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Research Associate in Biogas Production from Seaweed

Scientific interests

My research interests fall broadly under the heading of soil and water quality.  This includes the impacts of natural and anthropogenic pollutants on soil and water chemistry, particularly the eco-toxicity of metals.  Recently, my attention has focussed towards the development of natural and waste bio-resources for renewable energy projects in remote communities.

At the Scottish Marine Institute I am a member of the

 

Educational and career history

Research

Research

Current project

 

Previous research projects

  • Consultancy and contract research projects within ERI research themes: Biotechnology / Bioresources, Renewable Energy and the Environment (2007-2009)
  • Feasibility Study: 'Bioenergy, bio-fertilisers and novel metal biosorbents from anaerobically digested shellfish wastes'. Faraday FastTrack Research Grant. April - October 2009 (collaboration with Heat & Power Ltd, Westray, Orkney)
  • Feasibility Study: 'Physico-chemical characterisation and market evaluation of CH & P boiler waste wood ash' Hi-links Innovation Funding. April - September 2008

 

Other consultancy and contract research projects

  • Feasibility study: Fe(III) and Al(III) removal from hatchery feed water using low cost bio-filters for River Helmsdale Salmon Syndicate (2004)
  • Feasibility study: Copper removal from distillery waste water using spent grain and crab carapace in biosorption columns for Dalmore Whisky Distillery (2003)
  • Review: Northern Peripheral Countries Project - Selection criteria and model evaluation of waste disposal and water treatment options in sparsely populated regions (SEWPER Phases I and II) (2002)

 

Grant capture

  • Faraday Fast Track Knowledge Transfer Grant: £4,600 (2008)
  • Interface Innovation Voucher Scheme: £4,890 (2009)

Publications

Publications

Peer reviewed publications

  • Rae, I. B., Gibb, S.W. and Lu, S (2009) Biosorption of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions by Crab carapace (Short Communication). Hazardous Materials, 164:1601-1604 
  • Rae, I. B., Gibb, S.W. (2004) Removal of metals from aqueous wastes using natural chitinous materials. Water Science and Technology, 47 (10):189-196
  • Rae, I. B., Gibb, S.W. (2003) Crab carapace: A low cost biosorbent for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solutions. IWA Water Intelligence Online

 

Selected presentations, posters and workshops

  • 'Sorption kinetics and equilibrium uptake of Hg(II) and Pb(II) by crab carapace' Poster (2009): 42nd International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Glasgow, UK (Awarded best poster prize)
  • 'Crab carapace for the removal of toxic metals from aqueous solutions' Poster (2008): 12th Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress, Dalian, China
  • 'Biosorption of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions by crab carapace' (2008) Platform, 9th IWA Young Water Professionals Conference, Newcastle, UK
  • 'Project Development and Management: Thinking Out the Box' Workshop Co-leader (2007): UHI Renewable Energy Research and Dissemination Conference, UK
  • Platform and Poster (2003): 4th European Meeting of Environmental Chemistry Plymouth, UK
  • Poster (2002): 3rd European Meeting of Environmental Chemistry Geneva, Switzerland
  • Poster (2002): 3rd International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress, Melbourne, Australia

Other

External activities

External responsibilities

  • Energy Advisor: Caithness Renewable Energy Forum (CREF)(2004-2006)
  • Scientific / Technical Advisor: International Water Association (IWA) and Chemistry in Industry (SCI) Bioremediation Specialist Advisory Groups (2005 to present)
  • Peer Reviewer for Journal of Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Clean-Water Soil and Air, Desalination, Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China, Journal of Hazardous Materials, International Journal of Microbiology Research, Water Online, Water Research (2005 to present)
  • Royal Society of Chemistry Student Mentor (2007 to present)

 

Invited lectures

  • 'Overview of Anaerobic Digestion processes and BioMara Project': Environmental Research Institute, Thurso, Caithness Public Seminar Series
  • 'The impacts of stump harvesting on stream water chemistry': Forestry Commissions Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian

 

Public engagement

  • Edinburgh University, Glow 'Too Hot to Handle' Program: Inter-School Video Conference on Marine Renewable Energy
  • Open days, school visits etc

 

 

Professional memberships

  • Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC): 1996-present
  • Member Society of Chemistry in Industry (SCI): 2000-present
  • Member International Water Association (IWA): 2000-present
  • Member Association of Chemistry in the Environment (ACE): 2007-present
  • Member Energy Institute (EI): 2007-present
  • Chartered Chemist (CChem) and Scientist (CSci): Awarded 2010 via the RSC

 

Students and Teaching

  • External Reader, Dundalk Institute of Technology
  • 12 CFAI Masters students (Project durations: 1 month)
  • 4 Nuffield Bursary Students (Project durations: 6 weeks)
  • 2 Erasmus undergraduate exchange students (Project durations: 6 months)

 
 
my contact details

Dr Ian Rae SAMS

Dr Ian Rae

E: Ian.Rae@sams.ac.uk

T: +44 (0) 1631 559 226

M: +44 (0) 7719 494945

F: +44 (0) 1631 559 001

Scottish Marine Institute

Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA, UK