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‘Green gold’: transforming wastewater treatment challenges into sustainable opportunities
Our August MSCA ‘Fellow of the Month’ is Tiago Martins. He contributes to preserving our planet’s limited resources by giving wastewater sludge a second life.
MSCA Fellow of the Month
Next in our monthly spotlight series is Tiago Martins, an MSCA doctoral candidate at KU Leuven in Belgium and Nijhuis Saur Industries in the Netherlands. His research focuses on developing safe and efficient methods to recover metals from sludge using an electrochemical process known as electrowinning.
Imagine you were washing your shoes in the sink, after a fun time jumping in muddy puddles. That slimy dirt at the bottom of the sink is sludge. It is not waste but a treasure chest full of tiny, valuable pieces of metal. My research is about finding a clever way to get those metals out of the sludge using electricity, with a process called electrochemical treatment.
Adding value to waste
Tiago is one of the 11 researchers involved in INCLUE, a project funded under the MSCA programme that addresses an often overlooked issue in wastewater treatment: sludge.
Sludge can contain contaminants, such as heavy metals or pathogens, that can pose risks to human and environmental health if not treated properly. At the same time, it constitutes a valuable resource that can be recovered and reused for renewable chemicals, materials, and fuels.
Through his research, Tiago intends to turn this residue, which has long been considered a hazardous waste, into ‘green gold’. To achieve this, he has been developing a sustainable process to extract metals from sludge using an urban mining approach.
It’s similar to using a magnet to pick up metal bits in your sandbox, but instead of a magnet, we use an electrical trick that makes the metal stick to the plate we put inside so we can easily remove it later. My work helps turning something that would be thrown away into a valuable resource, a win for both the planet and our economy. he explains.
This process helps maximise resource recovery, as the extracted metals can serve as raw materials for various industries. It also transforms the treated sludge, now free of contaminants, into a nutrient-rich fertiliser for agricultural use.
Tiago’s work supports the transition to a more circular and sustainable society by changing how we treat and use waste while tackling the increasing environmental challenges and resource scarcity.
Looking beyond technological innovation
Tiago has recently shifted his focus to assessing how the electrochemical process used to extract metals affects the toxicity of treated sludge. During his two-month secondment at the WatchFrog laboratory in France, he used advanced testing methods to evaluate changes in sludge toxicity after electrochemical treatment. This experience helped him determine optimal conditions for safer and more efficient resource recovery and reuse from sludge.
Building bridges across borders
The INCLUE project has allowed Tiago to advance his research in an international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary environment, making his experience as an MSCA fellow both enriching and rewarding.
My journey allowed me to perfect my French, English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian, and even learn Dutch, while diving deep into the fundamentals of electrochemistry through hands-on practice. Working with a close-knit group of PhD colleagues, who have become like family, has transformed everyday challenges into shared triumphs. This fellowship has enriched my professional and personal growth, setting the stage for even greater discoveries ahead.
From the lab to the world
Tiago’s passion for innovation and sustainable development also extends beyond the lab. His circular approach to wastewater treatment and resource recovery has been presented at international conferences, workshops, lectures, and training events in multiple countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. Tiago has also authored and co-authored several publications, including articles and book chapters.
Once he became an MSCA Fellow, Tiago soon joined the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA). He says he was drawn to the idea of a vibrant, international community of researchers supporting and inspiring one another.
I wanted to be part of something bigger than my individual project, and a network where scientific curiosity, cultural diversity, and mutual growth are celebrated seemed the perfect place for that. The MCAA is more than a research community: it provides help about our rights and duties as MSCA Fellows and also promotes knowledge sharing and development.
Thanks to the MCAA, Tiago has been able to expand his network and amplify the impact of his work.
As an MCAA member, I’m looking forward to building meaningful professional connections across disciplines and borders. The opportunity to engage in collaborative initiatives, participate in events and workshops, and contribute to policy discussions that shape the future of research in Europe and beyond is truly exciting.
More information
Connect with Tiago Martins on LinkedIn
Learn more about the INCLUE project
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