ReefCycle’s Post

I was thrilled to represent Pratt Institute with President Frances Bronet and Dean of the School of Design Anita Cooney at Nasdaq Exchange this morning! We were honored to ring the opening bell with innovators, investors, and changemakers focused on creating an abundant future for our planet to kick off Climate Week NYC! Check out the great student and alumni work on display too. #Nasdaq #NasdaqExchange #NYCW #ClimateWeek

Design Climate traveled to Carteret Community College and the NC coast last week for a community stakeholder roundtable focused on coastal sustainability, living shorelines, and resilience. This year, we are scaling three technologies with co-designers Brian Silliman, David Johnston, and Mary Lempres to protect coastal communities. And the input we received from community members we met with will be invaluable to these efforts. We sincerely thank Gena Renfrow, CPC, Lindsey Burton, Matthew Zapp, Jessie Ogden, Morgan Smith, Michele Querry, Rachel Bisesi, Scott Leahy, Maggie Brown, and many more for an interactive and informative session.

We’re excited to announce the finalists for our 2024 Global Challenges! From this pool of 68, we will select 30 solutions to join our 2024 Solver Class and pitch their solutions live at Solve Challenge Finals on September 23 in New York City. Meet the finalists https://hubs.li/Q02JBxHw0

The Biomimicry Institute is proud to introduce the 2024 Ray of Hope Accelerator Cohort—the top 10 nature-inspired startups working to solve crucial environmental and social problems! “This year we have an incredibly diverse group of startups that reflect the Biomimicry Institute’s new disruptive and global strategy. The impact that their nature-inspired technologies can have on Climate Change and Biodiversity loss across key industry sectors, is enormous,” said Amanda Sturgeon, FAIA, CEO at the Biomimicry Institute. ⚡AZUL Energy Inc., Japan: Creates clean catalysts for energy storage inspired by hemoglobin. ⛏ Brokkr Mineral Resources Corp., Canada: Harnesses electrogenic bacteria to source low-cost, high- quality nickel and cobalt. 📦 Cellulotech, Canada: Impartes a superhydrophobic lotus effect on cellulosic products like paper, via green chemistry. 🧵Fiberly, France/Argentina: Turns cellulosic textile waste into high-quality fibers featuring a molecular structure similar to cotton. 🐌 Gel Matter Co., USA: Develops novel hydrogels that mimic natural mucus, with functions like lubrication, adhesion and protection. 🪸ReefCycle, USA: Grows unique bio-cement from a biomineralizing plant enzyme. 🩹SanaHeal, Inc., USA: Creates wet binding bioadhesives inspired by barnacles and spider webs. 🪲Scentian Bio, New Zealand: Builds a disruptive sensor platform that emulates insects' olfactory sense. 🎨Soarce, USA: Transforms seaweed waste into high performing and low impact chemistries, via a novel refinery process. 🔋Tuebor Energy, USA: Develops next generation battery components inspired by cartilage nanostructure. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/dt2pdAr5 Special thanks to the Ray C. Anderson Foundation for their continued support of the Ray of Hope Accelerator Program https://lnkd.in/dSGg3q-M #biomimicry #rayofhopeaccelerator #startups #natureinspired

Today, after water, cement is the most used material on earth, representing over 8% of global carbon emissions. Thus, decarbonizing its production is crucial for climate resilient construction. Nature has the incredible ability to grow intricate and durable material, like shells and coral, without polluting its surrounding environment. Inspired by the growth of oyster reefs along the New York City coastline, designer Mary Lempres has developed a cement-like material that can be grown locally, in just 3 days, without burning fossil fuels or depleting natural resources. Reef Rocket is designed to mimic naturally occurring oyster reefs with the associated environmental benefits. It enables in-situ growth of natural reef structures into molds, which can be implemented along coastline to restore crucial natural systems that benefit both humans and ecology, including mitigating storm surges, reducing erosion, improving water quality, and promoting biodiversity. This paves the way for a future where hard and durable material can be grown like a crop, regenerating waste rather than polluting our environment. Come and learn about Reef Rocket and how other visionaries are using #biobased and #bioregenerative materials and practices to combat the effects of anthropogenic climate change at our Bio Spaces exhibition. Open now at Roca London Gallery . Ignacio Urbina Polo Ahmed Miftah, PhD Helio Takai Billion Oyster Project Pratt Institute #reefrocket #SustainableDesign #BioCement #Innovation #ClimateAction #naturebaseddesign #biospaces