The $20 Million Carbon X Prize Contest
For several years XPRIZES have been pushing the boundaries of human potential, encouraging brilliant minds to make breakthrough technologies and discoveries in genomics, space research, ocean health, climate change and more.
The first round of the $20 million NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE has now closed, having received a raft of fascinating submissions.
The global open innovation contest is a call to tackle the problem of climate change in new ways. A total of 47 teams of scientists submitted their ideas for how to turn carbon dioxide emissions into useful products, such as building materials, fish food and low-emission fuels.
The teams hail from seven different countries, including China, the United Kingdom and Germany with members coming from universities, startups, families, established companies and more.
Among the exciting submissions are a proposal to create carbon negative biofuel from microalgae feedstock and an idea to use carbon dioxide to make a concrete substitute.
The judging panel is now reviewing the submissions before announcing the semi-finalists in October.
In all, the four-and-a-half year open innovation competition has three rounds. Each one will be judged by nine scientists from business and academia. Up to five teams will move into the final round. They will be scored on how much carbon dioxide they convert and the net value of their products.
Dan Wicklum, chief executive of COSIA (Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance), said in a statement: “As a scientist, I know from experience that when you focus a challenge and incentivize smart people to think about how to address that challenge from different angles and different perspectives, good things happen.”
For more information, click here.
Reader Comments
Hi,
when is the third round. I would like to participate
Posted by Henry Mulima on August 3, 2016
We are located in Calgary Alberta 403 630 4885.
Posted by John nowak on August 3, 2016
We have a world wide patent registered ( 137 countries) relating to a zero (toxic) emission flares stack technology . Would this technology qualify as a submission for any technology prizes ?
Posted by John nowak on August 3, 2016
I would have applied, except that the patent system virtually guarantees that any inventions disclosed will be rendered public domain, therefore all rights lost, unless the inventor has better part of a million dollars.
If you could consider submissions confidentially, I would consider to enter.
Or, if you could work to help inventors get a 'just' patent system - one that does does not destroy inventors IP. The current patent system leaves a horrible trail of destruction.
I, personally, would love to be bottling sunshine.
Posted by Stuart Saunders on August 3, 2016
Add your Comment
[LOGIN FIRST] if you're already a member.fields are required.