Dr. Liwen Xiao

Dr. Liwen Xiao

Associate Professor, Civil Struct & Env. Eng.

3531896 3741http://people.tcd.ie/lxiao

Biography

Dr. Liwen Xiao received his PhD degree at NUI Galway and worked as a lecturer there before joining the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at TCD as Assistant Professor in 2013. Since joining TCD, Dr Xiao has continued his research work in the following areas: (1) fuel cell technologies, (2) sustainable treatment of wastewater, (3) emerging contaminants (microplastics, antibiotics) detection and removal and (4) impacts of human activities on water quality and ecology. He currently has 4 PhD students in his research group and is involved in a number of research projects funded by national and international funding agencies. Dr Xiao is the Director of MSc in Engineering programme. He is a college tutor and a deputy director of the research centre TrinityHaus.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

  • C. O'Driscoll, J. Sheahan, F. Pilla, B. Misstear, X. Zhan, L. Xiao, Identification of high risk catchments for public and private water supplies in relation to NOM across Ireland, NOM6, the 6th International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Conference on Natural Organic Matter in Water, Malmo, Sweden, 7-10 September, 2015Poster, 2015
  • Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam, Mika Nieminen, Annu Kaila, Raija Laiho, Sakari Sarkkola, Mark O'Connor, Afshan Sana, Connie O'Driscoll, Michael Rodgers, Xinmin Zhan, L.W. Xiao, Nutrient and heavy metal dynamics in decaying harvest residue needles on drained blanket peat forests, European Journal of Forest Research, 133, 2014, p969 - 982Journal Article, 2014
  • Kaila A., Kaila A., Sarkkola S., Laurén A., Ukonmaanaho L., Koivusalo H., Xiao L., O'Driscoll C., Asam Z., Tervahauta A., Nieminen M., Phosphorus export from drained Scots pine mires after clear-felling and bioenergy harvesting, Forest Ecology and Management, 325, 2014, p99-107Journal Article, 2014, DOI
  • Kaila A., Kaila A., Laurén A., Sarkkola S., Koivusalo H., Ukonmaanaho L., O"Driscoll C., Xiao L., Asam Z., Nieminen M., Effect of clear-felling and harvest residue removal on nitrogen and phosphorus export from drained norway spruce mires in southern finland, Boreal Environment Research, 20, (6), 2015, p693-706Journal Article, 2015, TARA - Full Text
  • Muniraj I., Xiao L., Liu H., Zhan X., Utilisation of potato processing wastewater for microbial lipids and "-linolenic acid production by oleaginous fungi, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 95, (15), 2015, p3084-3090Journal Article, 2015, DOI
  • Muniraj Iniya Kumar, Uthandi Siva Kumar, Hu Zhenhu, Xiao Liwen, Zhan Xinmin , Microbial lipid production from renewable and waste materials for second-generation biodiesel feedstock, Environmental Technology Reviews, 4, (1), 2015, p1 - 16Journal Article, 2015
  • Morgan D., Xiao, L., McNabola, A., Evaluation of Combined Sewer Overflow assessment methods: case study of Cork City, Ireland, Water and Environment Journal, 2017, p1-7Journal Article, 2017, DOI
  • Annu Kaila, Zaki Asam, Markku Koskinen, Risto Uusitalo, Aino Smolander, Oili Kiikkilä, Sakari Sarkkola, Connie O'Driscoll, Veikko Kitunen, Hannu Fritze, Hannu Nousiainen, Arja Tervahauta, Liwen Xiao, Mika Nieminen, Impact of Re-wetting of Forestry-Drained Peatlands on Water Quality-a Laboratory Approach Assessing the Release of P, N, Fe, and Dissolved Organic Carbon, Water, Air, & Soil Pollution , 227, (8), 2016, p227 - 292Journal Article, 2016, URL
  • Assessment and mitigation of nutrients losses from forest harvesting on upland blanket peat - a case study in the Burrishoole Catchment in, Forestry / Book 1, 2011, [1. Xiao L.W*, Rodgers M., O'Connor M., O'Driscoll C. and Asam Z]Book Chapter, 2011
  • Liam Henry , Comparison of intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactors (IASBRs) and conventional sequencing batch reactors (cSBRs) in wastewater treatment , NUI Galway, 2014Thesis, 2014
  • O'Driscoll C. , Assessment and mitigation of soil and nutrients losses from acid-sensitive catchments to salmonid receiving waters , NUI Galway, 2012Thesis, 2012
  • Asam Z, Investigation of nutrient sources and their transportation from soils to water, NUI Galway, 2012Thesis, 2012
  • Kumar I. , Biodiesel production from agro-industrial waste using oleaginous fungi , NUI Galway, 2012Thesis, 2012
  • Michael RodgersJohn MulqueenAoife LambeLiwen XiaoEoghan CliffordJohn Prendergast, 'A Biofilm Reactor', National University Of Ireland, Galway, US7938965 B2, 2011Patent, 2011, URL
  • Geotechnical aspects of peatland restoration and management, Environmental Geotechnics, Institution of Civil Engineering, [eds.], 2018Editorial Board, 2018
  • O'Driscoll C, O'Connor M, Asam ZU, de Eyto E, Brown LE, Xiao L, Forest clearfelling effects on dissolved oxygen and metabolism in peatland streams., Journal of environmental management, 166, 2015, p250-259Journal Article, 2015, DOI
  • O'Driscoll C, Ramwell C, Harhen B, Morrison L, Clauson-Kaas F, Hansen HC, Campbell G, Sheahan J, Misstear B, Xiao L, Ptaquiloside in Irish Bracken Ferns and Receiving Waters, with Implications for Land Managers., Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 21, (5), 2016Journal Article, 2016, DOI
  • Molecular Diversity of Oleaginous Fungi in Irish Soil and Their Potential for Biodiesel Production in, Molecular Markers in Mycology, 2017, [IK Muniraj, S Uthandi, L Xiao, Z Hu, X Zhan]Book Chapter, 2017
  • O'Driscoll C., Sheahan J.N., Renou-Wilson F., Croot P., Pilla F., Zhan X., Misstear B.D.R. and Xiao L., National scale assessment of total trihalomethanes in Irish drinking water, Journal of Environmental Management, 212, 2018, p131 - 141Journal Article, 2018, URL
  • Morgan, D., Xiao, L., McNabola, A, Technologies for Monitoring, Detecting and Treating Overflows from Urban Wastewater Networks (2014-W-DS-19), EPA Research Report, 240, Dublin, Environmental Protection Agency, 2018, 1-69Report, 2018
  • D Li, Y Shi, F Gao, L Yang, DK Kehoe, L Romeral. YK Gun'ko, MEG Lyons, JJ Wang, D Mullarkey, IV Shivets, L Xiao, Characterising and control of ammonia emission in microbial fuel cells, Chemical Engineering Journal, 389, 2020, p124462Journal Article, 2020, URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Shi Y., Li D., Gill L., Misstear B., O'Donohue I., Xiao L., Investigation into the Causes, Impacts and Measures to Deal with Algal Blooms in Vartry Reservoir, Wexford, Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, 2020, 1 - 35ppBook, 2020, URL
  • D. Li, Y. Shi, L. Yang, L. Xiao, D. K. Kehoe, Y. K. Gun'ko, J. J. Boland, J. J. Wang, Microplastic release from the degradation of polypropylene feeding bottles during infant formula preparation, Nature Food, 1, 2020, p746 - 751Journal Article, 2020, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • O'Kelly B.C., El-Zein A., Liu X., Patel A., Fei X., Sharma S., Mohammad A., Goli V.S.N.S., Wang J.J., Li D., Shi Y., Xiao L., Kuntikana G., Shashank B.S., Sarris T.S., Rao B.H., Mohamed A.M.O., Paleologos E.K., Nezhad M.M. and Singh D.N., Microplastics in soils: an environmental geotechnics perspective, Environmental Geotechnics, 8, (8), 2021, p586 - 618Journal Article, 2021, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • Goli V., Paleologos E., Farid A., Mohamed A., O'Kelly B., Gamal M., Vaverkoba M., Jiang N., Wang J., Xiao L., Sing P., Han X., Shi Y., Li Du., Sengupta A., Kayali S., Singh Y., Mohammad A., Singh D, Extraction and Characterisation of microplastics from organic solid matrices and their remediation, Environmental Geotechnics , 2022Journal Article, 2022
  • Guobao Yao, Rui Tang, Haiping Luo, Shoujun Yuan, Wei Wang, Liwen Xiao, Xiangqian Chu, Zhenhu Hu , Zero-valent iron mediated alleviation of methanogenesis inhibition induced by organoarsenic roxarsone, Science of the Total Environment , 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • L Xiao, M Robinson, M O'Connor, Woodland's role in natural flood management: Evidence from catchment studies in Britain and Ireland, Science of The Total Environment, 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • Yunhong Shi, Dunzhu Li, Liwen Xiao*, Daragh Mullarkey, Daniel K. Kehoe, Emmet D. Sheerin, Sebastian Barwich, Luming Yang, Yurii K. Gun'ko, Igor V. Shvets, Matthias E. Möbius, John J. Boland*, Jing Jing Wang* , Real-world natural passivation phenomena can limit microplastic generation in water, Chemical Engineering Journal, 425, 2022Journal Article, 2022, URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Dunzhu Li, Luming Yang, Rachel Kavanagh, Liwen Xiao, Yunhong Shi, Daniel K Kehoe, Emmet D Sheerin, Yurii K Gun'ko, John J Boland, Jing Jing Wang, Sampling, Identification and Characterization of Microplastics Release from Polypropylene Baby Feeding Bottle during Daily Use, Journal of Visualized Experiments: Jove, 173, 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Jizhong Meng, Arong Arong, Shoujun Yuan, Wei Wang, Juliang Jin, Xinmin Zhan, Liwen Xiao, Zhenhu Hu, Photodegradation of roxarsone in the aquatic environment: influencing factors, mechanisms and artificial neural network modeling, Research Square, 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • Shasha Qi, Jinbiao Lin, Yulan Wang, Shoujun Yuan, Wei Wang, Liwen Xiao, Xinmin Zhan, Zhenhu Hu, Fermentation liquid production of food wastes as carbon source for denitrification: Laboratory and full-scale investigation, Chemosphere, 270, 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam, Connie O'Driscoll, Mohsin Abbas, Mark O'Connor, Muhammad Waqas, Mohammad Rehan, Abdul-Sattar Nizami, Liwen Xiao, Mechanism and role of seeded native grasses to immobilize nitrogen on harvested blanket peat forests for protection of water courses, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 2021, p24756 - 24770Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • Dunzhu Li, Yunhong Shi, Fei Gao, Luming Yang, Siyuan Li, Liwen Xiao, Understanding the current plummeting phenomenon in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), Journal of Water Process Engineering, 40, 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • Shasha Qi, Shoujun Yuan, Wei Wang, Liwen Xiao, Xinmin Zhan, Zhenhu Hu, Effect of solid-liquid separation on food waste fermentation products as external carbon source for denitrification, Journal of Cleaner Production, 284, 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • Jia Deng, Liwen Xiao, Shoujun Yuan, Wei Wang, Xinmin Zhan, Zhen-Hu Hu, Activation of peroxymonosulfate by CoFeNi layered double hydroxide/graphene oxide (LDH/GO) for the degradation of gatifloxacin, Separation and Purification Technology, 255, 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • Yuansheng Hu, Guangxue Wu, Ruihua Li, Liwen Xiao, Xinmin Zhan, Iron sulphides mediated autotrophic denitrification: An emerging bioprocess for nitrate pollution mitigation and sustainable wastewater treatment, Water research, 179, 2020Journal Article, 2020, URL
  • Lin Shi, Zhenhu Hu, Walquiria Silva Simplici, Songkai Qiu, Liwen Xiao, Brendan Harhen, Xinmin Zhan, Antibiotics in nutrient recovery from pig manure via electrodialysis reversal: Sorption and migration associated with membrane fouling, 597, 2020Journal Article, 2020, URL
  • Lin Shi, Liwen Xiao, Zhenhu Hu, Xinmin Zhan, Nutrient recovery from animal manure using bipolar membrane electrodialysis: study on product purity and energy efficiency, 1, 2020, p54 - 62Journal Article, 2020, URL
  • Zhaolu Feng, Yihui Wu, Yunhong Shi, Liwen Xiao, Guangxue Wu, Successful startup of one-stage partial nitritation and anammox system through cascade oxygen supply and potential ecological network analysis, Science of the Total Environment, 696, 2019Journal Article, 2019, URL
  • Fei Gao, Liwen Xiao, Hongzhou Zhang, Potential of using synthesized nano-zeolite for ammonium and phosphate immobilization in dairy wastewater, Journal of Dairy Research, 85, (3), 2018Journal Article, 2018, URL
  • William Finnegan, Eoghan Clifford, Jamie Goggins, Niall O'Leary, Alan Dobson, Neil Rowan, Liwen Xiao, Song Miao, Kelly Fitzhenry, Peter Leonard, Emma Tarpey, Beatriz Gil-Pulido, Fei Gao, Xinmin Zhan, DairyWater: striving for sustainability within the dairy processing industry in the Republic of Ireland, Journal of Dairy Research, 85, (3), 2018Journal Article, 2018, URL
  • Connie O'Driscoll, José LJ Ledesma, John Coll, John G Murnane, Paul Nolan, Eva M Mockler, Martyn N Futter, Liwen W Xiao, Minimal climate change impacts on natural organic matter forecasted for a potable water supply in Ireland, Science of the total environment, 630, 2018, p869 - 877Journal Article, 2018, URL
  • Xinmin Zhan, Liwen Xiao, LivestockWaste 2016-International conference on recent advances in pollution control and resource recovery for the livestock sector, Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 11, (3), 2017Journal Article, 2017
  • Iniya Kumar Muniraj, Liwen Xiao, Zhenhu Hu, Xinmin Zhan, Screening and characterization of oleaginous fungi from Irish soil for growth under low carbon substrates, Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci, 6, 2017, p772 - 781Journal Article, 2017
  • Wang J. J, L. Xiao, J. J. Boland, D. Li, Y. Shi, 'Coating material surfaces to prevent nano- and micro-particle generation', Trinity College Dublin, 2021Patent, 2021
  • Oluwasegun John Ohunyeye , The impact of electromagnetic fields and chemical from offshore windfarm subsea power cables on marine environment , Master, 2022Thesis, 2022
  • Mark Farrell , Assessment of a disused rock quarry for the purpose of a public water supply - a case study, 2020Thesis, 2020
  • Yunhong Shi , Investigation into the causes, impacts and measures to deal with the diatom bloom in Vartry Reservoir , Trinity College Dublin, 2019Thesis, 2019
  • Shi, Y. and Li, D. and Xiao, L. and Sheerin, E.D. and Mullarkey, D. and Yang, L. and Bai, X. and Shvets, I.V. and Boland, J.J. and Wang, J.J., The influence of drinking water constituents on the level of microplastic release from plastic kettles, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 425, (127997), 2022Journal Article, 2022, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Goli V.S.N.S., Paleologos E.K., Farid A., Mohamed A.M.O., O'Kelly B.C., El Gamal M.M., Vaverková M.D., Jiang N.J., Wang J.J., Xiao L., Singh P., Han X.L., Shi Y., Li D., Sengupta A., Kayali S.L., Singh Y., Mohammad A. and Singh D.N., Extraction, characterisation and remediation of microplastics from organic solid matrices, Environmental Geotechnics, 11, (4), 2024, p259 - 292Journal Article, 2024, DOI
  • D Li, Y Shi, Y Sun, Z Wang, DK Kehoe, L Romeral, F Gao, L Yang, D McCurtin, YK Gun'ko, MEG Lyons, L Xiao, Microbe-based sensor for long term detection of urine glucose, Sensors, 22, 2022, p5340Journal Article, 2022, DOI
  • Luming Yang, Dunzhu Li, Yunhong Shi, Christopher Hill, Rekha Pilliadugula, Laura Page, Jing Jing Wang, John J. Boland, Liwen Xiao, High levels of microparticles release from biodegradable polylactic acid paper cups compared with polyethylene-lined cups, Chemical Engineering Journal, 468, 2023, p143620Journal Article, 2023, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • Dunzhu Li, Yunhong Shi, Zeena Wang, Fei Gao, Luming Yang, Yifan Sun, Liwen Xiao, Characterising operational performance and oxygen crossover of the low-cost cylindrical cathode in microbial fuel cells, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11, (2), 2023, p109462Journal Article, 2023, DOI
  • Dunzhu Li, Yifan Sun, Yunhong Shi, Zeena Wang, Saviour Okeke, Luming Yang, Wen Zhang, Liwen Xiao, Structure evolution of air cathodes and their application in electrochemical sensor development and wastewater treatment, Science of The Total Environment, 869, 2023, p161689Journal Article, 2023, DOI
  • Yifan Sun, Dunzhu Li, Yunhong Shi, Zeena Wang, Saviour Okeke, Luming Yang, Wen Zhang, Zihan Zhang, Yanqi Shi, Liwen Xiao, Application of 3D Printing Technology in Sensor Development for Water Quality Monitoring, Sensors, 23, (5), 2023, p2366Journal Article, 2023, DOI
  • Zeena Wang, Dunzhu Li, Yunhong Shi, Yifan Sun, Saviour Okeke, Luming Yang, Wen Zhang, Zihan Zhang, Yanqi Shi, Liwen Xiao, Recent Implementations of Hydrogel-Based Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs) in Sensing Applications, Sensors, 23, (2), 2023, p641Journal Article, 2023, DOI
  • Dunzhu Li, Emmet D. Sheerin, Yunhong Shi, Liwen Xiao, Luming Yang, John Boland, Jing Jing Wang, Alcohol Pretreatment to Eliminate the Interference of Micro Additive Particles in the Identification of Microplastics Using Raman Spectroscopy, Environmental Science & Technology, 56, (17), 2022, p12158--12168Journal Article, 2022, DOI
  • Chen Huanq, Liu Zhen, Yang Xingji, He Peiha, Shi Chunxu, Feng Qingg, Xiao Liwe, A novel strategy of high oxygen vacancy concentration regulation for promoting the formation of nonradical species in the directional activation of peroxymonosulfate, Chemical Engineering Journal, 468, 2023, p143839-Journal Article, 2023, DOI , URL
  • Bai Wenjin, Tang Ru, Wu Guangxu, Wang We, Yuan Shouju, Xiao Liwe, Zhan Xinmi, Hu Zhen-H, Co-precipitation of heavy metals with struvite from digested swine wastewater: Role of suspended solids, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 455, 2023, p131633-Journal Article, 2023, DOI , URL
  • Bai Wenjin, Tang Ru, Wu Guangxu, Wang We, Yuan Shouju, Xiao Liwe, Zhan Xinmi, Hu Zhen-H, Role of suspended solids on the co-precipitation of pathogenic indicators and antibiotic resistance genes with struvite from digested swine wastewater, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 459, 2023, p132235-Journal Article, 2023, DOI , URL
  • Shi, Y. and Li, D. and Hill, C. and Yang, L. and Sheerin, E.D. and Pilliadugula, R. and Wang, J.J. and Boland, J. and Xiao, L., Micro and nano plastics release from a single absorbable suture into simulated body fluid, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 466, (133559), 2024Journal Article, 2024, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Zhang We, Qi Lian, Li Dunzh, Xiao Liwe, A kinetic model for porosity evaluation in Fe(0) mixed material-based sequential groundwater remediation, Science of The Total Environment, 908, 2024, p168507-Journal Article, 2024
  • Chen Zhen, Dou Shuguan, Zhao Cairon, Xiao Liwe, Lu Zhib, Qiu Yupin, Machine learning-assisted assessment of key meteorological and crop factors affecting historical mulch pollution in China, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 465, 2024, p133281-Journal Article, 2024
  • Zhang We, Qi Lian, Li Lin, Guo Chengche, Xiao Liwe, Characteristics of zero-valent iron surface oxide films under the catalytic interface reactions by assisting ligands in nitrate-contaminated groundwater, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 472, 2024, p134433-Journal Article, 2024
  • Shi Yanq, Shi Linpin, Huang Hexinyu, Ye Kef, Yang Lumin, Wang Zeen, Sun Yifa, Li Dunzh, Shi Yunhon, Xiao Liwe, Gao Shixian, Analysis of aged microplastics: a review, Environmental Chemistry Letters, 22, (4), 2024, p1861 - 1888Journal Article, 2024
  • Luo Changjia, Hou Yuanzhan, Ye Wenka, Tang Yuche, He Def, Xiao Liwe, Qiu Yupin, Algae polysaccharide-induced transport transformation of nanoplastics in seawater-saturated porous media, Water Research, 259, 2024, p121807-Journal Article, 2024
  • Chen Huanq, Liu Zhen, Yang Xingji, He Peiha, Feng Qingg, Sun Xian, Xiao Liwe, Yao Xiaolon, Facilitating interface tuning of metal-support interaction on the sepiolite surface for the enhancement of metronidazole removal, Separation and Purification Technology, 354, 2025, p129141-Journal Article, 2025
  • Iniya Kumar Muniraj, Liwen Xiao, Zhenhu Hu, Xinmin Zhan, Jianghong Shic, Microbial Lipid Production from Potato Processing Wastewater Using Oleaginous Filamentous Fungi Aspergillus oryzae, Water Research, 2013Journal Article, 2013
  • Connie O'Driscoll, Elvira de Eyto, Michael Rodgers, Mark O'Connor, Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam, Martyn Kelly, Liwen Xiao, Influence of natural variation for biomonitoring in upland peat rivers, Hydrobiologia, 2013Journal Article, 2013
  • Asam, Z., Kaila, A., Nieminen, M., Sarkkola, S., O'Driscoll, C., O'Connor, M., Sana, A., Rodgers, M., Xiao, L, Assessment of phosphorus retention efficiency of blanket peat buffer areas using a laboratory flume approach, Ecological Engineering, 49, 2012Journal Article, 2012
  • Kaila, A., Asam, Z., Sarkkola, S., Xiao, L., Finér, L., Laurén, A., Vasander, H., Nieminen, M, Decomposition of Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Pinus sylvestris L. cutting residue needles on peatlands drained for forestry - implications for nutrient and heavy metal dynamics, Forest Ecology and Management, 277, 2012Journal Article, 2012
  • O'Driscoll, C., Rodgers, M., O'Connor, M., Asam, Z., De Eyto, E., Xiao, L, Diatom assemblages and their associated environmental factors in upland peat forest rivers, Ecological Indicators, 2012Journal Article, 2012
  • Rodgers M., Lambe A. and Xiao L.W., Carbon and nitrogen removal using a novel horizontal flow biofilm system, Process Biochemistry, 41 , (11), 2006Journal Article, 2006
  • Rodgers M., Xiao L.W.* and Mulqueen J. , Synthetic Dairy Wastewater Treatment Using a New Horizontal-Flow Biofilm Reactor, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering, 41, (5), 2006Journal Article, 2006
  • Xiao L.W.*, Rodgers M. and Mulqueen J. , Organic carbon and nitrogen removal from a strong wastewater using a denitrifying suspended growth reactor and a horizontal-flow biofilm reactor, Bioresource Technology, 98, 2007Journal Article, 2007
  • Rodgers M., Xiao L.W.* and Muqueen J. , Horizontal-flow biofilm system with step feed for nitrogen removal, Journal of Environmental Engineering (ASCE), 133, (6), 2007Journal Article, 2007
  • Rodgers M., O'Connor M., Healy M., O'Driscoll C., Asama Z., Nieminen M., Poole R., Muller M. and Xiao L.W.*, Phosphorus release from forest harvesting on an upland blanket peat catchment, Forest Ecology and Management, 260, (12), 2010Journal Article, 2010
  • Rodgers M., O'Connor M., Robinson M., Muller M., Poole R., and Xiao L.W, Suspended solid yield from forest harvesting on upland blanket peat, Hydrol. Process , 25, (2), 2011Journal Article, 2011
  • O'Driscoll C., Rodgers M., O'Connor M., Asam Z., de Eyto E., Poole R., and Xiao L.W, A Potential Solution to Mitigate Phosphorus Release Following Clearfelling in Peatland Forest Catchments, Water Air Soil Pollution, 221, 2011Journal Article, 2011
  • Henry, L.W. Xiao and X. Zhan, Effect of aeration rate on domestic wastewater treatment using an intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor technology, Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2013Journal Article, 2013
  • Ruihua Li, Cathal Kelly, Richard Keegan, Liwen Xiao, Liam Morrison, Xinmin Zhan, Phosphorus removal from wastewater using natural pyrrhotite, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 427, 2013Journal Article, 2013
  • Connie O'Driscoll, Elvira de Eyto, Mark O'Connor, Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam, Michael Rodgers, Liwen Xiao*, Biotic response to forest harvesting in acidic blanket peat fed streams: A case study from Ireland, Forest Ecology and Management, 2013Journal Article, 2013
  • Connie O'Driscoll, Mark O'Connor, Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam,Elvira de Eyto, Michael Rodgers, Liwen Xiao∗, Creation and functioning of a buffer zone in a blanket peatforested catchment, Ecological Engineering, 62, 2014Journal Article, 2014
  • Zaki-ul-Zaman Asama, Mika Nieminen, Connie O'Driscoll, Mark O'Connor, Sakari Sarkkola, Annu Kaila, Afshan Sana, Michael Rodgers, Xinmin Zhan, Liwen Xiao*, Export of phosphorus and nitrogen from lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) brash windrows on harvested blanket peat forests, Ecological Engineering, 64, 2014, p161 - 170Journal Article, 2014
  • Connie O'Driscoll, Mark O'Connor, Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam, Elvira de Eyto, Russell Poole, Michael Rodgers, Xinmin Zhan and Liwen Xiao*, Whole-tree harvesting and grass seeding as potential mitigation methods for phosphorus export control in forest harvested peatland catchments., Forest Ecology and Management, 319, 2014, p176 - 185Journal Article, 2014
  • Xiao L.W*, and Michael Rodgers, Comparison of nitrogen removals from synthetic dairy wastewater using two horizontal-flow biofilm reactor systems - one with a denitrifying suspended growth reactor and the other with a step feed, IWA 8th Specialised Conference on Small Water and Wastewater Systems and 2nd Specialized Conference on Decentralised Water and Wastewater International Network, KCT, Coimbatore, India, 2008Conference Paper, 2008
  • O'Driscoll C., Rodgers M., O'Connor M., Asam Z. and Xiao L.W, Assessment of forest clearfelling impacts on salmonid waters in the west of Ireland, In: The British and Irish Diatom Meeting. Glencree Reconciliation Centre, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. 22-24th October 2010, 2010Conference Paper, 2010
  • Xiao L.W*, Robinson M., Rodgers M., O'Connor M., M., O'Driscoll, C., Asam, Z.-U-.Z , Impact of blanket peat forest harvesting on stream flow regime - A case study in the Burrishoole catchment, Co. Mayo., In: Proceedings of the National Hydrology Conference, Radisson Hotel, Athlone, Ireland 15th November 2011, 2011Conference Paper, 2011
  • Kaila A., Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam, Sakari Sarkkola, Xiao L.W, Ari Laurén, Mika Nieminen, The effect of water table rising on nutrient and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release from restorated peatland forests, In: the 14th International Peat Congress, in Stockholm, Sweden 3-8 June 2012, 2012Conference Paper, 2012
  • Asam Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam, Mika Nieminen, Annu Kaila, Afshan Sana, Sakari Sarkkola Connie O'Driscoll Mark O'Connor, Michael Rodgers , Xiao L.W, Assessment of nutrient release from harvest residue and the roles of buffer areas and seeded vegetation in nutrient retention in harvested blanket peat foreste, In: the 14th International Peat Congress, in Stockholm, Sweden 3-8 June 2012, 2012Conference Paper, 2012
  • O'Driscoll C., Rodgers M., O'Connor M., Asam Z. and Xiao L.W, Assessment of the impact of phased felling the ecological quality of first order streams and subsequent salmonid river, In: the 14th International Peat Congress, in Stockholm, Sweden 3-8 June 2012., 2012Conference Paper, 2012
  • Xiao L.W*, Robinson M., Rodgers M., O'Connor M., M., O'Driscoll, C., Asam, Z.-U-.Z, Impact of blanket peat forest harvesting on stream flow regime, In: the 14th International Peat Congress, in Stockholm, Sweden 3-8 June 2012, 2012Conference Paper, 2012
  • K. Li, Z.L. Tong, L.W. Xiao, X. Zhan and Z.H Hu, Adsorption of Roxars one from aqueous solution by anaerobic granular sludge, In: International Symposium "Recent Advances in Water Resources management & Pollution Control with Special Focus on China", Galway, Ireland. 10-11 May 2012, 2012Conference Paper, 2012
  • Michael Rodgers, Xiao L.W, Markus Müller, Mark O'Connor, Elvira de Eyto, Russell Poole, Mark Robinson and Mark Healy, Quantification of Erosion and Phosphorus Release from a Peat Soil Forest Catchment, Dublin, 2008Report
  • Sarah Noonan , An Environmental Analysis of Irish Peatlands from a Wind Energy and Carbon Balance Perspective, TCD, 2013Thesis
  • Xiao L.W, High strength agricultural wastewater treatment using novel horizontal-flow biofilm reactors, NUI Galway, 2007Thesis
  • Xiao L.W, Assessment of natural organic matter (NOM) and ptaquiloside in Irish waters, China-Ireland Symposium on Environmental Biotechnology , Shenzhen, China, May 17, 2014Invited Talk
  • Connie O'Driscoll, Liwen Xiao, Xinmin Zhan, Bruce Misstear, Francesco Pilla, Carmel Ramwell, Assessment of natural organic matter (NOM) and ptaquiloside in Irish waters, Dublin, 2017Report
  • Georgia Giannakopoulou , Technologies for energy harvesting from municipal waste , Trinity College Dublin, 2021Thesis
  • David McCurtin , Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology for glucose level detection in the urine, Trinity College Dublin, 2021Thesis
  • Thomas Robinson , Ultraviolet light emitting diodes powered by microbial fuel cells for water disinfection, Trinity College Dublin, 2020Thesis
  • Shaobao Duan , Food Chain Modelling - How to Control Algal Concentration , Trinity College Dublin, 2020Thesis
  • Mengyao Yan , Degradation of antibiotics in the anaerobic digestion reactor , Trinity College Dublin, 2020Thesis
  • Siún McMenamy , Impact of Biomass Harvesting from Irish Forestry on the Environment, Trinity College Dublin, 2018Thesis
  • Liwen Xiao, Tom Grey, Dunzhu Li, 'E3 Garden', Bord Bia Bloom Garden Show, Phoenix Park, Dublin; Trinity College Dublin, 2019, -Exhibition

Research Expertise

(1) Fuel cell technologies (2) Sustainable treatment of wastewater, (3) Emerging contaminants (microplastics, antibiotics) detection and removal and (4) Impacts of human activities on water quality and ecology. Prof Xiao is co-leading a study with two other colleagues to study microplastics (MPs) release from plastics products. The study led to several papers published in journals such as Nature Food and Chemical Engineering Journal, 4 patents (one filed, three pending) and a SFI Plastic Challenge Award. The findings were featured in more than 300 national and international news outlets and media such as CCTV4, Guardian, BBC, NPR. Prof Xiao is leading a multidisciplinary team to develop next generation energy neutral wastewater treatment technologies. The study led to one Trinity College Provost Project Award, an Intel Bursary Award, ESAI Undergraduate of the Year award, one best conference paper award, one best MAI project award, and numeral publications numeral papers published in journals such as Water Research and Chemical Engineering Journal and two patents (one licensed to an international company and another is pending). Prof Xiao designed a show garden in Bloom 2019, Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland in June 2019, which integrated the garden design with the next generation energy neutral wastewater treatment technologies. This award-winning garden was visited by the prime minister of Ireland and more than 100,000 people, and featured in Irish national TV channel RTE and dozens of median. Prof Xiao also developed a wastewater treatment unit for the treatment of wastewater from 300 population and the technology was licensed to an international company. Prof Xiao developed the Burrishoole peatland forest research facility in Co. Mayo, Ireland. The facility includes 4 well equipped catchments for research of impact of peatland forest on soil erosion, water quality and ecology. Mitigation methods and technologies can be tested and validated in a catchment scale using the facility. 4 mitigation methods were successfully tested and validated in the facility by Prof Xiao and his team. Some of the methods were adopted by the stakeholders and decision makers such the Irish Department of Agriculture and Coiltte.

  • Title
    Microbial Fuel Cells based system for pollutants Removal, resources Recovery and Disinfection (MFCs-R2D)
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    Enterprise Ireland
    Date From
    2020
    Date To
    2020
  • Title
    Hybrid Graphene-Microsphere SERS Devices- Portable and Low Cost Sensors for Trace Element Detection and Identification in Continuous Flow
    Summary
    Raman spectroscopy provides the fingerprint to identify molecules. However, the weak signal is a technical barrier. To overcome this weakness, a graphene microsphere enhanced Raman spectroscopy (GMERS) technology has been developed in TCD. The GMERS delivers numerous advantages including a clean signal, stable response, intrinsic inertial reference, flexibility and "step-change" refreshable property, presenting a cutting-edge opportunity for highly sensitive and reliable quantitative analysis. This gives advantages over traditional surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates with much low cost. With multiple potential applications, the technology is capable of taking existing practices such as grab-sampling in the environmental sector, which is both labour and time intensive, and proposes replacing it with continuous detection and immediate identification of multiple trace elements under constant flow
    Funding Agency
    Enterprise Ireland
    Date From
    2019
    Date To
    2021
  • Title
    Improvement and application of microbial fuel cells
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    China Scholarship Council / School of Engineering
    Date From
    2015
    Date To
    2019
  • Title
    Investigation into the causes, impacts and measures to deal with algal blooms in Vartry Reservoirs (project PI)
    Summary
    Diatom algal blooms in water supply sources can cause many problems in the drinking water treatment process. Vartry Reservoir is an important drinking water source in Ireland. Diatom algal blooms have caused problems in the sand filters in the Roundwood water treatment plant since 2007 (except 2010). In 2013 and 2014, the situation worsened and serious spring diatom algal blooms occurred, with peak concentrations of diatom algal up to 1750 and 2457 counts/ml, respectively, resulting in serious clogging of the slow sand filters and a reduction in treatment capacity from 75 million litres to 40 million litres per day and consequently water shortages in the North Wicklow and South Dublin area two years in a row. In addition, diatom algal blooms might also contribute to the high THMs in the Vartry Water Supply Scheme. Therefore, the aim of the proposed study is to investigate the cause of the diatom algal blooms in Vartry Reservoir and to identify potential measures to deal with the impact of algal blooms in Roundwood water treatment plants. This proposed project is important not only for the Vartry Water Supply Scheme but also for water supplies nationwide, as more than 70 mesotrophic lakes are used as water supply sources in Ireland.
    Funding Agency
    EPA
    Date From
    2015
    Date To
    2018
  • Title
    Assessment of natural organic matter (NOM) and ptaquiloside in Irish waters
    Summary
    The aim of the proposed study is to quantify more accurately the risk of NOM including naturally-occurring (organic) toxins such as ptaquiloside from bracken to surface water and groundwater supplies in Ireland. This project will provide comprehensive knowledge on NOM and ptaquiloside in Irish waters. (Project PI, TCD/NUIG)
    Funding Agency
    EPA
    Date From
    03/2014
    Date To
    08/2017
  • Title
    The cause of diatom algal bloom in lakes
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    China Scholarship Council / School of Engineering
    Date From
    2016
    Date To
    2019
  • Title
    A framework for the restoration of degraded peatlands (WP leader)
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    EPA
    Date From
    2015
    Date To
    2018
  • Title
    Microplastic-free plastics
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    SFI
    Date From
    2021
    Date To
    2023
  • Title
    Technologies for monitoring, detecting and treating overflows from urban wastewater networks (project PI)
    Summary
    The aims of this proposal are to review and assess current and emerging techniques and equipment for CSO monitoring and treatment. It is relevant to the Research Theme 1: Safe Water of the EPA Water Research Pillar. This proposal is relevant to EU and National Policy in the context of the implementation of the urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and the Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2006/60/EC). The WFD (2000/60/EC) aims at preventing deterioration of water bodies, promoting sustainable water use, and ensuring "enhanced protection and improvement of the aquatic environment". This is both a national and international objective and one which needs underpinning research such as described in this proposal to support it.
    Funding Agency
    EPA
    Date From
    2015
    Date To
    2016
  • Title
    Development of a Water Use and Waste Management Framework for the Dairy Processing Industry
    Summary
    This project aims to identify effective and sustainable technologies, which will treat dairy waste and reduce water usage in the dairy processing sector. TCD research team will investigate the treatment of dairy wastewater by using nanotechnologies.(PI of the TCD project team, NUIG/UCC/TCD/AIT/Teagasc)
    Funding Agency
    Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    Date From
    2014
    Date To
    2019
  • Title
    Biomass and Renewable Energy from Short Rotation Forestry
    Summary
    This research project aims to explore the potential of short rotation forestry (SRF) to contribute to biomass production and renewable energy targets in Ireland. (PI of the TCD project team, UCD/Teagasc/WIT/TCD/UL/Coillte)
    Funding Agency
    Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    Date From
    2013
    Date To
    2018
  • Title
    Using nanotechnology to treat wastewater from offshore oil & gas industry - a feasibility study
    Summary
    The main objective of the project is to investigate the feasibility of employing nanomaterial to remove dissolved hydrocarbons and heavy metals from offshore oil/gas industrial wastewater in Ireland.(Project PI)
    Funding Agency
    The Irish Petroleum Infrastructure Programme (PIP)
    Date From
    2014
    Date To
    2015
  • Title
    Development of multipurpose microbial electrolysis system (MES) for in-situ enhancement of methane production and antibiotics degradation in anaerobic digesters
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    Irish Research Council
    Date From
    2019
    Date To
    2021
  • Title
    FORSITE Critical Biomass Removal on Irish Forest Soils
    Summary
    The recent European directive on the promotion of energy from renewable sources sets a mandatory target of 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. This need is driving bioenergy use from forests. However, concerns exist about the effects of brash removal on the sustainability of forest ecosystems. In this project, a new concept is introduced, of critical biomass removal, which is the quantitative amount of long-term biomass removal below which impacts to nutrient supply will not occur according to current knowledge. (PI of the TCD project team, UCD/TCD/UL/Teagasc/Coillte)
    Funding Agency
    Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    Date From
    2013
    Date To
    2017
  • Title
    Microbial Fuel Cells based system for pollutants removal, resources recovery and disinfection
    Summary
    The secondary treatment process in a conventional wastewater treatment plant usually involves aeration and sludge/flow return, therefore has high energy demand. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) technology has great advantages over the current technologies used in the secondary treatment process due to its potential for simultaneously harvesting electric energy and removing pollutants and its low sludge production rates. Though numerals attempts, MFCs technologies are still in the laboratory and pilot scales so far, due to the difficulty of scaling up the system to industrial level and the high cost of the cathodes. In this project, the applicants proposed a "Microbial Fuel Cells based wastewater treatment system for pollutants Removal, resources Recovery and Disinfection (MFCs-R2D)", which will overcome the above challenges. The system can be easily increased to large scale for small and medium wastewater treatment plants.
    Funding Agency
    Enterprise Ireland
    Date From
    2021
    Date To
    2024
  • Title
    E3 garden for Bloom 2019
    Summary
    To develop an E3 garden in Bloom Garden Festival 2019, by integrating the technologies with garden design, to demonstrate the great potential of E3 in sustainable development. The theme of our garden would be "E3, water, climate change & sustainable development". The Bloom Garden Festival (see bloominthepark.com) is Ireland's biggest garden and horticulture show. It provides showcase for garden plants, garden design, construction, horticulture and gardening and attracts over 120,000 visitors each year and a huge media interest. We will use the garden to highlight the technologies we developed in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. In this E3 garden, wastewater will be treated and re-used for gardening and farming, and electricity will be generated by using the wastewater to power the wastewater treatment system. It is expected that this garden will attract great attention as it not only promote sustainable development but also is relevant to public's daily life. In summer 2018 due to the long period of hot and dry weather, water restriction had been posted to the whole country and watering gardens was banned. It is expected such events will occur more frequently due to climate change. This E3 garden will provide solutions to deal with the water shortage.
    Funding Agency
    TCD Provost's Office
    Date From
    2019
    Date To
    2019
  • Title
    Microbial Fuel Cells technologies for urine glucose monitoring
    Summary
    In this proposal we will provide an automatic, convenient and near-zero maintenance required system for long-term continuous urine glucose level monitoring, which can facilitate detection of diabetes in an early stage. Our urine fuel cells (UFCs) system can be installed within the toilet or urinal bowl. Every time the user goes to the toilet, the UFCs will automatically detect the glucose level in urine and show it in a small screen. The data can be stored in the system and events uploaded to mobile phone or computer through a wifi network. If glucose is detected in the urine multiple times - it indicates the user may have diabetes - the system will remind the user to go to see the doctor for further diagnosis. This is a non-intrusive test and doesn't require the user to alter their habits. The success of the project will facilitate the treatment of diabetes in the world.
    Funding Agency
    TCD
    Date From
    2021
    Date To
    2025

Electrical engineering, Nanotechnology, Forestry sciences, Pollution and contamination, Hydrology,

Recognition

  • ESAI Undergraduate of the Year 2019/20 (Awardee: Thomas Robinson), Supervisor 2020
  • Silver Gilt Award (E3, water, climate change and sustainable development, Bloom 2019) 2019
  • Intel Bursary Awards 2020-21 (Awardee: Georgia Giannakopoulou), Supervisor 2021
  • Provost PhD Project Award 2019, TCD 2019
  • Best Presentation Award 2008
  • JSWE-IDEA International Invitation Award by " Japan Society on Water Environment 2023
  • MIEI, Chartered Engineer, Engineers Ireland