Three researchers are being presented with an Elite Research (EliteForsk) travel grant of EUR 27,000 each.
Three PhD students at DTU have been honoured by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science as visible proof that they are some of the most talented young researchers in Denmark. The award ceremony takes place tomorrow, Thursday, 1 March.
The grant of EUR 27,000 (DKK 200,000) will allow the students to finance an extended period of study at the foremost research institutions.
The award winners have been recommended by DTU and subsequently assessed by the Danish Council for Independent Research, which has submitted the names of a total of 20 research talents to the Minister for Higher Education and Science.
The purpose of the Elite Research initiative is to raise awareness about the researchers and their results and to draw attention to the researchers as role models with a view to encouraging more young people to pursue a career within research.
The awards will be presented at an event at the Opera House in Copenhagen.
The three recipients from DTU are:
Bente Højlund Hyldegaard
Industrial PhD student, MSc in Engineering, born in 1988.
Field of study: Environmental technology, soil and groundwater pollution.
Project title: Development of a method for removal of groundwater contamination using electric current.
Background: Bente conducts research into a new method for using electrochemical processes to break down chlorinated and carcinogenic solvents into harmless compounds in soil. The aim is to develop a more efficient and sustainable method for cleaning contaminated groundwater. Using existing methods, the cost is several million kroner per system. She is motivated by environmental and health issues as well as the commercial potential. Her industrial PhD is a collaboration with COWI.
Nannan Zhao
PhD student, MSc, born in 1990.
Field of study: Microbial electrochemistry.
Project title: Innovative electrochemical processes for wastewater purification and energy production.
Background: Compared to conventional biological methods for wastewater purification, a new technology based on conductive biofilm granulate can lead to new operational possibilities and reduce costs by more than 30 per cent. The technology has not been investigated before.
Søren Bertelsen Scott
PhD student, MSc, born in 1991.
Field of study: Electrochemistry.
Project title: Increased understanding of the reactions which can form fuels and chemicals using sustainable resources.
Background: Focus is on the electrochemical reaction that converts carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals. But he also examines other reactions, including the balancing electrochemical reaction which transforms water into oxygen. The starting point is that electrochemical processes are becoming ever more important in the sustainable transformation. An improved understanding of these reactions will also be able to increase the cost-effectiveness of electrochemical processes.