Description
PhD Studentship - Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)-based sensor platforms for
remote monitoring of a wide range of environments
Civil, Maritime & Environmental Engineering
Location: Highfield Campus
Closing Date: Wednesday 31 August 2022
Reference: 1779922DA
Supervisory Team: Yannis Ieropoulos, Yue Zhang
Project description
This PhD is will investigate a novel approach for the monitoring and sensing
of essential nutrients and other analytes in a wide range of environments by
the deployment of 'living sensors'. This will involve the development of
living Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) that are self-sustainable and capable of
long-term deployment in remote and/or hostile areas. MFCs are
bioelectrochemical transducers that convert biochemical energy locked in
organic matter, directly into electricity, which can then be used in different
applications. MFC bioreactors consist of an anodic half-cell or electron-
source, in which live bacteria grow on an anode electrode, and a cathodic
half-cell or electron-sink, which may be open to air. The two half-cells are
separated by a semi-permeable membrane, which also allows the movement of
ions, to maintain equilibrium conditions. MFCs can produce electricity from
low grade organic waste such as sludge, insects, plant-material and detritus,
through the metabolic reactions of growing microbes (biofilms) on
electrodes. Multiple MFCs (stacks) can provide the necessary energy platform
that would enable the long-term continuous deployment of conventional low
power sensing technologies (e.g. temperature, pH, water levels, moisture,
conductivity, CO2) as well as wireless communication. More importantly, MFCs
(when configured in the right way) can also act as sensing devices in their
own right, being capable of detecting (and measuring in real-time) a wide
range of different compounds. The proposed research will focus on strategies
around differential sensing of e.g. (C, N, K, P, S or even tryptophan), by
designing the MFC units/cascades and controlling the circulatory perfusate
composition to one where all essential elements are in excess amounts except
for the target analyte (e.g. tryptophan or bioavailable-N) that is depleted
from the circulatory perfusate. Biofilm electrodes/bio-membranes will be
fabricated and biofilm communities will be trained for specific analytes to be
used in a MFC sensor for detecting such compounds in wastewater. This project
has the potential to develop a new generation of long-life living biosensors,
that are self-sustainable and can operate in remote environments – so-called
“release & forget” missions – sending valuable data to users, which can be
used for environmental monitoring and repair.
If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact
Yannis Ieropoulos, Water & Environmental Engineering Research Group, Email:
i.ieropoulos@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2845.
Entry Requirements
A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its
international equivalent).
Closing date : applications should be received no later than 31 August
2022 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered
depending on the funds remaining in place.
Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £16,062 tax-free
per annum for up to 3.5 years.
How To Apply
Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research),
2022/23, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD
Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form
you should insert the name of the supervisor Yannis Ieropoulos
Applications should include :
Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters
Degree Transcripts to date
Apply online: https: // www. southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-
applications.page
For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk
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