"Human Practices is the study of how your work affects the world, and how the world affects your work." (Peter Carr, Director of Judging)

This year, we define human practices as “the process of continually adjusting and aligning the project's strategies and operations with societal needs and ethical standards, through systematic 'Calibration' in the execution process to enhance its relevance, responsibility, and beneficial impact on society.”

Based on our redefinition of Human Practices, we conducted activities such as education for almost all age groups, the evaluation of SDGs, inclusivity, etc.

Human practices aim to dynamically connect the project and the broader world, ensuring that the project aligns with societal needs and ethical standards while seeking its scientific objectives. To achieve this, human practices need to extend beyond lab work and actively engage in project governance.

Our team values a blend of explicit frameworks and tacit knowledge to realize effective project governance. Frameworks from previous successful teams, like UTokyo 2023, have provided valuable guidance, but they are insufficient without integrating our team's unique insights and experiences.

We propose viewing human practices through "Calibration", inspired by the fine-tuning systems in robotics to optimize their performance. Calibration involves continually adjusting the project’s strategies and operations to align with societal and ethical considerations.

Environment calibration is a comprehensive assessment of the external environment:

Analyzing social, cultural, ethical, and environmental factors;

Identifying key societal dynamics worthy of attention;

Providing data support for subsequent project adjustments.

Goal Calibration ensures the project's objectives remain aligned with both scientific advancements and societal needs:

Evaluating the results from environment calibration to refine project goals;

Assessing long-term impacts and immediate outputs to maintain relevance and practical utility throughout different project stages.

Methodology Calibration ensures that the project's methods and strategies are continuously updated and optimized based on ongoing feedback and project progression:

Adjusting methods and strategies in response to project progress and external feedback;

Utilizing various tools and techniques to enhance operational processes;

Adapting execution strategies to ensure scientific effectiveness and responsiveness to external changes.

Feedback Calibration establishes a structured system for integrating stakeholder feedback into the project development process, enhancing adaptability and ongoing improvement:

Establishing a continuous feedback loop to gather inputs from all project stakeholders;

Utilizing this feedback to optimize different aspects of the project and ensure it remains on the correct developmental trajectory;

Promoting the project’s adaptability to changing environments and fostering continuous improvement and innovation.

Fig. 1 | Calibration model

These steps collectively form a comprehensive approach to human practices, ensuring that our project is aligned with current scientific and technological standards and proactively addresses the broader societal and ethical dimensions. This structured methodology helps our project remain dynamic and responsive, thereby maximizing its positive impact on society.

The Calibration Model redefines and views human practices in project governance as vital and continual adjustments that enhance project alignment with societal expectations and ethical standards. This model emphasizes the precise, adaptable governance mechanisms that ensure the project activities echo with both scientific objectives and community values.

Crucial from the project's conceptual phase in practice, the Calibration Model guides the setting of goals and the designing of initial methodologies. Then, it necessitates a systematic approach to refining strategies and methodologies based on the ongoing assessments of environment and societal impacts. This dynamic calibration involves detailed monitoring and responsive adjustments, ensuring that the project remains aligned with its intended outcomes and adapts to new insights or external changes.

To truly enhance and govern the project effectively, it is essential to continually integrate both explicit knowledge from NAU-CHINA. This involves not only drawing on technical expertise and scientific data but also valuing team members’ intuitive understanding of the project's broader impact. By implementing these progressive calibrations, the Calibration Model ensures transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in project governance, aiming to optimize outcomes and enhance societal benefit continuously.

Before embarking on our Human Practices, we took a step back to assess our team's dynamics and interests, which guided the development of our Human Practices methodology.

Our team, comprising a diverse group of students from different disciplines, including life science, food science and technology, and agronomy, showed a strong interest in the intersection of synthetic biology and sustainable development. Recognizing the critical challenges faced with sustainable materials, our team was eager to explore innovative solutions in this area through the lens of synthetic biology. Although we were passionate about contributing to sustainable biomanufacturing practices, we initially lacked a clear focus on the specific challenges we wanted to address.

To define our approach for the forthcoming Human Practices activities, we first decided to engage with our PI Chen Xi and peers to gain insights into the current challenges within sustainable materials. These interactions were designed to fuel our team’s curiosity and help us pinpoint specific issues that could be tackled through synthetic biology. By hypothesizing potential solutions and discussing them with experts, we aimed to iteratively refine our understanding and focus on particular problems of the damage of underwater soft-robots, which established a solid foundation for our project's direction.

(Click here to seek more details in Collaboration: Yangtze River Conference)

Fig. 2 | Having a seminar with our PI

1. Complexity of Marine Adhesion: Professor Liu highlighted that marine adhesion is a complex process involving protein folding and amino acid modifications. The exact mechanisms are still not fully understood, but it is generally believed that increasing the rate of DOPA (dihydroxyphenylalanine) modifications enhances adhesion effectiveness. This insight guides us to optimize the adhesive properties of our bioengineered proteins.

2. Environmental Impact on Adhesion: Ignorance of specific details on how environmental factors affect adhesion underscores the importance of environment calibration in our project. We aim to further investigate these impacts through targeted experiments and field studies.

3. Material Stability in Marine Environments: The stability of materials in marine environment involves complex interactions with microbial degradation and seawater corrosion. Professor Liu’s advice stresses the need for a comprehensive approach to evaluate the durability of our bioengineered materials under various environmental conditions.

4. Biocompatibility of Protein Materials: The generally good biocompatibility of protein-based materials was also noted, suggesting that this should not pose a significant issue for our application. This reinforces our choice of bio-based materials and will be considered in our safety and regulatory assessments.

Environment Calibration: Incorporating Professor Liu’s feedback, we advance our environment calibration to better assess how varying marine conditions affect the performance and stability of our bio-adhesive.

Goal Calibration: Insights into the complexity of adhesion and material stability are used to refine our project goals, ensuring they are both achievable and aligned with environmental sustainability.

Methodology Calibration: We adjust our experimental designs and data collection methods to focus on the factors highlighted by Professor Liu, particularly in optimizing DOPA modifications and assessing environmental impacts.

Feedback Calibration: Continuing to integrate feedback from field experts like Professor Liu, we maintain an iterative process of refining our project approach based on expert insights and empirical data.

Professor Liu's expertise has been invaluable in guiding our project towards a more scientifically robust and environmentally considerate approach. By integrating these insights into our Calibration Model, we ensure that our project is innovative and grounded in practical considerations, developing its potential for success and impact.

1. Healing Rate of Self-Healing Materials: The healing rate varies across different materials, particularly influenced by the extent of damage—similar to how human skin heals. The materials developed by Zhang Lei are primarily used for coatings, where the healing speed decreases with the severity of the damage. This analogy helps us understand that healing won't occur as rapidly as depicted in sci-fi movies, but it follows a realistic and measurable progression.

2. Impact of Marine Environments on Healing: Zhang Lei’s findings suggest that temperature plays a critical role in the healing process, with lower temperatures significantly slowing down the healing rate. While other environmental factors like depth pressure, ionic concentration, and biological contact might impact healing, their effects are dependent on the specific healing mechanism of the designed material. Any factor that influences the healing mechanism could potentially affect the healing process and its efficiency.

Refining Healing Mechanisms: With the understanding that healing rates vary and are slower under significant damage, our project refines the healing mechanisms to enhance efficiency, especially in scenarios mimicking real-world damage.

Adaptability to Marine Conditions: Given the sensitivity of healing processes to environmental conditions like temperature, our project goals include designing materials that maintain effective healing properties under a range of marine environmental conditions, including low temperatures and varying ionic concentrations.

Experimental Adjustments: We modify our experimental setups to test the materials’ healing capabilities under controlled temperature variations and simulated marine conditions.

Collaborative Research: Encouraged by Zhang Lei's advice, we plan to engage more actively with the broader research community on self-healing materials, particularly connecting those working with protein materials, to gather further insights and potential collaboration opportunities.

The insights from Zhang Lei are instrumental in recalibrating our project goals to better align with the practical challenges and environmental factors that influence self-healing materials. By integrating these expert perspectives, we ensure that our project is not only grounded in cutting-edge science but also tailored to meet the demands of real-world applications in marine environments.

Fig. 3 | Sustainable Development Goals

Our team selected Kyoto as the site for an in-depth exploration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its global environmental leadership and commitment to sustainability. Kyoto, historically known for hosting the Conference of the Parties 3 (COP3), where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, continues to be a beacon for climate action and sustainability efforts. The city streets are adorned with public advertisements promoting the SDGs, reflecting a community deeply engaged with and committed to these global goals. This widespread awareness and active promotion of sustainability made Kyoto an ideal location to deepen our understanding and commitment to the SDGs, particularly in the context of our project's focus on marine sustainability, because Kyoto’s proximity to coastal areas and its involvement in various coastal and marine conservation projects align it closely with marine sustainability goals. These projects not only support biodiversity in nearby waters but also promote sustainable fishing practices and pollution reduction, making Kyoto a particularly relevant setting for our project's focus on marine sustainability.

Fig. 4 | Photo shot at Miyako Ecology Center

During our time at the Miyako Ecology Center, we participated in discussions and workshops with the center's volunteers, gaining insights into the local and global environmental challenges. These interactions allowed us to understand the practical implications and effectiveness of ongoing sustainability efforts, particularly in relation to these key SDGs related to our Project SAMUS:

SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Promote the conservation and sustainable use of oceanic and marine resources.

Fig. 5 | SDG 14: Life below water

The center serves as a hub for environmental education and activism, making it a fitting venue for discussions on how innovative projects like ours can contribute to global sustainability.

Fig. 6 | Awareness and behavior (shot at Miyako Ecology Center)

Insights and Discussions on Marine Sustainability

Our interactions with the local volunteers were particularly enlightening, focusing on the challenges and opportunities related to marine sustainability. We discussed:

Impact of Pollution on Marine Life: How pollution, especially plastic waste, affects marine ecosystems, and what role our self-healing materials might play in reducing such impacts.

Climate Resilience: The importance of developing materials that can withstand changing oceanic conditions due to climate change, thereby supporting resilience in marine infrastructure.

Community Involvement in Marine Conservation: Strategies for engaging local and global communities in conservation efforts, emphasizing the role of education and awareness in fostering a deeper connection with the ocean.

Fig. 7 | Photo with community volunteers at Miyako Ecology Center

These discussions were instrumental in refining our project goals:

1. Enhancing Material Sustainability: We aim to develop materials that not only self-heal but also degrade safely, minimizing environmental impact and supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

2. Building Resilient Marine Infrastructures: Our project seeks to contribute to SDG 14 by enhancing the resilience of marine infrastructure, ensuring they can endure the harsh conditions posed by climate change.

3. Educational Outreach: Inspired by the strong community engagement at the Miyako Ecology Center, we plan to integrate educational components that promote SDG awareness, focusing on the critical role of sustainable technologies in marine conservation.

Fig. 8 | Listening to volunteers explaining SDGs

The visit to the Miyako Ecology Center in Kyoto reaffirmed our commitment to aligning our project with the SDGs and provided a rich context for understanding how advanced materials can contribute to global sustainability efforts. By choosing Kyoto and the Miyako Ecology Center, we tapped into a vibrant culture of environmental activism and education, enriching our project's approach to addressing the SDGs through innovation in marine sustainability.

Based on the guidance from Jiang, we are implementing several critical adjustments to our expression protocols:

Jiang emphasized the importance of nutrient-rich media for protein expression. While our initial trials with LB and TB media at various temperatures showed limited success, his advice directs us towards potentially optimizing nutrient supply, particularly if scaling up to fermentation tanks in the future. For now, continuing with TB media should suffice for bench-scale experiments.

Adequate oxygenation is crucial for the growth of E. coli and the subsequent expression of our protein. Jiang suggested exploring adjustments in the volume of liquid in flasks and the shaking speed to enhance oxygen supply. Given our current use of 2L media in shaking conditions, we may face limitations in oxygen transfer. We consider reducing the volume of culture in larger flasks or using smaller flasks to optimize oxygen availability.

Fine-tuning the inducer concentration, induction duration, and temperature could significantly impact protein yield. Based on Jiang's advice, we start by optimizing inducer concentration to ensure adequate protein production. If the results remain suboptimal, we will adjust the induction time and temperatures in a systematic manner.

Ensuring the presence of antibiotics prior to induction is essential for maintaining plasmid stability and optimizing protein yield. We reassess our antibiotic concentrations and administration timing to make sure that plasmid-bearing cells are thriving.

To systematically implement these adjustments, our approach includes:

Experimental Design: Setting up a series of small-scale experiments to test various combinations of the parameters mentioned above.

Data Collection: Rigorously collecting data on growth rates, protein expression levels, and overall culture health across different conditions.

Analysis and Iteration: Using statistical tools to analyze the data and identify the most effective conditions, followed by iterative rounds of testing based on the initial results.

By incorporating Jiang's advice into our methodology calibration, we aim to significantly improve the expression levels of our fusion protein. This will not only enhance the scientific output of our project but also ensure that our approach is robust and reproducible. The adjustments made through this calibration process are crucial for scaling up our production and ensuring the feasibility of our project in real-world applications.

In developing SAMUS: Self-healing Adhesive Materials for Underwater Soft-robots, it is critical to identify and understand the various stakeholders that will influence and be influenced by the project. Based on the guiding principles from academic sources such as "Modelling with Stakeholders" by Alexey Voinov, our team has thoroughly analyzed and categorized stakeholders into several key groups:

Fig. 9 | A revised workflow in participatory modeling:
"Modeling with Stakeholders" by Alexey Voinov

Role: Academic institutions and research centers specializing in materials science, marine biology, and robotics.

Interest: Development and scientific validation of new materials for advancing soft robotics, especially in marine environments.

Contribution: Providing experimental validation, offering scientific advice, and collaborating on research publications.

Role: Robotics manufacturers, marine exploration companies, and suppliers of robotic components.

Interest: Innovation in materials to extend the operational life of underwater robotics and reduce maintenance costs.

Contribution: Conducting pilot testing of SAMUS materials in real-world conditions, providing feedback on performance and practicality.

Role: Regulatory bodies overseeing marine and environmental protection and robotic deployment.

Interest: Compliance of new technologies with safety and environmental regulations.

Contribution: Offering guidance on regulatory requirements, providing potential funding for R&D, and facilitating permits for field testing.

Role: End-users such as marine biologists, environmental researchers, and technology enthusiasts.

Interest: Enhancement of soft robotics technology for complex and sensitive marine operations.

Contribution: Providing user feedback and assisting in the popularization of the technology through community outreach and education.

Role: Organizations focused on marine conservation and sustainable technology.

Interest: Positive contributions of technological advancements to the marine environment.

Contribution: Advocating for responsible technology use, monitoring environmental impacts, and raising public awareness.

Role: Educational institutions and public interest groups promoting science and technology education.

Interest: Public education on the benefits of new technologies and enhancement of understanding of marine ecosystems.

Contribution: Disseminating knowledge about SAMUS through workshops, seminars, and publications.

Table 1 | Analysis of stakeholders

By identifying these stakeholders and clearly understanding their roles and interests, the SAMUS project strategically align its goals to meet the needs of these diverse groups. This approach ensures a holistic development and deployment strategy that maximizes the benefits of self-healing materials for underwater soft robots, while also adhering to environmental, safety, and user-experience standards. This stakeholder-centric approach facilitate a more targeted and effective feedback loop, crucial for the iterative development and success of the SAMUS.

As part of the SAMUS project's commitment to integrating real-world insights into our development process, we conducted a field interaction with local agricultural soft-robot stakeholders in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, to expand the potential use of the materials we designed.This dialogue was essential for understanding the practical applications and potential challenges of implementing self-healing materials in soft robots within agricultural settings.

Note: At the request of the participants, personal information has been withheld.

Fig. 10 | Photo shot during the discussion

The primary objective of this engagement was to gather direct feedback from potential end-users, specifically those involved in agriculture, who could benefit from the deployment of soft robots. Discussions focused on the operational requirements, durability concerns, and economic feasibility of integrating such advanced technologies into everyday agricultural practices.

The interaction provided the SAMUS team with crucial insights into:

Operational Challenges: Understanding the complex terrain and environmental conditions that agricultural robots would need to navigate.

Durability Concerns: Emphasizing the importance of self-healing capabilities to withstand the wear and tear typical in agricultural settings.

Economic Considerations: Addressing the cost-effectiveness and ease of use necessary for widespread adoption among local farmers.

The feedback and data gathered from this field interaction are being used to refine the design and functionality of the SAMUS materials, ensuring they meet the specific needs of the agricultural sector. The team is focused on enhancing the robots' autonomous capabilities and ensuring their resilience in diverse farming environments.

This stakeholder engagement underscores the SAMUS project's proactive approach to development, characterized by continuous interaction with potential users to ensure that the final product is both practical and beneficial for the target audience. The insights gained from this interaction are instrumental in guiding the project towards successful implementation and adoption in agricultural settings.