approaches to metal biorecovery with presentations from:
Dr Leigh Cassidy, Lead Scientist - SEM
Dr Virginia Echavarri-Bravo, Faraday Institution Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Dr Kalani Kariyawasam, Biochemist, Johnson Matthey
Prof Jonathan Lloyd, Dept of Earth & Environmental Science, University of Manchester
To encourage dialogue and collaboration, presentations will be followed by themed breakout spaces bringing together a diverse mix of stakeholders including challenge holders and solution providers.
If you’d like more information about this event, or the Bioeconomy Cluster Builder, please contact kim.cameron@ibioic.com, or dana.heldt@ktn-uk.org
The Bioeconomy Cluster Builder (BCB) is a three-year collaboration between the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), Innovate UK KTN and Scottish Enterprise. The project aims to grow the Scottish bioeconomy by raising awareness of the applications and benefits of biotechnology and by supporting the development of new value chains and markets for bio-based products. Using the extensive networks and knowledge of the three partner organisations, we connect the right people and resources to deliver innovation support and signposting to funding opportunities. To find out more about the project and our planned activities, or to get involved, please visit our website: https://www.bioeconomybuilder.com/how-can-i-get-involved
Privacy Notice
The BCB is an ERDF funded project. Information you provide as part of the registration process for this event may be shared between the partner organisations and our funder. You can find full details of the BCB privacy policy HERE.
References
Jowitt, S. M., Mudd, G.M., Thompson, J. F. H. (2020) ‘Future availability of non-renewable metal resources and the influence of environmental, social and governance conflicts on metal production’, Nature – communications – earth and environment [Online] Available at https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-020-0011-0 (Accessed 26th July 2022)