Our Mission
Why: We need more nickel to sustain Earth's operations and reduce pollution from mining.
How: Provide an eco-friendly method to absorb nickel from contaminated water.
What: Mass-produced nickel-absorbing bacterial cleaner for water bodies.
Please find more information in our business plan.⬇️
【待插入bp英文版】
Identifying and Understanding Unmet Needs
As global awareness of environmental protection increases, the demand for sustainable resource management and the reduction of industrial pollution is growing. According to estimates by AsianMetal, 4.4 to 4.6 million tons of nickel-containing scrap are collected annually, with a nickel content of nearly 350,000 tons, accounting for about one-fourth of the total nickel demand. The mining and production processes of nickel have caused significant environmental damage, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The Earth urgently needs effective methods to mitigate the pollution caused by the nickel mining industry.
【插入镍年均消耗量的graph】
On the other hand, current global nickel reserves are struggling to meet the growing demand from electric vehicles and other high-tech products, increasing the risk of resource depletion. ESDM has pointed out that high-grade nickel ore with a content of over 1.7% can only sustain consumption for 7 to 10 more years. The Earth needs an efficient nickel recycling technology to extend the lifespan of nickel resources and meet the ongoing demand for nickel in the future.
【插入镍预测耗尽年限的预测graph】
However, existing nickel recycling methods are inefficient, costly, and harmful to the environment. Given the surge in nickel demand, the market shows a strong willingness to invest in a new nickel recycling system that meets the pursuit of innovation and efficiency. As a result, we have identified the potential customers for the MINERAL project as industrial manufacturers utilizing nickel, including battery manufacturers, stainless steel producers, industrial wastewater treatment companies, mining companies, and stainless steel manufacturers.
【插入potential customers的示意图】
Competitive Analysis
Perspectives | MINERAL | Precipitation with NaOH | Precipitation with Sulphide | Molecular Membrane Filtration | Ion Exchange | Electrochemical Method | Adsorption with Activated Carbon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Environmental | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ➖ | ➖ | ✅ |
Energy Consumption | ✅ | ➖ | ➖ | ❌ | ➖ | ❌ | ✅ |
Cost&Benefit | ✅ | ✅ | ➖ | ❌ | ➖ | ❌ | ➖ |
Complexity of Operation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ➖ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Recovery Rate of Nickel | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ➖ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Adaptability | ✅ | ✅ | ➖ | ❌ | ✅ | ➖ | ❌ |
Extensibility | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ➖ | ➖ |
Safety | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ➖ | ❌ | ➖ | ✅ |
Our Possible, Scalable and Inventive Solution
n response to the unmet needs mentioned above and based on the MINERAL project, we have developed our product—Nickel Ion Wastewater Cleaner. By introducing genes that control the absorption and accumulation of nickel ions into E. coli, we successfully created a product that can significantly reduce the concentration of nickel ions in water. We have already validated that our project is feasible.
Our product is a carboxylated solid that encapsulates nickel particles, which is not only technologically advanced but also offers significant commercial advantages. This solid form is easy to monitor and control for quality assurance, ensuring efficiency and consistency in commercial production. The visible nature of the product enhances its market appeal. Additionally, our production process has been optimized to maintain product quality and production efficiency as we scale up. These features ensure that our project meets scalability requirements while maintaining market competitiveness.
【technologically advanced,easy to monitor,efficiency and consistency,visible effect,easy to scale up五点指向中心一个competitiveness的图片】
Most importantly, our product simplifies the previously cumbersome industrial process using a highly innovative approach—no chemical reagents, no molecular membrane filtration. You simply need to add the Nickel Ion Wastewater Cleaner to wastewater with the corresponding concentration, and you will be able to observe the valuable nickel being separated.
【基因工程-扩大培养-产品装瓶-运输至客户-投入废水-获得干净的水,流程图】
Product Development, Milestones, Resources, and Risks
###key goals:
To improve nickel recovery efficiency, enhance the cleaner's ability to handle higher heavy metal, salt, and pH concentrations, scale up production, achieve profitability, and set a green industry benchmark.
###key resources:
- Ample technical labor provided by the campus
- Ongoing pursuit of funding
- Strong technological barriers
- Supported by production practices from partner companies
- Backed by government support for green initiatives
Technical Labor: Our project relies on the abundant technical resources and laboratory equipment within Fudan University, ensuring that the hardware needs for research and experimentation are fully met. Our team benefits from a robust supply of technical labor, including talented students and professional faculty members, who bring both innovative ideas and practical skills to the project.
Ongoing pursuit of funding: Additionally, we are actively seeking continuous funding support through various channels and partnerships to ensure a stable financial pipeline for the project. And there's some sources of fund that we achieved【link to 战略合作伙伴】
Technological Barriers: On the technical side, we have established certain technological barriers, including patent protection and the specialized knowledge and expertise of our team. This gives our project a competitive edge and helps us maintain a unique position in the market.
Partner Companies: We have also forged strong ties with partner companies that provide valuable support in terms of production practices, including access to facilities, technology, and management expertise, which are crucial for transitioning our lab results into viable products.
Government Support: Moreover, our project has received substantial backing from the government, especially since green technologies and sustainable development are highly encouraged under current policies.【link to相关政策整理】 Government support includes financial subsidies, tax incentives, research grants, and other initiatives, all of which will greatly accelerate the growth and market expansion of our project. The strategic use of these key resources lays a solid foundation for the success of our project and paves the way for future development.
Exit Mechanism
Our exit strategy is multifaceted, designed to maximize project value and ensure efficient resource allocation. It includes seeking mergers with wastewater treatment companies to leverage their market resources and accelerate the application of our technology. We also retain the option to sell patents and licenses to realize the commercial value of our intellectual property. Additionally, the project can be preserved as a startup opportunity to be pursued when market conditions are favorable. This strategy aims to maximize the project’s value while laying the groundwork for future growth.
Timeline
【画成时间轴:
iGEM验证实验的顺利完成,技术路径的可行;
与企业沟通,达成技术合作协议,并尝试小规模的应用;
注册成立公司,并申请专利;
扩展研究团队并租用小型厂房进行试生产;
实现正向盈利;
扩大生产规模实现量产;
将产品技术路径扩展到其他重金属离子以扩展市场;
成为重要的重金属废水处理回收公司。】
Financial Analysis
【思考是否&如何呈现ing】
Risks
In the current context where environmental pollution is difficult to measure as equitably as carbon emissions, our team's biological method lacks cost advantages when heavy metal ion concentrations in wastewater are high. Integrating this method into the end of chemical treatment processes also places high demands on facility infrastructure.
The shortage of synthetic biology talent means that after selling the product, we would need to provide customers with extensive and detailed after-sales services, creating significant pressure on human resources.
Moreover, existing nickel ion separation methods are relatively crude and inexpensive, leaving companies with little motivation to switch to biological recovery methods.
Our Skills, Capabilities and Stakeholders
Skills: To ensure the success of the project, we need to master key skills, including technological innovation to optimize product performance, channel development to expand the market, marketing to enhance brand influence, financial management to ensure proper use of funds, factory operations to guarantee production efficiency, human resource management to build an efficient team, public relations to maintain the company's image, and data analysis to guide strategic decisions. Together, these skills will drive the development of the project and strengthen its market competitiveness.【我感觉是没用的words,可能要修改一下逻辑,与我们成员已有的技能对应?】
Capability: Our team needs excellent communication and collaboration skills to ensure smooth information flow and teamwork. Presentation skills are crucial for conveying the project's vision and attracting support. Strong analytical and decision-making abilities are essential for solving complex problems and seizing opportunities. A responsible attitude and good reputation are vital for gaining the trust and support of stakeholders and ensuring the project's smooth progression. These core capabilities will collectively drive the success and sustainable development of the project.
Reliable Team: Our team consists of 14 members from Fudan University's iGEM team, a diverse group of undergraduates, graduates, and expert mentors from various academic fields. Our members bring deep theoretical knowledge and practical experience in technological innovation, project management, and social engagement. This diversity fosters creativity and allows us to approach problems from multiple perspectives. With the valuable guidance and support from mentors with extensive academic and industry connections, our team’s combination of reliability, technical expertise, and practical experience provides a solid foundation for project success.【link to members】
**Stakeholders: **
Dimensions | Gov. | Wastewater Treatment Company | Residual | Scientist | Potential Customers | Mining Company | Sustainable Development Organization |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Environment Protection | ++Beneficial to Society | +Establish a Positive Corporate Image | ++Strongly Value a Good Environment | +Better Environment for Better Research | +Positive to Corporate Image | +Restore Industry Reputation | ++Their Mission |
Accessibility | ++More Application, the Better | +Expand Application Scenarios | 0 | +Diverse Way for Research | ++Adapt to Company's Operations | +Easy to Use | ++Better Make it Global |
Concerns on Safety | --Concerns about Biosecurity May Spark Public Panic | +Safer than Chemical Methods | --Also Place Great Emphasis on Safety | - Wonder Long-term Implications. | 0 | +Safer Than Other Methods | -Avoid Additional Risks |
Cost | 0 | ++Adopting This Method Saves Substantial Costs. | 0 | 0 | ++Hope to Reduce Costs and Improve Efficiency | +Biological Method is Cost-effective | 0 |
Effectiveness | +More Tax Income | ++Strongly Related to Revenue | +Increase Employment | 0 | ++Strongly Related to Revenue | --Less Efficient Than Traditional Methods | +Strongly Related to Missions |
Innovation | ++Encourage Technological Innovation | 0 | 0 | ++Scientific Progress leading to Expansion of Research Fields | -Preference for Established Technology | 0 | 0 |
Long-term Impacts
Positive: 1.减少采矿活动 2.减缓镍储备的消耗速度 3.降低水体污染程度,进而推动SDGs的目标达成 4.创造生物行业的新兴就业机会与市场 5.有了替代技术支撑,政府将更强硬地立法和执行环境保护相关法规
Negative: 1.将工程化的微生物投放至环境水体中,可能造成基因逃逸和污染的风险,增强野生细菌拥有重金属离子抗性的风险,使得现有净水手段难以奏效 2.传统采矿及冶金行业可能面临市场萎缩和就业率下降的问题,造成摩擦性失业 3.生物制剂不同于工业流水化产品,不同批次可能出现差异较大的问题,造成重金属清除效果不稳定