Marine plastic debris, such as microplastics and fishing nets, presents a significant problem, and sustainable methods for surveilling, capturing, and upcycling ocean-bound plastic waste are…
Active Cooperative Agreement Awarded Last action
- Award ID
- NA24OARX417C0413
- Recipient
-
University Of Southern California UEI G88KLJR3KYT5
- Awarding agency
-
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Commerce
- Obligated
- $2,774,517
Award facts
- Assistance listing
- 11.417 Sea Grant Support
- Completion date 72% complete
- Place of performance
- Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Award details come from USAspending.gov.
Description
- Activities
- We propose to transform ocean-sourced plastics into dyes to produce ECO-friendly fashion and into enzymes to produce environmentally friendly laundry detergents. We will develop methods that incorporate a large fermenter so that the technology can be translated to commercial partners on a pilot scale. This supports the biden administration's push to develop BIO manufacturing in the united states, EO 14081. Concurrent with our waste upcycling/remanufacturing effort, we will also develop a peptide-based solution to surveil marine microplastics: while the harmful effects of microplastics are becoming understood, foundational chemistry questions about which plastics are where and how these materials move through the water column are not yet addressed. By applying chemical evolution methods to the discovery of selective binders for microplastics, we will introduce a tool that will enable quantification and structural assignment of low levels of microplastic pollution from seawater samples. This will allow for the first studies of how polymer microstructure (e.g., polyethylene versus nylon versus pet, etc.) informs the distribution of the materials in the ocean. Such data will ultimately inform regulatory policymaking regarding the manufacture, use, and disposal of various plastic materials. To complete this work, we will examine social barriers to adopting such products in the marketplace and regulatory restrictions on plastic use and disposal. We will study consumer, business, and public perceptions, knowledge, and acceptance of emerging recapture and upcycling technologies for microplastics through research in consumer behavior, economics, and social psychology. We will also develop and test methods to familiarize public audiences with these technologies via an integrated educational outreach program.
- Expected outcomes
- We will address the goals of the marine debris challenge competition by 1. Developing an innovative plastic interception technology that prevents debris from entering the marine environment; 2. Introducing an innovative solution for recycling end-of-life fishing gear; and 3. Introducing a new method to detect microplastics, nanoplastics, and microfibers in the environment.
- Intended beneficiaries
- The beneficiaries will be US citizens affected by marine debris.
- Subrecipient activities
- There are no subrecipients in this application.
Transactions
| Action | Obligated | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment | $0 | |
| Amendment | $0 | |
| Amendment | $651,885 | |
| Amendment | $651,885 | |
| Amendment | $490,249 | |
| Amendment | $490,249 | |
| Original award | $490,249 |
Quick answers
Who received award NA24OARX417C0413?
NA24OARX417C0413 was awarded to University Of Southern California by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce) on September 1, 2024.
How much is award NA24OARX417C0413 worth?
$2,774,517 has been obligated on NA24OARX417C0413.
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