Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge - Research Stream Finalists Announced

Bridge Hub has announced the eight research finalists from Australia and New Zealand who have progressed to the next round of the Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge Research Stream.

The purpose of the Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge is to uncover the best and brightest research, the most innovative ideas and the best startups that positively impact water sustainability within our agrisystem. The Water Challenge was launched in July by the Hon Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and the Hon Phil Twyford, Minister for Economic Development in New Zealand.

Finalists will now progress to the next round which includes a two week workshop series being delivered in partnership with Callaghan Innovations and the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN). CSIRO, the Australian Research Stream sponsor and Zespri, the New Zealand Research Stream sponsor will be involved in the next round of judging to take place.

One Australian research winner and one New Zealand research winner will each receive a cash prize of $25,000. Blue River Group will invest up to $100,000 into the commercial outcome of the prize winning research from each country.

The eight research finalists are:

Nitrate removal to safeguard water quality
Associate Professor David Leung
University of Canterbury, NZ

EFF-GO - 21st Century Solution for 21st Century Waste
Dr Peter Dyer
Callaghan Innovation, NZ

Real-time control of irrigation through acoustic sensing to prevent runoff and pollution
Dr Chandra Ghimire
AgResearch Ltd, NZ

Membrane Subsurface Irrigation
Professor Gregory Leslie
The University of New South Wales

Advanced Capture of Water from the Atmosphere
Prof Chiara Neto
The University of Sydney

Waste to plastic: converting agricultural wastewater to high value bioplastics
Damian Laird
Murdoch University

Microalgae harvesting using tuneable polymers
Professor Long D. Nghiem
University of Technology Sydney

Aquaporin Solutions
Dr Caitlin Byrt
Australian National University

The Water Challenge has created a cohort of individuals and organisations across research, industry and government who are committed to addressing the many water issues we face across the agrisystem. Importantly, the cohort is truly international, with involvement from Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

For further information please contact Dianna Somerville, Community Manager Bridge Hub: di@thebridgehub.co