Our Inspiration
Leucon-class sea sponges are immobile invertebrates found both in coral reefs and at depths of 200 m from the surface. As these organisms are immobile and don't have organs like a heart or a stomach they have developed a water filtration system to feed and perform their basic physiological processes such as their breathing.
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This filtration system is made possible by a special and unique cell of the sponges called the coenocytes.
Coenocytes are special cells that have a collar to which the sediments stick, a flagella that moves independently to ensure a constant flow of water in one direction, and a selective cell membrane that only allows certain elements carried by the water, such as plankton, to enter.
Our Biotechnology
We created a solution that biomimics the cells of the sponges and their anatomy by abstracting the chambers and channels that are in the body of the sponges, as well as recreating the cells and their function in order to filter out harmful nanometric chemicals.
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This filtration in the cameras would be carried out by modifying the metabolic path of E. coli so that it can be able to filter and synthesize the chemicals and derivatives of benzophenone. But as we know this is a long experimental route this filtration system will be available soon.
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Meanwhile Inside the chambers are located at one end a group of flagella that ensure the flow of water in only one direction and at the bottom of the chamber is a membrane of nanoporous graphene built from carbon atoms (monotonic layer) arranged in a hexagonal way that by disconnecting some sections we can create nanoporous pores for the chemical filtration.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
This project brings a lot of benefits, it contributes to reduce the chemical substances like Benzophenone from the water, making marine life a little bit healthier. Furthermore, it generates more jobs opportunities for the communities. All of these benefits are related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially with the two goals explained below:
Sustained and inclusive economic growth can drive progress, create decent jobs for all and improve living standards.
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8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
Saving our ocean must remain a priority. Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet. Marine protected areas need to be effectively managed and well-resourced and regulations need to be put in place to reduce overfishing, marine pollution and ocean acidification.
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14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
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14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
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14.B Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.
Bioethics:
Our group Seaponji understands that every product has some impacts or consequences on the environment. So, we thought about what kind of impacts our Buoy can have in the sea:
Social:
Verify that the new use that is given to benzophenone, does not have negative consequences on humans.
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-Expand job opportunities for the community in the area.
Economic:
Make that the development and operation of the proposal do not affect other economic activities in the area such as fishing.
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-Consider the impact that the return of the chemical (benzophenone) may have on the initial production industry since the recycling, or second life process can be tedious for certain industries to use it.
Environmental:
That benzophenone returns to the marine ecosystem again either by the second use it is given or through a leak in the system or structure (biosecurity of the buoy).
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-Also, the use of recycled Peek in the construction, instead of a brand-new material, taking the opportunity of giving to the buoys that have finished their useful life a new proposal being part of the new ones.
Seaponji's Life Principles I
Adapt to changing conditions
Incorporate diversity: Animals have the ability to adapt to changing conditions. They survive thanks to their diversity and resilience to different situations, as, in this case, to the marine environment. Therefore, they can adapt to this filtering structure that brings benefits to the multiplicity of species present there.
Be locally attuned and responsive
Leverage Cyclic Processes: This structure is designed to trap a chemical that comes mainly from the cosmetic industry and reaches the oceans. The buoy filters and catches it, and then it is returned to this industry to get a new use.
Cultivate Cooperative Relationships: Around this project, alliances have been created with institutions and people interested in working around coral bleaching and who are also looking for solutions to this problem.
Benefits:
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The slow regeneration of the marine ecosystem.
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Increase of the biodiversity in the coral reefs, this can help to maintain the local economy balance. (fishing, tourists).
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Sustainability (our model of circle economy gives the chemicals collected from the buoy a second opportunity in the industry).
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Our artifact wide the job opportunities for the local community.