Archive for category: Uncategorized

374Water’s SCWO technology is now a net positive energy producer. This is what ChatGPT had to say about water. BiOceanOr raise €2M for water quality forecasting and Hooked Foods raised €644K for vegan seafood. About half of US tap water is contaminated with PFAS. Thames Water has accumulated £14M in debt. Oceans are changing color and it’s affecting life within it. EPA announces a new framework to regulate PFAS. Heat in 2024 will leap to a whole other level. ‘Underground climate change’ is threatening buildings. This week, we are highlighting Guillaume Féry, one of HydroDAO’s key advisors. Learn about his impressive background and why he is passionate about water.

Your weekly Bonus – We could be harvesting water from space in the future.

This week’s quote:

Water is our teacher reminding us to flow with grace and adapt to change

What’s New with Our Portfolio Companies?

CORRECTING AND REPLACING: 374Water’s AirSCWO Technology Becomes Net Positive Energy Producer 

Offering proprietary technology and design, the HEC-Prime was developed in partnership with Swedish-based energy company Maston Group, exclusively for 374Water.

What’s New with Water Innovations?

3 WATER QUESTIONS WE ASKED CHATGPT – RATE THE RESPONSES

What can the AI chatbot do for water? We asked it three questions covering communicating water reuse projects, investing in start-ups and meeting 2023 corporate water positive goals.

BiOceanOr raises €2 million

BiOceanOr, a startup that has developed water quality forecasting services has raised €2 million in its latest funding round.

Hooked Foods Raises €644,000 in Crowdfunding Campaign

Swedish vegan seafood startup Hooked Foods, has raised more than one million Swedish Kroner.

Researchers develop cheaper, more robust electrodialysis method 

A recent study explores using polymers with redox properties to replace ion-exchange membranes.

What’s New in the Industry?

USGS study estimates 45% of U.S. tap water contains PFAS 

According to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), at least 45 percent of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more types of PFAS “present” in its system.

Rising Inflation Means British Water Companies Are Leaking Money 

Thames Water’s £14 billion debt crunch highlights issues facing wider sector.

Japan will soon release radioactive water. How worried should we be?

The environment minister declared in 2019 there were “no other options” as space runs out.

EPA announces framework to regulate new commercial PFAS uses 

The EPA wants to prevent harmful PFAS while allowing new critical or safe uses of PFAS.

What’s New in the Science?

Our Oceans Are Changing Color, And It Could Affect How Life Within It Thrives 

Analyzing two decades of satellite imagery, researchers from the US and UK have found Earth’s oceans are getting greener, potentially reflecting the impact climate change is having on phytoplankton populations as the world warms.

‘Underground Climate Change’ Threatens to Destabilize Buildings

The earth beneath our major cities is heating up, morphing in ways that could damage buildings and transport systems.

Heat in 2024 Will Probably Leap to a Whole New Level, Expert Warns

The highest temperatures have been recorded with the largest sea surface temperature anomaly.

‘THE BEVERAGE INDUSTRY MUST DETOXIFY ITS SUPPLY CHAIN’

The report came out in late May as a collaboration between Defend Our Health and Bloomberg.

Our HydroDAO Advisor: Guillaume Féry

Guillaume is a WASH engineer and cleantech expert passionate about international development projects, with over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of technology deployment and water management. His focus is on SDGs 6, 7, 9 and 11.

After spending ten years in water operations, he became a technology expert in data analytics, digital innovation and emerging technologies for the water sector. He has experience with utility giants (Suez, Veolia, Thames Water) and global consultancies (PWC, IBM, Accenture). Today, he provides his expertise to international development institutions (ADB, World Bank, AFD, IADB) focusing on water security, urban resilience and climate change adaptation through innovation. He is also an expert for the Solar Impulse Foundation in the “Efficient Solutions” label initiative, which aim is to highlight emerging cleantech solutions. Guillaume is passionate about finding new ways to address water and sanitation challenges and accelerating action to achieve SDG6, working with stakeholders, including startup incubators and academic institutions. He firmly believes that innovation and climate action is not a slogan but a process with substance. His motto: “Do or don’t, there is no try” – Yoda.

Thank you Guillaume for your leadership and passion for improving water access, sanitation and hygiene and for your support to our HydroDAO community.

What’s in the Future?

‘Hundred times’ more probability of finding water on exoplanets, says new study

Rutgers University scientists believe there might be many more Earth-like exoplanets with liquid water.

See pictures from the imploded Titan submarine’s wreckage. Groundwater extraction is causing the Earth’s rotational pole to drift. 3M reaches a $10.3B settlement over PFAS contamination. 374Water is joining the Russell 3000, congrats! NASA can now recycle 98 percent of urine and sweat into drinking water. Britain’s nuclear transport solutions set to become greener with AI-powered sails. The largest hydro-solar power plant unveiled in China. N-Drip raised a $44M Series C round. This week, we are highlighting Seth Siegel, one of HydroDAO’s key advisors. Learn about his impressive background and why he is passionate about water.

Your weekly Bonus –  Here is what 30 years of rising seas looks like.

This week’s quote:

Water is a symbol of renewal, inviting us to let go of the past and embrace new beginnings.

Titanic Expedition: Latest Updates

Imploded Titanic submarine seen for first time as pieces recovered from sea floor

The Titan’s wreckage was seen for the first time in pictures taken on Wednesday, more than a week after it imploded in the depths of the Atlantic.

Member Update from Ian Abbott-Donnelly

The water pivot: transforming unsustainable consumption to valuing water as a resource for life 

Ian’s paper presents theories on methods to pivot from linear, extractive uses of water to considering water as a high value, circular resource.

What’s New with Our Portfolio Companies?

374Water set to join Russell 3000(R) Index, Another Milestone Achievement for Sustainable Innovation 

This significant milestone underscores the company’s decade-long journey from its academic beginnings as a Duke University impact project to its current position as a trailblazer in the field of waste treatment and innovation.

What’s New with Water Innovations?

NASA successfully recycles 98 percent of urine and sweat into drinking water on the ISS 

NASA demonstrated a 98 percent water recyclability rate on the ISS for all wastewater, including sweat and pee.

Britain’s Nuclear Transport Solutions looks to go greener with AI-powered sails

The system is currently undergoing land tests scheduled to run till 2025.

World’s largest hydro-solar power plant enters full operation in China 

The power station in Sichuan can save over 600,000 tons of standard coal annually.

Project Neptune: This 450-feet superyacht is all luxury and no emissions 

Billionaires would snap this up as soon as they are built. But when will that be?

What’s New in the Industry?

3M reaches $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of water systems with ‘forever chemicals’

The deal would compensate water providers for pollution with per- and polyfluorinated substances, known collectively as PFAS.

Hyfé raises $9m to transform wastewater into next gen feedstocks 

The capital will advance commercial partnerships, increase headcount, and allow pilot demonstration.

AgTech startup N-Drip announces $44 million Series C for irrigation innovation 

The company’s irrigation system helps farmers irrigate more precisely and efficiently.

bNovate raises CHF 12 million to enhance global water safety 

The round was led by Emerald Technology Ventures, a pioneer in the cleantech venture capital field.

What’s New in the Science?

Groundwater extraction linked to drift in Earth’s rotational pole

The Earth’s tilt drifted by around 31.5 inches (80 cm) east between 1993 and 2010.

This salty gel could harvest water from desert air

A new material developed by MIT engineers exhibits “record-breaking” vapor absorption.

Earth’s water is actually a natural byproduct of the planet’s fast formation

This challenges our fundamental understanding of planet formation.

New nanomaterial can harvest hydrogen from water using light 

An international team of scientists has developed a new nanomaterial that can produce hydrogen from fresh or salt water using sunlight.

Our HydroDAO Advisor: Seth Siegel

Seth M. Siegel is a serial entrepreneur, lawyer, water activist and a New York Times bestselling author, recognized for his thought leadership and advocacy on water scarcity and quality.

Seth is the author of the award-winning, international bestseller Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World, which is available in more than 50 countries and 24 foreign-languages. The book has won praise from Tony Blair, Michael Bloomberg and Nobel Laureate Shimon Peres.

He is also the author of Troubled Water: What’s Wrong with What We Drink, a critical look at America’s drinking water, and Other People’s Words: Wisdom for an Inspired and Productive Life, a motivational book that reflects a lifetime of Seth collecting inspirational quotations.

Seth is a Senior Fellow at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Water Policy and his commentary has appeared in leading publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. He is the Chief Sustainability Officer at N-Drip, an Israeli AgTech startup. Seth is an active speaker advising on global policy issues to audiences around the world, including in Congress, the United Nations and Google’s headquarters. 

Thank you Seth for your leadership and passion in teaching the world about water’s importance and for your support to our HydroDAO community.

What’s in the Future?

NASA Shows What 30 Years of Rising Seas Feels Like in Chilling New Animation 

NASA has released a chilling animation showing just how far sea levels have risen in the three short decades its satellites have been monitoring them.

You can now book the first-ever all-electric commercial flight with SAS. A desalination startup from UCLA just struck a deal with Boeing. First steps have been agreed on plastics treaty after Paris talks. Top US chemical firms to pay $1.2B in settlement for PFAS contamination. Water vs. Wastewater, do you know the difference? Microplastics have been found in every sample of water taken during the Ocean race. Iraq’s oil bloom is blamed for worsening the water crisis. This week, we are highlighting Karen Frost, one of HydroDAO’s key advisors. Learn about her impressive background and why she is passionate about water.

Your weekly Bonus – The Arctic may be ice-less in Summer in just 10 years.

This week’s quote:

Water is the most perfect traveler, for as it travels it becomes the path itself

What’s New with Water Innovations?

SAS starts taking bookings for its first ever all-electric flight 

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) started taking bookings for its first-ever commercial flights on electricity-powered planes set to take flight in 2028.

This startup is zapping seawater to tackle climate change

The startup spun off from UCLA last week and already has a deal with Boeing.

True Elements Partners with AWS Marketplace 

True Elements announced its state-of-the-art water intelligence SaaS on AWS.

Syracuse Water saves costs with ultrasonic technology 

How ultrasonic technology cut down on copper sulfate costs for algae mitigation.

What’s New in the Industry?

First steps agreed on plastics treaty after breakthrough at Paris talks 

Delegates from 180 nations set out pathway to binding global agreement on tackling plastic pollution as soon as 2025.

Maryland files lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers for contamination 

Two lawsuits from the state seek to recover damages from PFAS contamination.

Top US chemical firms to pay $1.2bn to settle water contamination lawsuits

Dupont, Chemours and Corteva agree on deal and 3M considering $10bn settlement.

These Companies Kept Silent About ‘Forever Chemicals’ For Decades 

For at least 21 years, DuPont and 3M sat on some seriously concerning results.

What’s New in the Science?

Microplastics found in every sample of water taken during the Ocean Race

Concentrations of plastics in round-the-world race through remote ocean environments found to be up to 18 times higher than during previous event in 2017-18.

IPCC study shows the Arctic Ocean to become ice-free by 2030s 

A study forecasts the Arctic Ocean to become ice-free near mid-century in September.

Iraq’s oil boom blamed for worsening water crisis in drought-hit south

Pollution from gas flaring is also a major concern in the oil-rich but extremely dry south.

Water Vs. Wastewater: Do You Know The Difference? 

The Struggle Is Real In Minnesota Where The Cost Of Cleaning Up PFAS In Wastewater Could Be Billions. Plus: A Scientist With A Solution.

Our HydroDAO Advisor: Karen Frost

Karen is responsible for economic development activities and the suite of global innovation programs for The Water Council. She leads the organization’s international efforts and works closely with their European representative to serve partners and companies in Europe and beyond. 

She is an experienced connector and strong relationship builder and collaborator with the water tech and startup community. Karen also led The Water Council’s five-year engagement with the SBA’s regional innovation cluster program.

Thank you Karen for your leadership and passion for driving water innovations and for your support to our HydroDAO community.

What’s in the Future?

Summer Sea Ice May Vanish From The Arctic in Just 10 Years, Scientists Warn

A lone polar bear, marooned on a shrinking slab of sea ice, has become a heart-wrenching poster child for the effects of climate change in the Arctic.

BMW unveils ‘The Icon’ electric hydrofoil at Cannes Film Festival. A new innovative powder uses sunlight to purify water. Gradiant becomes the latest Water Tech unicorn after receiving $225M. More about why VCs are betting on Water Tech. Waterplan gets $11M in a Series A. The Feds invest $2.8B to improve recreation on public lands. Scientists find bacteria and fungi capable of breaking down plastics. Water vapors have been detected in space. This week, we are highlighting Justin Bzdek, one of HydroDAO’s key advisors. Learn about his impressive background and why he is passionate about water.

Your weekly Bonus – 2 billion people to face potentially deadly heat by 2100.

This week’s quote:

Water is the mirror that shows us what we often cannot see

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What’s New with Water Innovations?

BMW to unveil ‘The Icon’ electric hydrofoil at Cannes Film Festival

The distinctive concept was developed in collaboration with German boat builder TYDE and Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

Modified NASA space tech provides sustainable batteries that last 30 years

It “lasts more than three times as long” as lithium-ion, according to EnerVenue CEO Jorg.

Unique ‘aerial-aquatic hybrid drone’ could aid in search-and-rescue operations

The new amphibious drone has a light design and weighs just 1.63 kilograms.

This new water purification powder uses sunlight to clean water 

The powder uses sunlight to kill bacteria in water. This could be a life-changing invention.

What’s New in the Industry?

Investors Pour $225M Into Water Tech Unicorn Gradiant 

BoltRock Holdings and Centaurus Capital led the round for Boston-based Gradiant, which is now valued at $1 billion.

Making Waves: Why Venture Capitalists are betting on water technologies

Water Tech has always been slow, the “move fast and break things” mantra doesn’t necessarily apply.

Waterplan Announces $11 Million in Series A Financing Round

Danone, ABInBev, AWS, Colgate, Kurita and more to conserve freshwater supplies and save billions of at-risk dollars.

Feds Invest $2.8B to Improve Recreation on Public Lands

New funding to improve infrastructure, recreation facilities, public lands access and land and water conservation.

What’s New in the Science?

Scientists find bacteria and fungi capable of breaking down plastics 

Scientists from China and the U.K. have discovered a diverse microbiome of plastic-degrading bacteria and fungi in the coastal salt marshes in the Jiangsu province of China.

Water Vapor Detected in The Solar System’s Asteroid Belt For First Time 

Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, we know water is in the asteroid belt.

Study: Half of the world’s largest lakes are losing water

A new assessment finds that more than 50% of the water bodies have lost water since 1992.

Maine water district to tackle PFAS in wastewater biosolids

The clean water is released into receiving waters, and the biosolids are treated, then transported to landfills.

Our HydroDAO Advisor: Justin Bzdek

Justin is a teambuilder and entrepreneur whose career has focused on maximum impact on existential and biosphere sustainability problems at the nexus of energy, water, food/agriculture, climate, ecosystem/human/animal health, and social justice. He is presently CEO of Symbios Technologies, Inc. and VP Business Development of Czero, Inc. driving technology R&D and innovation at the water-energy nexus to reduce emissions and decarbonize energy conversion/storage/use, transportation, agriculture, water treatment, and manufacturing.

As a collaborative executive and board director, Justin has built companies and nonprofits reducing millions of tons of CO2 and carcinogen emissions by while generating more than $200 million in revenues and creating jobs. Justin has built many talented teams and deep product, finance, project, and business development pipelines across renewables and cleantech verticals toward a net-zero future. He is a Hach ( American Chemical Society) Scholar.

Thank you Justin for your leadership and passion for the water-energy nexus and for your support to our HydroDAO community.

What’s in the Future?

Billions to Face Potentially Deadly Heat by 2100, Scientists Warn 

Earth’s surface temperature is on track to rise 4.8 degrees Fahrenheit above preindustrial levels by 2100, pushing more than 22 percent of projected global population well outside the climate comfort zone.​

Congratulations to Karen Frost and The Water Council for receiving $1 million from the National Science Foundation. A startup is sending spacecrafts into orbit using water propulsion. A new tech can remove 100 tons of CO2 per year. AI solutions are entering the water industry. Gigantic ice deserts full of black algae are making the ice melt faster. Chicago signs a $1 billion deal to sell its water. H&M Foundation invests in a soundwave innovation to reduce microplastics in synthetics. Forget USB keys, we will soon save our data on DNA. Mushrooms’ electric communications increase after rainfall. This week, we are highlighting Heather Callender-Potters, one of HydroDAO’s key advisors. Learn about her impressive background and why she is passionate about water.
Your weekly Bonus – Half the planet will be in ‘new climate zones’ by 2100.

This week’s quote:

“Water is the driving force of all nature.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Congratulations to The Water Council and Karen Frost!!

The Water Council and partners have received a $1 million, two-year Development Award to prepare the region for a Regional Innovation Engine 

Congratulations to our advisor Karen Frost and The Water Council who have received a Development Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to plan a Resiliency Innovation Engine in eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

What’s New with Water Innovations?

Startup raises small spacecraft’s orbit by 1.86 miles using water propulsion

Momentus Space CCO Chris Kinman said the system provides “higher efficiency” and “higher thrust” than traditional space tugs.

The 8 most innovative technologies in renewable energy

Renewable energy technologies continue to make seriours strides.

New US tech can successfully remove 100 tons of CO2 from the ocean a year 

The system creates no by-products and doesn’t add anything to the ocean.

Yorkshire partnership at the heart of innovative AI pollution prevention solution

They joined forces to use AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to reduce wastewater network blockages and pollution.

What’s New in the Industry?

US agency takes unprecedented action to tackle PFAS water pollution 

EPA has ordered chemical company Chemours to stop discharging high levels of the toxic substance into the Ohio River.

Chicago’s $1 billion water deal shows Great Lakes wealth

The Midwest is touting its ample water supplies to spur economic growth.

H&M FOUNDATION FUNDS SOUNDWAVE INNOVATION 

Synthetic textiles are one of the major contributors to the release of microplastics.

Smart Water Metering Market Is Expected To Reach US$ 9586.02M By The End Of 2033 

The estimated market value for smart water metering will grow at a 10% CAGR.

What’s New in the Science?

Forget hard drives and data centers, DNA is the future of data storage 

Every day insane amounts of data are produced, and we’re running out of storage solutions. Therefore, scientists are looking at DNA to store all of the content that’s generated on the internet.

Gigantic ice deserts full of black algae are making the ice melt faster 

The ice is melting 20% faster, according to the estimates of the researchers.

Mushrooms increase electrical communication after rainfall

A type of basidiomycete is able to communicate through electrical signals.

Quantum LIDAR prototype acquires images while underwater

New technology could help model and image hard-to-reach places like underwater pipelines.

Our HydroDAO Advisor: Heather Callender-Potters

Heather has an extensive private equity background, having managed investment capital for 15+ years, involving three funds, with total committed capital of $425 million. She joined the Polish American Enterprise Fund in 1991, a $250 million fund established with US government support, to make private sector investments in Poland.

In 1993, Heather raised a $100 million fund for Entreprise Investors, now the CEE region’s largest private equity fund advisor. Heather was later recruited by Baring Private Equity Partners and Communication Equity Associates to co-manage and lead a start-up CEE/CIS fund focused on 18 countries in Europe.

In 2005, Heather co-founded Pharmajet, a private drug delivery technology company which has developed a family of patented, proprietary needle-free injection technologies. PharmaJet is the only commercial stage needle-free jet injection technology which serves the immunization and vaccine market, enjoying multiple “firsts and onlys” clinical and regulatory claims. 

Heather serves on the Board of our Water Innovation Foundation providing our water community, particularly our youth,  great leadership and support. 

Thank you Heather for your groundbreaking investment leadership, your passion for water innovation, and for your deep support to our HydroDAO community.

What’s in the Future?

Almost Half The Planet Predicted to Enter New Climate Zones by 2100 

Our planet is teetering on the edge of several tipping points that once passed, will topple into a cascade of ecological changes.

waterloop: #179: The PFAS Puzzle: Lessons On Health

Listen Now to The PFAS Puzzle, the Latest Podcast from Travis Loop at waterloop!

The emergence of PFAS has epidemiologists and toxicologists working to understand the health impacts. Researchers in North Carolina are on the leading edge of the science and discuss what is known about human health impacts.