The project, developed by students and experts from the Istrian University of Applied Sciences, along with industrial partners, is designed for the collection and analysis of microplastics in the sea.
The project is being realised with the support of partners, including Calucem and Infobip, and the Jadranko is expected to play a key role in the fight against microplastic pollution, a dangerous phenomenon threatening the marine ecosystem and human health.
"Our Jadranko is the result of effort, investment and dedication, which will contribute to the improvement of our environment. Through this project, which offers a solution to the growing global challenge of microplastics in the sea, we have shown that students acquire impressive knowledge and experience even during their studies," said the Dean of the Istrian University of Applied Sciences, Daglas Koraca.
Microplastics are a serious global issue as they increasingly appear in marine organisms, including fish and shellfish, which are consumed daily from the Adriatic Sea. As Koraca points out, such projects not only contribute to environmental preservation but also inspire new generations of scientists to address global challenges.
Project leader Vedrana Špada stated that the Jadranko is planned for further development through two key phases over the next two years.
The Jadranko v2.0 project includes the development of an autonomous vessel for collecting micro and macro plastics along the coast and analysing samples in the laboratories of the Metris Centre at the Istrian University of Applied Sciences. Jadranko v3.0 will involve continuous collection of microplastic samples, detailed analysis and the presentation of results to the scientific and professional community.
A cooperation agreement has been signed under which Calucem has provided €50,000 in financial support for further development of the robotic vessel and support for young talents through scholarships and internships.