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BBSRC AD Network Newsletter - November 2014

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Proofs of Concept Chosen

First round PoCs receive funding


Welcome to the November update of the AD Network (a BBSRC NIBB). This month, with the end of our first Proof of Concept call, we focus on funding.

Firstly, we would like to thank all the reviewers who agreed to assess our 2014 Proof of Concept bids. There are a substantial number of unpaid experts at work behind every assessment and without their contribution we would have no way to fully understand, let alone prioritise the research bids. In total, 17 bids were received. This was a completely open call and bids ranged from blue-sky science to intensely practical projects. However, after a very thorough process of assessment, the top 4 were selected at a panel meeting of the Management Board on October 31st. We are currently working through the paperwork behind the scenes but visit our website in December to discover details of the projects offered funding.

Secondly, we would like to thank everyone who took the time to put in a bid. Even if you were not successful this time, we hope that the feedback on your proposals will assist your next bids or at least point you in the right direction for more appropriate funding elsewhere. We intend to improve the guidance and support we offer applicants in the next call – early next year.

Finally, our thanks go to the BBSRC for providing the funding to support AD R&D. We hope that each of the funded projects will lead to genuine innovation in future.

Over the next year, these projects will endeavour to demonstrate a clutch of new concepts and ideas to springboard productive R&D in this area. If you have a concept that is worth funding, it is never too early to start planning to apply in our 2015 call. We are easy to email if you have queries about suitability or funding criteria. Don’t hesitate to get in touch – adnet@soton.ac.uk.

Further Funding Opportunities

Our AD Network Business Interaction Vouchers run on a continuous basis. Are you a business who could use £5000 in order to get help from an academic to solve a business problem? Find out more on our website.

Travel Bursaries are now available. These are available to UK-based members for a range of purposes (£100-£3000). Want to meet up with another member on AD-related business? Attend an AD Network Event? Try our £100 Travel Bursaries - available to all members. 

Do you think that a secondment could help develop a research idea into a proposal? We aim to advance your AD research aspirations, either in the UK or abroad...enquire about our secondment funds.

IBLF Awards, early stage SME's. Nine chances to win a £10K voucher and access key resources: See: http://ibts.meeting-mojo.com/page/awards

IB Catalyst. If you have projects that fall into the 'feasibility' categories of the IB Catalyst, there is still time to apply to the second round, as Early Stage and Late Stage Feasibility entries are still being accepted. Registration date: 3rd December. Closing date: 10th December. See: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/ibcatalyst 

Anaerobic Digestion as an area qualifies for funding (covered by sections mentioning gaseous biofuels, commodity chemical challenges and improved processing), but appears to have been under-represented. If you wish to hold a funding-specific workshop in this area, we can help to cover the costs and offer travel bursaries. We are eager to see Network Members participate and use this as a springboard for the even larger European funds such as Horizon 2020 - contact us!

Otherwise, take a look at the full range of 3rd round information: www.innovateuk.org/funding-competitions.

Industry members should first look to InnovateUK (formerly the TSB). Two opportunities for AD right now are the forthcoming Recovering valuable materials from waste and Energy catalyst competitions. You are not committed to anything by registering for these, but we encourage everyone to take a look a the millions of pounds and support on offer. Remember, this is your tax money at work - if you don't apply, you can't be in the running.

Remember that the AD Network is only one of 13 NIBBS, all with similar funding opportunities. Look in particular at FoodWasteNet, C1 Net, PhycoNet, LBNet and Metals in Biology for more Proof of Concept and BIV opportunities.

There are lots more funding opportunities added to our website regularly, so do stay in touch!
 
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Featured Diary Dates

11-12 February 2015 - IBLF Industrial Biotechnology
Showcase, London. We will be there! More details at
www.ib-showcase.co.uk.

14-15 April 2015 - R&D Conference, Southampton: ADBA in association with AD Network and KTN. Call for papers: anaerobicdigestionnet.com

30 June 2015 - Early Career Researcher event, Warwick University. More details to follow on our website.
 

Other Diary Dates

21 Nov 14 - P2P Generic economic modelling tools development meeting:
http://www.nibbp2p.org/test-event/ 

4 Dec 14 - REA Renewable Energy Policy and Politics Series: The 2030 Climate & Energy Framework, London. Excellent range of expert speakers. More here.

9 Dec 14 - ADBA National Conference, London. Lots of interesting sessions. More information on the ADBA website here.

14 Dec 14 - Understanding Microbial Communities, Isaac Newton Institute, Cambridge. More information on the Turing Gateway website here.

11-12 Feb 15 - Energy Now Expo 2015, Telford. The Renewable Energy event for farmers and landowners. Free to attend, more here.

25-26 Feb 15 - Energy from Waste 2015, London. A must for industry, this promises big name speakers from policy and finance. More here.
 

What's hot in AD Research right now?
 

Evaluation of "Classic" and Emerging Contaminants resulting from the Application of Biosolids to Agricultural Lands: A Review
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 21:2, 492-513, Rachel M. Clarke & Enda Cummins (2015)
(Ireland) The newest area of concern for contaminants are the PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products). These are not terribly toxic or persistent compared to traditional pollutants like DDT but are continually reapplied and not much studied. Neither is there legislation restricting them – yet.
Hazardous organic compounds in biogas plant end products—Soil burden and risk to food safety

Science of The Total Environment Volumes 491–492, 1 September 2014, Pages 192–199, K. Suominena, , , M. Vertab, S. Marttinenc
(Finland) A study of numerous contaminants found that after digestate was applied to soil, burdens were mostly equivalent to levels of atmospheric deposition and of no concern. The exceptions were polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and  perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFCs) – up to 1000X atmospheric level.
Residual biochemical methane potential (BMP) of concentrated digestate from full-scale biogas plants
Fuel Volume 132, 15 September 2014, Pages 44–46, Ole Thygesena, Sven G. Sommera, Seung G. Shinb, Jin M. Trioloa
(Denmark) The recirculation of concentrated digestate in a low solids slurry digester increases biogas yield and process stability.


 

Did you know?


IEA TASK 37 is an international working group on Energy from Biogas and their website is well worth a look. It hosts very accessible content on the current AD situation in countries around the world and various high quality technical reports.

WRAP has chosen Julie Hill its new Chair. The Waste & Resources Action Programme is an organisation helping businesses and individuals reduce waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way.
Copyright © 2014 BBSRC Anaerobic Digestion Network, All rights reserved.


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