Sub-mission:
Support sustainable aquaculture by improving water quality, limiting biofilm growth, and reducing antibiotic dependence where feasible.

Status:

Research-only — current activities are limited to experimental studies; no commercial claims implied.

Active Research Areas

Biofilm & Pathogen Pressure
Studying surrogate organisms and coupon-based models to better understand biofilm formation, persistence, and control strategies in aquaculture systems.

Scale & Fouling
Measuring pressure-drop and energy impacts caused by scaling and fouling, and evaluating cleaning cycle strategies to extend system uptime.

Water Quality
Tracking ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate dynamics in recirculating systems. Exploratory studies are also examining trace metals (including lead) to evaluate treatment interactions and risks.

Operational Studies
Exploring run-time performance, maintenance requirements, and integration concepts for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), with a focus on minimizing downtime and improving resilience.

Why This Matters

Global demand for aquaculture continues to grow, yet challenges in water management persist:

Excessive biofilm growth and pathogen pressure threaten stock health.

Dependence on antibiotics raises concerns about resistance and food safety.

Poorly managed water quality can reduce yields and impact animal welfare.

By developing electrified, chemical-minimized water treatment strategies, this research seeks to:

Enhance system reliability.

Reduce the need for antibiotics.

Support sustainable growth of aquaculture as a viable protein source for the future.

Broader Vision

Aquaculture is central to food security and ecosystem resilience. Research in this area contributes to:

More efficient recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

Healthier aquatic environments.

Practical tools to help producers manage water chemistry, biofilms, and contaminants more effectively.