Dubai, December 2, 2023 - The Prototype for Humanity 2023 event, held in Dubai from November 28 to 30, showcased a variety of projects led by undergraduate and graduate students from around the world. The primary goal of the event was to identify and support 100 breakthrough ideas that can address the world's most pressing challenges. Among the innovative concepts spotlighted were synthetic yeast, an injectable tailored to optimize emergency disaster relief, the conversion of invasive weeds into eco-friendly plastics, satellite surveillance for disaster prevention, and the application of artificial intelligence in the fight against corruption. These transformative ideas will be presented at COP28 this weekend.
A grand prize fund of $100,000 will be shared among the five winners in the following categories, reflecting the key themes of COP28
- Energy, Efficiency and Waste
- Nature, food and water systems
- Health, Relief and Security
- Education, Equality and Communities
- Data Science and AI-based Solutions
These winners were selected from more than 3,000 submissions from 710 universities in 108 countries - including Yale, Stanford, Oxford, Princeton, Berkeley, MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, and UCL.
Winners:
The Golden Capsule (Hongik University, South Korea)
One of the remarkable projects was "The Golden Capsule," a creation by students from Hongik University South Korea. This innovative medicine-injection device, optimized for deployment by emergency rescuers in disaster scenarios, claimed its position as the winner in the Health, Relief, and Safety category. The Golden Capsule utilizes elastic force and air pressure, eliminating the reliance on electricity or manual effort, while ensuring a consistent administration of medicine for up to an hour.
This recognition at COP28 not only underscores the dedication of these students to tackling critical challenges in emergency response but also aligns with the broader theme of health and safety prevalent at the event.
Energy, Efficiency, and Waste: Synthetic Yeasts for Biotechnology (Princeton University, USA)
The Synthetic Yeasts for Biotechnology project is centered on creating a synthetic version of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for superior chemical production.
Engineered microorganisms have the potential to revolutionize renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing, producing a new generation of fuels, commodity chemicals, agrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and food products.
Data Sciences & AI-Enabled Solutions: Digital Twins 4 Tailings Dams (University of Oxford, UK)
Digital Twins 4 Tailings Dams is a satellite-based early warning system to monitor and prevent environmental disasters in mining facilities, specifically the tailings storage facilities (TSFs).
The World Bank highlights a need for 3 billion tons of metals for the energy transition, intensifying challenges for the mining sector. Remarkably, over 98% of materials like copper end up as waste, stored in TSFs. With over 30,000 TSFs globally, a quarter are abandoned and unmonitored.
By integrating geotechnical engineering, satellite remote sensing, and machine learning, Digital Twins 4 Tailings Dams aspire to establish a Digital Twin system to monitor these critical infrastructures.
Nature, Food, and Water Systems: HyaPak (Egerton University, Kenya)
HyaPak converts the invasive weed, water hyacinth, into biodegradable plastic alternatives. Nairobi produces 480 tons of plastic waste daily – only recycling 45% - while water hyacinth wreaks havoc in over 70 countries, blocking waterways and causing significant economic loss.
HyaPak's innovative solution uses this weed to create products like biodegradable seedling wrappers, which decompose in six months. This approach addresses both environmental challenges simultaneously.
Education, Equality, and Communities: Kapak (San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador)
Kapak, a software application from San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador, leverages data science and AI to combat corruption in the public procurement system, fostering transparency and accountability.
Insights from Prototypes for Humanity:
Prototypes for Humanity, an initiative spearheaded by the Art Dubai Group, emerges as a beacon for academic talent and innovation committed to addressing global challenges. With the steadfast support of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and a lead partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation, the initiative aspires to channel the collective power of academia, private sectors, and public sectors towards creating impactful real-world solutions.
