Tapping-into-Nature-2015p

APPENDIXDESCRIPTIONS FOR MARKET READINESS INFOGRAPHICProductDescriptionCARBONProtein-MediatedCalcite CeramicsBiomimetic Water-Splitting CatalystLeaf-MimickingArtificialPhotosynthesisPhotosyntheticFoamEnzymatic ToxinRemediationBlue Planet CementBioWorld Oil SpillBioremediationConverge ® PolyolsWATERCactus-Inspired FogHarvestingSome organisms control calcite deposition to build complex structures like eggs--a processthat could inspire precise ceramic manufacturing techniques.Terrapin assisted Dr. Dinolfo at RPI in securing funds for research that evaluates the rateand efficacy of an inexpensive catalyst. The catalyst mimics the water-splitting complex inplants and is used in artificialphotosynthetic devices, zinc-air batteries, and other oxidationdependentsystems.Dr. Wan at RIT is developing a leaf-mimicking microfluidic device to convert CO 2into valuablechemical products like methane and methanol. Terrapin helped secure funding for thisproject.Inspired by the tungara frog, which produces long-lasting foam nests, engineers at theUniversity of Cincinnati developed a stable foam from one of the frog’s proteins andcombined it with photosynthetic enzymes that convert CO 2to sugars and oxygen.Scientists at Georgia Tech patented the use of biological enzymes that break down harmfulcarbon compounds into valuable chemicals.California-based Blue Planet synthesizes cement additives from waste carbon flue streamsto make carbon-negative concrete. Terrapin is working with Blue Planet to identify potentialdemonstration sites in New York State.Headquartered in California, BioWorld sells mixes of specialized bacteria that break downhydrocarbons into less harmful chemicals. These products are authorized by the EPA foruse on oil spills.Novomer took inspiration from photosynthetic organisms and developed a process thatsequesters carbon by converting waste CO 2and CO into useful chemical polyerms.The spines of the cactus Opuntia microdasys have specialized structures that can collectand funnel fog droplets into its base, prompting interest in fog harvesting devices that mimicthe spines’ structures.Termite HumidityDamping DeviceIn collaboration with Terrapin Bright Green, Dr. Rupert Soar and Dr. Scott Turner aredeveloping a passive humidity damping device based on the fungal combs in termitemounds. The device will stabilize humidity in building spaces, reducing a building’s energydemands.Fog HarvestingMeshResearchers at MIT and Pontifical Catholic University of Chile have designed specialized fogmesh nets that condense and capture 10% of the water in fog, a strategy inspired by howsome Chilean organisms collect water from fog.34Tapping into Nature