Fully Funded M2A MSc by Research Scholarship: An electrochemical biosensor for sensitive in-situ detection of methyl-isoborneol (MIB) in water

Start date: October 2022

Project:

With the increasing deterioration of the quality of raw water supplies, because of climate change, global warming, and eutrophication, new effective technologies to improve the processes used for potable water production have significant importance to the region. Welsh Water spends approximately £350,000 per year to deal with the issues of taste and odour in water.

Methyl-isoborneol (MIB) is a naturally occurring compound released in water when algae die off. Its occurrence in drinking water results in customer complaints and unsatisfaction due to the unpleasant taste that MIB imparts to the water.  The raw water concentrations can reach up to 800 ng/L whilst the odour threshold concentrations are extremely low ranging from 4 to 15 ng/L depending on the person. The current methods for MIB detection rely on complicated protocols involving several steps including sampling, sample preparation (e.g., extraction), and off-site investigation using very expensive laboratory equipment making MIB analysis time-consuming, labour intensive, and expensive. Therefore, an alternative highly selective and sensitive method for in-situ detection of MIB at the ng/L levels is highly desirable. 

This project will develop a single ultrafast biosensor for in-situ detection of MIB by incorporating pattern recognition algorithms. Low-cost carbon sensor electrodes with properties of enhanced electron transfer and surface area will be fabricated using flexographic printing. More importantly, specific innovations are embodied in the novel implementation of non-conventional metal porphyrins as recognition elements. They will generate characteristic electrochemical signals upon interaction with MIB in water that are distinct from those caused by non-specific adsorption. This will provide an essential step towards label free, direct, and easy-to-use in situ monitoring devices.

The project will be mainly conducted in Swansea University Bay Campus laboratories with occasional visits to Welsh Water for results validation using GC/MS or LC/MS. Training on electrochemical analysis including differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance will be provided. In addition, the student will receive training on laboratory analytical methods for water evaluation (HPLC/UV/FLD; LC/MS/MS; GC/MS; TOC; UV/Vis Spectrophotometer). The student will also have exposure to real water treatment processes at Welsh Water.

We recommend that you submit your application as early as you can in advance of the final scholarship deadline of 2 September 2022 as we may close earlier if sufficient number of applications are received.

Eligibility

Candidates must normally hold a minimum undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University), or a combination of degree and equivalent experience to the same level.

We would normally expect candidates to have met the University’s English Language requirements (e.g. IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5+ in each component) by point of application. 

Candidates must have the legal right to live/work in the UK at the start of their studies (student visas do not apply).

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