Surfactants based on renewable resources like carbohydrates and natural oils, which can be more biodegradable and less toxic than products from petroleum feedstocks, are being targeted. Other research includes the development of surfactant thin films for application in opto-electronic devices and biosensors. Industrial waste treatment Research is aimed at the co-ordinated application of novel waste treatment technologies. Currently the focus is on the removal of trace organics and heavy metals from potable waters and soils and on removal of wide range of often greasy contaminants in industrial process effluents. Materials under investigation include resins and polymeric flocculants designed for incorporation in ion exchange, coagulation, flocculation and flotation processes.
Plants based on the technology are in use for both potable water and sewage treatment.
The approach offers significant benefits in terms of reduced land usage and capital costs. Other projects include the treatment of water supplies for small communities, physicochemical approaches to the removal of nutrients from wastewaters, and the recovery of inorganic coagulants from water treatment plant sludges. This last project could reduce both use of fresh coagulant and sludge volume. Biological processes for water and sewage treatment Research in the biological area has been dominated by nutrient removal from wastewater, reflecting a high national need in this area. A significant study of anaerobic digestion has been undertaken.