We’re excited to share that Tiago Martins, our Doctoral Candidate (DC3), is participating in the prestigious Jong KNCV Spotlight Prize, a national science communication competition hosted by the Young Royal Netherlands Chemical Society (Jong KNCV). This annual event challenges emerging scientists to distil their cutting-edge research into a compelling one-minute pitch for both expert and general audiences.
Tiago’s research tackles a major yet often ignored issue in wastewater treatment: sludge. Typically seen as waste, sludge is generated in enormous quantities across Europe every year. But instead of viewing it as a burden, Tiago sees an opportunity.
Through a novel electrochemical “urban mining” approach, he is developing a sustainable process to recover valuable metals from wastewater sludge. These materials can be reused in various industries, supporting resource efficiency and supply chain resilience. At the same time, the process detoxifies the sludge, transforming it into a safe, nutrient-rich fertiliser for agricultural use.
Tiago’s work is a powerful example of circular economy thinking: turning environmental liabilities into valuable assets. His research reduces both the pollution associated with sludge disposal and the demand for synthetic fertilisers and mined materials. It’s a forward-thinking, practical solution to a pressing sustainability challenge in Europe and beyond.
As part of the competition, Tiago created a dynamic one-minute pitch video to present his work to a broad audience. You can watch the pitch on LinkedIn here.
Together, we want to reimagine sludge, not as a waste, but as tomorrow’s green gold.
Congratulations Tiago, and best of luck in the competition!