Team:RPI Troy NY/HP/Silver
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Philosophy
Oil spills pose a sizeable threat to marine life and are classified as a major environmental disaster. Cleaning up after oil spills requires the use of dispersants, [][] chemical dispersants, which break down crude oil for easier biodegredation but is dependent on location and wind speed, or mechanical human-guided skimmers, which manually contain and collect oil. Current containment methods include surrounding the spill using floating booms to prevent further spread.
Sophorolipids, which are a type of biosurfactants, are natural dispersers/degraders of crude oil. The majority of sophorolipids are biodegradable and pose little toxicity to humans. Our team aims to create sophorolipids using the fermentation of the yeast starmarella bombicola, and then improve sophorolipid production by disabling an enzyme regulating the sopholipid concentration.
Silver Medal Criterion #3
Convince the judges you have thought carefully and creatively about whether your work is safe, responsible and good for the world. You could accomplish this through engaging with your local, national and/or international communities or other approaches. Please note that standard surveys will not fulfill this criteria.
What should we write about on this page?
On this page, you should write about the Human Practices topics you considered in your project, and document any special activities you did (such as visiting experts, talking to lawmakers, or doing public engagement). This should include all of the work done for the Silver Medal Criterion #3. Details for your Gold medal work and/or work for the two Human Practices special prizes should be put on those specified pages.
