The overarching aim of the SeaChem DN project is to provide high-level training in the offshore cultivation and valorization of seaweed to a new generation of 10 high-achieving doctoral candidates (DC) and equipping them with the transferable and scientific skills necessary for thriving careers in the burgeoning area of non-land-based biomass cultivation and use. This international training program, encompassing 6 intersectoral partners (5 academic, 2 non-academic) in 4 countries, focuses on innovative technological developments across a range of interdisciplinary fields such as construction engineering, materials science, (micro-)biology, (bio-)chemical engineering, environmental biotechnology and machine learning. The success of SeaChem will be achieved by a unique combination of state-of-the-art doctoral research projects, intersectoral secondments, international mobility and unique interdisciplinary courses.

Research objectives

• Develop new, cost-effective and sustainable offshore aquaculture technologies to be integrated in pre-existing offshore infrastructure (e.g., windfarms, uncommissioned drilling rigs) in which the durability of integrated stainless-steel structures in the highly exposed marine environment will be assessed and monitored
• Develop future-proof advanced seaweed cultivation technologies by defining current and future optimal conditions for offshore seaweedaquaculture. Geo-mappingwillbeappliedtopinpointideallygeographicallocationsforoptimumseaweedgrowthandyield
• Develop cutting-edge sustainable extraction techniques by applying intensified chemical (microwave and ultrasound) and enzymatic
  processes capable of recovering a large spectrum of high-value compounds, to be further used in high-end applications

BMRS Role

BMRS will host DC 9 who will develop sustainable procedures for the extraction of bioactive compounds from seaweed without
generating biological waste.