U.S. 1st Biopolus sustainability agreement signed by FAMU researchers

TALLAHASSEE — The very critical modernization of the American infrastructure will take more than money, it requires a scientific pivot that takes a fossil-based economy and turns it into a bio-based one.

The recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Biopolus Institute joins their breakthrough wastewater treatment technology with the environmental sustainability mission of the Florida A & M University School of the Environment under the leadership of Dean Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D.

Ibeanusi’s landmark Energy Water Food Nexus Summit launched in 2015 brought a host of global scientists to Tallahassee, among them István Kenyeres, president of the Biopolus Institute. Located in Budapest, Hungary, Biopolus Institute’s technology is used throughout Europe and Asia and improves water quality, lowers cost, reduces odors and requires less acreage to treat municipal wastewater.

“By integrating with the Energy Water Food Nexus here at Florida A&M University we will make communities far more cost efficient and resilient to disruptions arising from heavy rains and even hurricanes,” Kenyeres said. “Through our process, water is recycled and sewage is converted to spring water. Our technology allows us to reimagine how our expanding cities should be designed to meet growing demands for fresh water and treat waste.  This is how we believe cities should be redesigned and engineered.”

Ibeanusi said the Energy Water Food Nexus is essential to resolving the world’s water problems, making Biopolus a perfect research collaborator. “The action in one sector affects the other.  So, the search for solutions requires that we investigate all these sectors in this new science enterprise.”

FAMU Vice President of Research Timothy E. Moore, Ph.D., said the partnership, the first in the U.S., would play an important role in upgrading the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

“This nation is held captive by mid-19th-century wastewater treatment technology.  Our partnership with Biopolus will allow us to take advantage of their proprietary technology and create a research enterprise allowing us to train the next generation of scientific and policy thought leaders right here at FAMU.”

The School of the Environment’s Scholars in Residence program, another Ibeanusi initiative, allows selected students to conduct research on emerging technologies, environmental sustainability issues and others areas in crisis.

Interim Provost Rodner Wright signed the Memorandum of Understanding and discussed the importance of establishing a metabolic hub.

“The hub will begin to emphasize the importance of sustainable processes using current sciences and extend opportunities for exploration.”

The Florida A&M University Energy Water Food Nexus will be held this year in Orlando beginning September 21.

For more information visit famu.edu/nexus