Project description
Underwater-printed 3D printed algae farms made of alternative materials as CO2 sinks
Seaweed could play an important role in sequestering CO2 to meet the EU’s new carbon sink target. Vertical underwater-printed algae farms made of alternative materials and with limited impact on the marine ecosystem could solve current cost and environmental seaweed farm problems. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the eSeaPrint project aims to investigate this potential. eSeaPrint will develop printing technology leveraging a newly developed in-line powder-fluid mixer. Innovative numerical simulation approaches linking experimental models with computational fluid dynamics simulations will enable investigation of the complex processing required. Life Cycle Assessment will investigate benefits along the entire value chain from ingredient production to waste management.
Objective
In March 2023, the EU Parliament adopted a new carbon sink target that raises climate ambition by increasing the EU's carbon sink capacity by 15% by 2030. Seaweed farming has huge potential to sequester carbon dioxide, but the current state of the art raises questions about the cost and environmental effectiveness of such a structure. A new alternative solution of vertical marine printed algae farms, made of an alternative material and with limited impact on the marine ecosystem, can solve these problems. The research plan, based on interdisciplinary aspects combining two approaches, consists of a three-scale study related to computational rheology, and of a two-scale investigation related to Life Cycle Assessment. The development of printing technology and a newly developed in-line powder-fluid mixer brings the possibility of less impactful material processing with an industrial mindset. To generalise such a complex processing issue raised by alternative binders and enable topology optimised design, novel numerical simulation approaches need to be developed to link experimental models with computational fluid dynamics simulations. Underwater 3D printing of such complex materials also raises very novel issues, closely related to the opening of cracks that compromises the aesthetics and durability of 3D printed materials. The goal of reducing the carbon footprint and the use of raw materials can be achieved through two strategies: the first is to reduce the amount of material for a given application thanks to the 3D printing of optimised structures, while the second is related to the Life Cycle Assessment of alternative materials and to give an overview of the benefits along the entire value chain of the seaweed farming structure during its service life, from ingredient production to waste management. This case study raises topical issues that still need to be addressed in terms of process simulation, structural design of complex structures and life cycle assessment.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2800 KONGENS LYNGBY
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.