男衣簸

Project Title:         Cellulose production from plastic, agriculture and office wastes for use in hydroponic systems Project Description: This project is designed to produce cellulose from several types of wastes, including plastic wastes, agriculture wastes and office paper wastes. These wastes provide carbon source and act as feedstock for the cellulose-producing bacteria to produce cellulose. This cellulose will be used as growing substrates in hydroponic systems, to replace conventional growing substrates, such as Rockwool and peat. Globally, used Rockwool is commonly disposed of in landfills. However, landfill costs are becoming increasingly expensive and landfill sites are becoming increasingly unavailable. Peat is another common substrate used in horticulture especially in the growing of mushrooms. However, as peatland conservation in Ireland is now prioritised, peat resource will be significantly limited in the future. In addition, cellulose was found to be suitable for seeds germination in a recent Enterprise Ireland funded collaboration between AIT and AquaRoot Ltd. (EI-IV-2019-1085). This approach has the potential to contribute strongly to the alleviation of the waste burden, in particular highly prevalent plastic wastes by conversion into a high market demand cellulose product for horticulture applications. This work will be performed in five inter-connecting work packages (WPs): WP1. Production of cellulose from polymer wastes via microorganism WP2. Production of cellulose from agriculture wastes WP3. Production of cellulose from office wastes WP4. Assessment of plant growing performance using the produced cellulose substrates WP5. Project management, thesis preparation  and dissemination Duration of Project:        48 months Funding Agency:        Presidents Doctoral Scholarship, Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland Type of Degree Offered: PhD                The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.         Minimum Qualifications/Experience Necessary/Any Other Requirements: •        A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, chemistry or other relevant disciplines •        Strong interests in Materials Engineering, in particular polymer, processing and characterisation •        Good English language skills •        Good problem solving and communication skills •        Able to physically locate to Athlone, Ireland Research Supervisors: Dr Yuanyuan Chen, Dr Margaret Brennan Fournet, Dr Declan Devine For further information please contact: yuanyuanchen@ait.ie Applications:   Download Application Form at https://www.ait.ie/research-and- ... earch-opportunities Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5pm Jan 31st 2020 Please submit your completed application: By Post to:  President Doctoral Scholarship Awards, Office of Research, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone Co. Westmeath By Email to: psf@ait.ie