WTUN Exchange 2021/2022

The overall objective for the exchange is to encourage exchange research activity and proposals within the WTUN member under focus areas of Affordable and Clean Energy. Explore the collaborative research for advanced enzyme and microorganism technology to bioenergy and biochemical development (Excellent center of Enzyme and Microbial Utilization, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand) and the use of stimuli responsive polymers, peptide functional polymers, functional hydrogels and production of functional particles by Professor Stephen Rimmer (School of Chemistry and Bioscience, University of Bradford, UK). Focusing on, hydrogels/biopolymer are very important for biotechnology applications because they are flexibility and high water content, making them extremely suitable for biomaterials applications. Also, knowledge integration to develop unique microbial and enzyme from KMUTT culture’s collection with robust polymer  technology from UK, focusing on processing methods and novel applications also, for lignocellulosic valorization to affordable and clean energy. Exploring the efficiency of biocatalysts such as mass transfer, poisoning, catalyst deactivation and long reaction time can be outstripped by novel bio-immobilization/bio-encapzuation.

As the same time, deliver a seminar of current research at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi on enzyme and microorganism technology and discussion on develop collaborate idea and the methods for preparing functional hydrogels/biopolymer.

Planning for further opportunities for international collaboration

Moreover, investigate specific areas of biopretreatment to high value bioproducts efficient building for joint proposal to find the grant for the joint scheme between Thailand and UK.