EPS2021/04: Deep Eutectic Solvent and Supercritical Fluid Extraction of High Value Chemicals from Agri-Food Waste

Heriot-Watt University has now created scholarship opportunities in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences for 2021-22. 

Requirements

All applicants must have or expect to have a 1st class MChem, MPhys, MSci, MEng or equivalent degree by Autumn 2021. Selection will be based on academic excellence and research potential, and all short-listed applicants will be interviewed (in person or via Microsoft Teams). Most of these scholarships are only open to UK/EU applicants and for

students who meet residency requirements set out by EPSRC

https://epsrc.ukri.org/skills/students/guidance-on-epsrc-studentships/eligibility/  For some projects, applications may be accepted for exceptional overseas applicants.

Green waste from agricultural production (e.g. potato haulms, tomato vines) are a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites with exploitation potential. However, extracting them is difficult due to the complex structure of the plant matrix. In collaboration with the James Hutton Institute in Dundee (Prof. Derek Stewart), the student will explore the suitability of two emerging extraction methods, deep eutectic solvents and supercritical fluid extraction for recovering high value chemicals from plant waste.