Canada-Italy Innovation Award 2022 – UNIPO Magazine for UNIPO Editor

Giovanni ValdreProfessor Al Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences Alma Mater, Canada-Italy Innovation Award 2022 established From the Canadian Embassy in Italy. The award was received for a project involving the use of Autonomous submarine robots to recognize Nano and microplastics In oceans and seas.

The project – “Monitoring Marine Nano and Microplastics by Autonomous Underwater Vehicles” – was developed in collaboration with the Department of Marine and Naval Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Department of Applied Sciences. Memorial University of Newfoundlandin St. John’s, Canada.

“The innovative mechanisms developed with this project will allow Sampling and analysis of nano- and microplastics in oceans and seasAnd not only in surface water, but also to the entire depth of the water column,” he explains Valdre. “It’s also possible to create new tools We need to increase awareness about the effects of plastic Wildlife, Human Health and the Environment”.

The Canada-Italy Innovation Award provides development funding to members of the Italian innovation ecosystem – including innovators, researchers, scientists, start-ups or creative professionals. Collaborative projects with Canadian partners Areas where they drive An innovative, inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

In fact, the proposed scheme fits One of the measures aimed at addressing the global problem of plastic pollutionIn line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it aims to move towards a circular economy, keeping plastic in use as much as possible, maximizing and reducing its value, reusing, repairing, regenerating, recycling and composting plastic to generate energy at the end of its life.

Professor Valdre recently returned from his first science-technology trip to Memorial University in St. John’s. Autonomous submarine robots in development and relevant and specific model systems.