The three year project has been commissioned with GBP1.2 million in funding from Yorkshire Water, Scotoil Services, OpTIC TEchnium and the UK government Department of Trade and Industry as was awarded as part of the Micro and Nanotechnology Manufacturing Initiative.

Scotoil is looking at using the technology in its oil industry environmental management programs whilst Yorkshire water is examining its possibilities within the water supply industry.

The solar-powered technology aims to remove pollutants from water and produce electricity that can be used to power ancillary devices such as pumps and valve controllers.

“The photoelectrocatalytic fuel cell is environmentally-friendly technology aimed at cleaning up pollutants found in the water supply,” said head researcher Donald Macphee.

"The technology at the centre of the project is a catalyst, which under illumination by visible light is capable of breaking up complex pollutants into harmless products whilst simultaneously producing an electric current.”