CBE 298 Seminar: Electrochemical Revalorization of Biosolids and Nutrients Recovery

Abstract: Circularity and sustainability are typically used together and sometimes interchangeably leading to confusion and diluting the importance and value of the actions related to each other. Electrochemical technologies are an excellent platform to contribute toward both sustainability and circularity. In this talk, I will present a novel electrochemical technology for the valorization of biosolids, including nutrient recovery. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production, CASFER. Waste activated sludge (WAS) is the major byproduct of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Management and disposal of WAS create challenges for WWTPs such as high energy consumption and operational costs. The electrolysis of waste activated sludge (E-WAS) enables biosolid solubilization and production of chemicals of value, and fertilizer at low cell voltage and temperature under mild alkaline conditions. E-WAS would enable process intensification in municipal wastewater treatment plans and could transform sludge management operations from a cost model to a revenue generation model, leading toward circular economies.

Bio: Gerardine "Gerri" Botte is a visionary leader in electrochemical science and technology who has fundamentally transformed the field through groundbreaking innovations at the nexus of energy, water and food sustainability. As the Whitacre Endowed Chair in Sustainable Energy at Texas Tech University, she masterfully bridges fundamental scientific discovery with technological innovation and commercial impact.

Botte serves as the founding director of the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production (CASFER), a landmark $51 million initiative connecting Texas Tech, Georgia Tech, MIT, Case Western Reserve University and Florida A&M University. Under her strategic leadership, CASFER is revolutionizing approaches to global food security by developing next-generation technologies for decarbonized nitrogen-based fertilizer production.

Her pioneering research spans three critical areas: 1) sustainable resource recovery, converting waste materials into valuable resources; 2) clean energy systems, advancing hydrogen production and battery development; and 3) environmental protection, creating electrochemical solutions for water treatment and rapid diagnostics for COVID-19, HIV and other pathogens.

Botte's exceptional productivity is evidenced by more than 230 publications, including 108 peer-reviewed articles, 64 granted patents and 41 pending patents. Her work has garnered over 9,000 citations, placing her consistently among the top 2% of global researchers in her field according to Stanford University rankings. She is ranked within the top 0.05% of scholars worldwide according to the 2024 ScholarGPS rankings and recognized as the No. 3 lifetime researcher globally in urea research, specifically for groundbreaking work in urea electrolysis within the field of chemical engineering.

Her transformative academic leadership as Whitacre Department Chair of Chemical Engineering at Texas Tech University (2019-2022) catalyzed a remarkable 40% increase in research expenditures while implementing innovative curriculum changes. During her tenure, she created online graduate programs, doubled total award dollars and established record publications while increasing student enrollment. Previously, she founded and directed the Center for Electrochemical Engineering Research (CEER) at Ohio University, transforming it into a nationally recognized center.

As a distinguished academic entrepreneur, Botte has founded multiple companies, successfully translating scientific discoveries into commercial technologies with significant societal impact. Her leadership extends internationally as president of the Electrochemical Society (2023-2024), chair of the Electrochemical Process Engineering Division for the International Society of Electrochemistry (2019-2021), and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Applied Electrochemistry (since 2008).

Botte's exceptional contributions have earned her membership in the National Academy of Science of Venezuela (2023), designation as fellow of the Electrochemical Society (2014), and selection as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (2012). She was named Distinguished Professor at Ohio University (2015) and received numerous awards including the Most Disruptive Technology Award (2023) and President's Commercialization Award (2023) at Texas Tech University.

Botte received her Ph.D. (2000) and M.E. (1998) in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina and gained valuable industrial experience at Petroquimica de Venezuela before launching her academic career. With over 27 years of experience in electrochemical process development and more than $58 million in secured research funding, she exemplifies visionary leadership in addressing critical global challenges in food security, energy sustainability and environmental protection.