NEUTEN · Training doctoral researchers in advanced strategies towards energy-neutral wastewater treatment

NEUTEN pioneers a comprehensive approach to tackle the two most challenging environmental, health and societal issues including water pollution with key priority pollutants (KPPs) and the need for clean and renewable sources of energy. Current chemical treatment technologies developed for the degradation KPPs are mostly energy-intensive and costly. Established biological wastewater treatment systems, e.g., anaerobic digestion, only remove certain KPPs to a limited extent. NEUTEN will innovate in advanced and sustainable catalytic systems for the generation of energy carriers or the conversion of KPPs from wastewater to energy-dense hydrochar (WP1). Manipulation of the microbial consortia and design of highly novel support structures will also enhance renewable energy carrier generation and superior KPP removal efficiencies from anaerobic digestion systems (WP2). Lastly, the integration of both chemical and biological treatment methods will be investigated, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sustained wastewater treatment systems (WP3). Implementation of artificial intelligence tools and market behaviour analysis allows for the development of business models that are not only environmentally sound but also economically viable (WP4). The project aims to train 15 highly skilled doctoral candidates, providing them with a unique interdisciplinary and intersectoral research training program by a broad consortium, encompassing 18 intersectoral partners (6 academic, 12 non-academic) in 10 countries. The highly relevant field, combined with an advanced training program that encompasses transversal skills and training through research will ensure that highly trained professionals will enter the job market, further strengthening the competitiveness of the EU in this domain. NEUTEN's holistic approach promises to set a new standard in water treatment technologies, with long-term impacts on environmental protection, public health, and economic sustainability.