The Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering at Pondicherry University, in collaboration with the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB-DST) and the Association for Promoting Sustainability in Campuses and Communities (APSCC), successfully hosted a National Workshop on Bioelectrochemical Technologies for Waste to Energy Conversion and Resource Recovery from July 22-24, 2019.
This innovative workshop brought together experts, researchers, students, and industry professionals to explore cutting-edge bioelectrochemical technologies for sustainable energy production, waste management, and resource recovery.
Why Bioelectrochemical Technologies Matter
Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES) are transformative innovations that integrate biology and electrochemistry to address global sustainability challenges. These systems are capable of:
- Recovering Nutrients: Extracting valuable nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from waste streams.
- Producing Electricity: Generating renewable energy while treating waste.
- Treating Wastewater: Efficiently purifying water and recovering usable resources.
Workshop Highlights
The workshop offered a unique blend of academic lectures, hands-on training, and expert interactions. Key highlights included:
Lectures by Eminent Experts
Renowned speakers from across India shared their expertise:
- Dr. S. Venkata Mohan (CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad): Insights into advanced microbial fuel cells and resource recovery systems.
- Dr. Prasenjit Mondal (IIT Roorkee): Innovative approaches to sustainable energy production.
- Dr. Aravind K. Mungray (SVNIT Surat): Developments in bioelectrochemical systems for clean energy.
- Dr. Praveena Gangadharan (IIT Palakkad): Bioelectrochemical techniques for wastewater treatment.
Hands-On Training
Participants gained practical knowledge in:
- Design and Fabrication of Bioelectrochemical Systems: Building and testing microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and related systems.
- Electrochemical Techniques: Applying tools like cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in real-world scenarios.
Poster and E-Poster Presentations
Participants showcased innovative research on themes like:
- Microbial electrosynthesis.
- Biosensors for pollution monitoring.
- Sustainable energy and product recovery using bioelectrochemical systems.
Selected abstracts were featured in the workshop souvenir, highlighting cutting-edge advancements in the field.
Expert Panel Discussions
Interactive sessions allowed participants to engage directly with experts, fostering collaborations and brainstorming solutions to real-world challenges.
Who Participated?
The workshop welcomed:
- Faculty members and researchers from academic and research institutes.
- Graduate and postgraduate students.
- Industry professionals and consultants.
- Representatives from municipalities and environmental organizations.
Key Outcomes
- Knowledge Exchange: Participants learned about innovative BES technologies and their applications in waste management and resource recovery.
- Skill Development: Practical sessions equipped attendees with hands-on expertise in building and using bioelectrochemical systems.
- Networking: The workshop fostered connections among academia, industry, and government agencies for collaborative projects.
- Encouraging Innovation: Showcasing posters inspired participants to explore new frontiers in bioelectrochemical research.
Looking Ahead
The success of the National Workshop on Bioelectrochemical Technologies underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges. As BES technologies continue to evolve, they hold immense potential to revolutionize waste-to-energy conversion, reduce pollution, and support sustainable resource recovery.
The Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering, along with APSCC and SERB, remains committed to advancing sustainability through education, research, and innovation.