Environmental laboratory

One of the rooms at the environmental laboratory with equipment, shelves, and a trolley with metallic cylinders.

A view of the Environmental laboratory with workbenches, shelves filled with supplies, and a laptop open on a table.

More Information

About the environmental laboratory

Our work focusses on the design and optimization of wastewater treatment technologies and bioenergy research. The environmental laboratory is located at the Engineering Centre, Southampton Science Park alongside with the Future Towns Innovation Hub. Research topics include:

bioelectrochemical systems (Microbial Fuel Cells) for electricity production and nutrient recovery
anaerobic digestion
biorefinery technologies
optimisation of micro-algal treatment systems
CO2 biomethanisation
nutrient recovery and removal of trace pollutants

Technical specification

Ion Chromatography

For the separation of Ions, Cations, organic acids, Carbohydrates, etc.

Professional IC Vario (940, METROHM)
IC autosampler Plus (919, METROHM)
Compact IC Plus (882, METROHM)
Compact autosampler (863, METROHM)

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES)

For the quantification of metals at ppm level.

iCAP PRO XP DUO (THERMOFISHER)
Autosampler (ASX-560 TELEDYNE-CETAC TECHNOLOGIES)

Gas Chromatograph

For capillary hydrocarbon analysis with FID detector.

GC system (8890, AGILENT) with hydrogen sensor and helium conservation module
Autosampler (7693A, AGILENT)

Gas Chromatograph

For permanent gases analyses with TCD detector and packed column.

8890 GC system (AGILENT) and FPD detector for Sulfur determination

Elemental Analyser

For determination of C, H2, N2, S2 by combustion analysis, either solid or liquid form with autosampler.

Flash 1112 series EA (THERMO FINIGAN)

Bomb Calorimetry

For determination of the heat of combustion of fuels and compounds in oxygen.

CAL2K-ECO (Cal2K) with filling station

Bioprinter

BioPrinter (FELIX Bioprinter)

Uv Spectrophotometer

UV-1800 (SHIMADZU)

Fluprescence Spectrophotometer

Cary Eclipse (VARIAN)

Total Organic Carbon (for liquids only)

TOC VCPH (SHIMADZU) with autosampler

Other equipment

Micro Balance
Benchtop Freeze Drier
Autoclave
Freezer (-80°C)
Digester
Distillation Units (For determination of TKN and Ammonia)
Centrifuges
Potentiostat Galvanostat
Furnaces (Programable from ambient to 900°C)
Automatic Titrators (Used for potentiometric titration and Karl Fisher capabilities)

Expert team

Our strength lies in our diverse, multidisciplinary team, which includes a Principal Investigator (PI), PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and skilled lab technicians. The environmental lab brings together researchers from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including:

chemical engineering
biotechnology
microbiology
civil engineering
robotics

This collaborative approach allows us to address MFC research from every angle, designing innovative bioelectrochemical systems, optimizing microbial communities, engineering efficient materials and reactors, and integrating automation and smart sensing technologies.