Memorial University of Newfoundland

Purpose

This project aims to valorize salmon processing waste into new environmentally-friendly functional materials for chemical catalysis, and the biomedical and energy sectors by developing a process that does not use hazardous reagents to access the nanoscale, biomineral crystals that make up fish bones. A broad range of characterization techniques will be used to characterize the nanomaterials and guide their use in different end sectors. The proposed technology will impact the triple bottom line as follows: increased profit for aquaculture/fish processing activities as secondary products are manufactured, increased employment opportunities in rural regions in a female-dominated industry, and reduced environmental pollution from biologically hazardous waste.