Since our last post, we made a big decision: we pivoted from our microplastics project to something new. Initially, we explored the idea of converting microplastics into agricultural pesticides, inspired by an existing study. While our idea received a lot of positive feedback, the team at CERN challenged us with important questions about its feasibility – especially the impact on fish and the complexities of applying it to a dynamic water system like the Hudson River. That feedback made us rethink our direction, and after revisiting our previous research, we ultimately decided to pivot to “Fishy Go Around.”
Why “Fishy Go Around”?
For those who missed our last post, “Fishy Go Around” is all about using CERNbot technology to increase water movement in New York City’s Central Park ponds, ultimately helping to reduce harmful algal blooms (HABs). While the shift from microplastics to HABs was quick, it wasn’t easy. We had already invested significant time into the first idea, so starting from scratch was tough. But with guidance from Professor Andreea and Lauren, along with a deep dive into research papers, we found our footing.
Understanding Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
We started by looking at the history of HABs, how they affect ecosystems, and their current state in New York City. HABs have been a growing concern, with cases of toxic algae harming aquatic life, pets, and even humans. According to recent studies, these blooms thrive due to excess nutrients in water, rising temperatures, and stagnant water conditions. While existing treatments focus on reducing bloom density, we found that there are fewer solutions aimed at preventing their growth in the first place.
Governmental Policies and Schemes
To understand the real-world feasibility of our idea, we explored government policies around HABs. We found that New York State has some funding and prevention programs in place, but most efforts are focused on reactionary measures rather than long-term solutions. This gap in proactive intervention opened up a space for us to innovate.
Thinking Beyond the Present: 2050 Future Scenarios
To truly push our creativity, we applied the 2050 Future Scenario and STEEPLE framework. This helped us imagine a world where our solution could make a real impact. We chose the Human Inc. scenario – where society flourishes, but at the cost of environmental degradation. This vision forced us to consider not just how HABs affect us today, but how they might evolve in a resource-stretched future.
Some key factors in our scenario:
- Digital and physical realities merge, reshaping relationships, work, and identity.
- Global AI regulations create tensions between hyper-surveillance states and privacy-focused societies.
- Renewable energy breakthroughs lead to self-sustaining cities, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The Growing Threat of HABs in 2050
- Widespread Aquatic Ecosystem Degradation: HABs disrupt aquatic ecosystems, leading to mass fish kills, loss of biodiversity, and the collapse of marine food chains.
- Threat to Water-Based Renewable Energy: HABs clog water intake systems for hydroelectric plants and other water-based energy solutions, affecting energy production.
- Air Quality and Health Impacts: Toxic algae blooms release harmful toxins into the air, affecting air quality and causing respiratory issues in nearby communities.
- Climate Feedback Loops: HABs contribute to the release of greenhouse gases like methane, exacerbating global warming and creating a vicious cycle of environmental degradation.
“Imagine a world in 2050 where HABs are no longer just an environmental issue but a global crisis—intensified by climate change, disrupting food systems, and challenging our technological solutions to keep water safe.”
Tech + Nature: Finding Our Solution
We reviewed emerging technologies and stakeholder interests, especially in the context of New York City. Our main stakeholders? Pet owners, park visitors, and city officials—all of whom are directly affected by HABs in public waters. We explored potential tech solutions, including:
- CERNbot: Mimicking fish swimming patterns to create water movement and disrupt stagnant conditions.
- EchoFlo Ultrasonic Depth Sensor: Monitoring water quality with real-time data.
- CERN Long-Distance Laser: Targeting dense algal clusters and breaking down HAB cells with calibrated laser pulses.
By integrating AI with advanced environmental tech, we envisioned a system that could proactively manage water quality – keeping ecosystems healthy for future generations.
A Major Challenge (and a Game-Changing Insight)
As we continued refining our idea, we hit a major roadblock: our initial goal was to break down HAB cells. But research showed that destroying these cells actually releases more toxins, further polluting the ecosystem. Clearly, we needed a new approach.
Then, we stumbled upon a fascinating study by Xinghua Meng et al. – which suggested that HABs could be repurposed into high-performance electrodes for sodium-ion batteries! This “trash-to-treasure” concept excited us. We also explored using Modified Local Soil (MLS) – a method where chemically enhanced soil is introduced into affected waters, binding with algae and nutrients, sinking them safely into sediments to prevent blooms from intensifying.
Where We Are Today
Right now, our system is shaping up to be a combination of:
- Trapping excess nutrients and repurposing them back into soil.
- Using specialized clay to absorb HABs and prevent toxin release.
- Leveraging AI and CERN technology to monitor and control algal growth in real time.
Next Step
We will finalize core features based on systems thinking and behavior change insights while refining prototypes with user feedback. Emerging technology trends will be explored to enhance feasibility and scalability. Ethical and environmental implications will be assessed using responsible innovation principles. Key challenges will be identified, with strategies developed for the next design phase.
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