Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Lethbridge College (LC) is leading and transforming education in Alberta. Applied research is an integral partof the college's strategy and plays a significant role in providing opportunities for faculty and students topartner with industry and community to the benefit of our economy and society.With over 15 years of experience and expertise LC is a leader in Integrated Fish and Plant Systems (IFPS)research. LC wishes to partner with 1722497 Alberta Ltd. to develop a zero-waste food production platformbased on microfiltration and nutrient recycling designed to provide a highest yield output in the greenhousespace. The partnership would enable the removal of suspended smaller micro- and nanoparticles which cancreate problems in the drainage system of the vertical farms developed by the company. This project will utilizethe uniquely designed microfiltration process using biochar's micro- and nanopore network that can efficientlytrap these particles. Besides solving this problem, it will also minimize the need for aquaponics growers to addplant nutritional supplements to their systems, thus mitigating the ongoing industry problem of nutrientmismanagement in Canadian aquaponics production. In addition, the platform will create a niche value addedproduct - highly concentrated nutrient solution active biochar, which has the potential to significantly reducethe operational costs of the aquaponics industry.