University of Kansas School of Engineering: Environmental Engineering Wet Laboratory

The Environmental Research and Environmental Instrument Laboratories were renovated in 2007 and comprise 2600 sq. ft. of wet lab, analytical chemistry, microbiology, and fluorescent microscopy workspaces.

 

Dr. Sturm also oversees two labs (a 450 sq. ft. Greenhouse and a 730 sq. ft. wet lab) in the Measurement, Materials and Sustainable Environment Center, which was dedicated in fall 2012.

 

In total, these laboratories contain all of the equipment necessary to perform reactor and biological growth experiments. The School of Engineering has a full-time technician staff and machine shop to help design, build, and maintain experimental set-ups.

 

A list of key research capabilities for this space are:

 

Key research capabilities:

 

  • Biological Reactor Studies (bench-scale)
    • Sequencing Batch Reactors for Wastewater Treatment
    • Granular Activated Sludge reactors
    • Biofilm reactors and biofilm characterization
    • Algal Photobioreactors

 

  • Treatability Studies (microcosms, bench-scale, mesocosms
    • Testing of biological treatment capacity at multiple scales

 

  • Biological Analysis
    • DNA Extraction and quantification
    • Fluorescent microscopy for species identification (FISH)
    • Extracellular polymeric substance studies (chemical and microscopic)