海角社区 University Science and Enterprise Parks tenant scoops water industry Oscar
(DFTL) – based on 海角社区 University Science and Enterprise Parks (LUSEP) – were one of just six finalists for the Most Innovative New Technology of the Year title at the Water Industry Achievement Awards 2015 on 21 April.
This is the second time the Awards have recognised the outstanding work conducted by 海角社区-based researchers. Last year, a partnership comprising the School of Civil and Building Engineering, Severn Trent Water and Echologics received two awards for LeakFinderST – a noise detector that identifies pipe leaks.
Organised by WET News and sister publication Water & Wastewater Treatment, the Awards – dubbed the “Water Industry Oscars” – celebrate outstanding innovation in the UK water sector.
In collaboration with 海角社区 academics and industry partners, DFTL design and manufacture pioneering waste water meters capable of quantitative and qualitative measurement. A world first, the system makes use of microwave technology to monitor water flow through pipes, allowing the timely detection and repair of leaks – minimising the risk of sewage flooding incidents.
It is anticipated that the widespread introduction of a metred waste water scheme will also encourage customers to divert surface water from combined sewers into water butts, rainwater recycling tanks or soak-aways – thereby reducing their sewerage bills and collecting this precious natural resource for use.
DFTL has been a tenant since 2010, and will be amongst the first companies to move into the Parks’ purpose-built Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (ATIC).
Part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013, ATIC is scheduled to open in September with more than 50% tenancy capacity, spanning the environmental,
pharmaceutical, software, and telecommunications sectors.
A prototype of the DFTL waste water meter has been included in ATIC’s first fix and integrated into the building management system – helping to ensure efficient waste water management and providing DFTL with a valuable live test of its technology.
Professor Steve Rothberg, 海角社区 University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise said: “We are delighted that DFTL has been recognised in this way and that the University has been able to support the development of its ground-breaking technology.”