2024 Grant Awardees

FishSense: A 3D Camera System for In-Situ Fish Measurement in Aquaculture and Marine Protected Areas

Applicant: Christopher Crutchfield & Ryan Kastner, $29,000

Three billion people rely on seafood as a source of protein. One-third of global fish stocks are being over-exploited, resulting in substantial losses in biodiversity and fisheries collapses. Managing fisheries for long-term sustainability requires specific information fundamental to preventing overfishing. 

FishSense provides in situ measurement for fisheries and marine protected area management. FishSense enables non-extractive and non-destructive characterization of fish populations that will modernize and democratize fisheries data collection. FishSense provides technologies to better assess, monitor, and manage fish populations for a more sustainable future.

The Climate Games

Applicant: Neil Smith, $50,000

The Climate Games is a video game open world designed by students, for all students of any age or background. The climate is changing but not equally! In The Climate Games you will discover these places and be challenged by them. In this open immersive digital world you will investigate complex issues, explore difficult and sensitive topics, experience what it is like at ground zero, and be empowered to make a difference. In the Climate Games you can both actively participate in playing the growing list of climate games or join community led teams to build new ones.

Continuous, environmental DNA-based monitoring of agricultural pests to support integrated pest management

Applicant: Liz Lyons, $45,000

Pests lead to significant economic losses and food quality and safety concerns. Moreover, they are becoming resistant to pesticides and there is a growing demand for reducing pesticide use. To achieve this, timely pest monitoring is critical.

We have developed an air sampling device that allows for continuous pest monitoring and early detection. With our continuous monitoring service, we estimate that farmers will be able to reduce their pesticide use by about 50%. This project will allow us to meet with and speak to farmers and industry experts to ensure that the service we develop is well-suited to their needs.

Addressing Climate Trauma in Climate Vulnerable Communities

Applicant: Jyoti Mishra, $50,000

Many Californians inhabit the wildland-urban interface, where climate changed accelerated catastrophic wildfires have become frighteningly commonplace. Our research has characterized the significant mental health, cognitive and neurobiological impacts of climate change driven wildfires in these climate vulnerable communities, and these complex set of mental health impacts observed are now characterized as climate trauma.

This proposal specifically seeks to address the growing climate trauma observed in climate vulnerable communities via a dual solution that integrates digital technology and community partnership. Our proposal is innovative in the design and implementation of a human well-being centered intervention.

Using smart technologies to deliver cost-effective energy conservation

Applicant: Teevrat Garg, $50,000

Our project centers on a proprietary algorithm designed to optimize energy consumption in homes and businesses. While smart plugs have been in use, our innovation lies in the intelligent management of switch off events, ensuring energy is used most efficiently during peak times. Our unique interface further allows for real-time engagement with households and businesses, providing insights and control over their energy usage. As renewable energy gains traction, our solution seamlessly integrates with its intermittent supply, enhancing both reliability and sustainability. In essence, we're revolutionizing energy management, ensuring a more efficient and eco-friendly future for India's power grid.

Tackling Food-Waste’s CO2 Emissions By Building a Circular Bio-Economy Centered on a Black Soldier Fly Platform

Applicant: Valentino Gantz & Ethan Bier, $50,000

The Buzz BioLabs team is embarking on an innovative journey to transform sustainable practices in industrial biomolecule production. Using the Black Soldier Fly, the team aims to produce high-value proteins, such as antibodies, in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner. By utilizing agricultural waste as feed for the flies, this project not only contributes to waste reduction — a significant source of global CO2 emissions — but also offers a sustainable and greener alternative to traditional biomanufacturing. The initiative is currently in the proof-of-concept stage, with aspirations to expand the product range and further enhance sustainable practices in the biotechnology sector.

Carbon Footprint Tracing for UCSD Campus: A Power Flow Analysis Framework and Interactive Dashboard

Applicant: Yuanyuan Shi, $50,000

There have been great interests on reducing the carbon footprint of energy systems in response to the global trends towards sustainability. To enable 24/7 carbon-zero UCSD campus operation, quantifying the carbon emission of different generators and loads serves as a cornerstone. In this project, we develop a systematic carbon tracing tool that can accurately compute the carbon emission of each power load in a network. We will create an interactive dashboard that can visualize the real-time carbon emission at different locations and buildings in UCSD campus, suggest carbon reduction actions, and display the hard-to-evaluate action/policy outcomes.

Enhancing coastal resilience using nanotechnology and hybrid reef engineering

Applicant: Daniel Wangpraseurt, $50,000

Natural coral reefs are in worldwide decline due to rising ocean temperatures, human development, and pollution runoff. Their retreat has revealed the valuable role living coral reef structures play in protecting the coast by efficient dispersal of wave energy. DARPA recently initiated the “REEFENSE” program to build artificial coral reefs to protect coastal areas, particularly DoD property, against flooding, erosion, and storm damage. Its goal is to build a living structure that is self-maintaining while generating environmental and economic benefits of natural reef systems.