My team and I are curently working on a project is focused on preventing microplastics and collecting plastic particles up to 2 * 2mm. Our biggest concern is harming sea life and destroying plankton. I hope if you could advise us in which direction to go in our research. Is there a possibility that the filter / mesh and microplastic can be transformed by a biochemical process into something that would not harm sealife?
The sea bin is developed for macroplastics
https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/telegraph/seabin-project-trapping-floating-plastics-in-port/
For microplastics, the challenges will be more but worth the pursuit.
e.g.
https://www.springwise.com/sustainability-innovation/cloud-of-sea-micro-plastics-pollution
Mauro Luisetto thank you! We are looking for some chemical proces, but since most of it has bisphenol A (which is by itself very harmfull), we are doubting those option. I came across ferofluids, but couldnt find many info :/ Is there maybe some material which was magnetic or chemical attraction to plastic particles?
M. Y. Shukor Thank you for links! All those projects are great, but doesnt it harm sea life and planktons? Microplastics are particles smaller than 5*5mm and most of important sea life is same size or smaller. Should we go with the theory of greater good and forget about those?
We are trying to make robot for primary personal use, so everyone can help! It is always challenging but definitely worth it.
Karla Mihić You are right, the sieving action will also collect and destroy micrometer size organisms. The robot can be solar-powered and drift for years collecting microplastics. It may have a sieving mechanism that selectively captures microplastics.
M. Y. Shukor thank you very much for your help! We will try to find some mechanism to separate plastic from sea life :)
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