18 November 2010

‘Microbubble’ innovation wins AXA Insurance Cleantech Open UK ideas competition

A new technology with the potential to accelerate the development of algal biofuels that would transform the renewable energy market, is today announced as the winner of the AXA Insurance Cleantech Open UK ideas competition.

The microbubble maker, created by our own Professor Will Zimmerman, advances both the commercial and environmental
viability of algal biofuels.

This advancement – which takes its inspiration from how children blow bubbles - increases algae growth rates by improving the mixing of CO2 and stripping out waste. The technology is widely applicable, and hits the sustainability bulls-eye of being both cheaper and significantly more energy efficient than currently used methods. In treating water
and waste water for example, the microbubble maker saves up to 80% less energy than existing technology.

Professor Zimmerman will now represent the UK in the Global Cleantech Open ideas competition, held in the San Jose on November 17, pitching in front of 2,500 cleantech investors, experts, media and academia.

Professor Zimmerman said, “I’m looking forward to representing the UK on a global stage, and taking the technology to a global audience. With it we can enhance the effectiveness of not just biofuel production but anaerobic digestors, treating sewage and cooling computers – all of
which have huge benefits in terms of sustainability. I’m excited that other people are now getting excited too.”

Richard Miller, competition judge and head of sustainability at the Technology Strategy Board, said, “What is deeply inspiring by Professor Zimmerman’s mixing technology is the possibility that it will revolutionalise not one, but many markets. It is a powerful concept and will, in my view, have huge impact in many applications.”

Truska Angel, head of climate change and sustainability for AXA Insurance said, “AXA Insurance is backing the competition because it is about discovering and helping forward-thinking ideas at a grassroots level and because we believe the UK can lead the way in addressing today’s energy and sustainability challenges.

“Professor Zimmerman’s technology is a deserved winner because it is a genuine break-through idea that can be practically used to radically improve so many industrial and commercial processes today, as well as being a catalyst for future innovation.”

In the global final the Professor Zimmerman will be competing against teams from countries including Brazil, China, Denmark, Israel, India, Italy, Kenya, New Zealand, Sinapore and the United States.

At the UK finals there were two special commendations from the judges:

Scour Prevention – A special commendation for Mark Aspinall for his idea that addresses a critical issue facing off-shore wind turbines, namely scouring and its associated costs.

CO2 Sequestration – A special commendation for Robin Francis for his innovation that enables point-source CO2 to be sequestered permanently, safely and profitably from exhaust gases of power and industrial processes.