Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Design

Project:

Al-grow is developing indoor algal farms using photobioreactors to help industries meet carbon emission goals and tackle the global warming crisis.

The innovation uses a space-efficient system of stacked horizontal tubes containing Chlorella vulgaris algae, which absorbs carbon 400 times more effectively than trees. The indoor, controlled environment optimises algae growth and requires less land than outdoor systems.

The company sells carbon credits through voluntary carbon markets to industries struggling with sustainability targets, particularly steel manufacturers and transport companies using heavy goods vehicles. This solution addresses the challenge faced by polluting industries that can't quickly modernize their infrastructure. The system aims to capture 445,000 tonnes of carbon pollutants annually while generating additional revenue through algae by-products like dyes, protein, and 3D printing materials.

Project:

IMERS is an Internet of Things based water quality monitoring system that revolutionises water contamination detection through modular sensors measuring phosphates, nitrates, and turbidity in real-time. Using LoRaWAN technology, data is transmitted to a secure cloud platform for analysis.

Unlike traditional manual, sporadic testing methods, IMERS provides continuous automated monitoring with AI-driven insights through customisable dashboards. The modular design allows users to select specific sensors based on their needs while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

The solution serves regulatory bodies, water utilities, and government agencies, helping ensure compliance and protect ecosystems. Features like real-time alerts, heatmaps, and trend visualisation enable proactive intervention before environmental damage occurs.

Project:

ENKI is an innovative underwater device that addresses the critical problem of invasive lionfish devastating Florida's marine ecosystems. These aggressive predators consume native fish species, damage coral reefs, and reproduce at alarming rates - with females laying up to 45,000 eggs daily - causing significant ecological and economic harm to Florida's waters.

The solution is an AI-powered system that can be deployed from boats, using cameras and computer vision to automatically detect lionfish before eliminating them with a precise laser system. This approach offers significant advantages over traditional spearfishing methods, being safer (avoiding contact with venomous lionfish), more efficient, and able to access hard-to-reach areas. Developed primarily for Florida Fish & Wildlife, with potential expansion to other conservation agencies and fisheries, ENKI aims to restore marine ecosystem balance through automated, targeted removal of this invasive species.