Annual Plans

Yearly plan of each research themes / branding strategy is shown in Fig. 5. The yearly plan (5 years) of this project is divided into first three years (Phase 1) and the following two years (Phase 2). In Phase 1, we will select the waste/wastewater to be treated, explore the local plankton, conduct fundamental research in the laboratory, and gather the needs of local people through cooperation with local NGOs. In the final year of Phase 1 (3rd year), interim report meeting will be held to confirm the progress of the whole project by PDCA cycle, grasp the problems and make an improvement in the next phase. In Phase 2, we will conduct research and development, and product development for social implementation in each respective research themes, and examine the value chain and BOP business. For the social implementation of locally appropriate technology, we will cooperate with local universities, while collaborating with local offices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Regarding the product development in the local areas, we will work with local NGOs, feed crop companies, food processing companies, and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to develop actual plankton-based products including nutritional supplements. In the final year of Phase 2 (5th year), a public symposium will be held, together with third-party evaluation, discussion on post-project activities and approaches towards the overall goal and horizontal expansion of the project.

2017

Goals

  • Research activities

Research theme 1: Consider the waste and wastewater to be treated in developing countries.

Research theme 2: Information gathering of local phytoplankton in developing countries and information organization for OMICS analysis.

Research theme 3: Understanding the needs for the improvement of living environmentpovertyhealth in developing countries and surrounding areas.

Research theme 4: Preparation of collaboration system with international organizations for the education of local residents, and acceptance of local students and trainees.

  • Branding strategies

Establishment of public relations activities and the means of information dissemination. On-campus and off-campus dissemination of the project. Hold local briefing meeting.

Implementation plans

  • Research activities

Research theme 1: Opinion exchange with research institutes in developing countries and preliminary survey.

Research theme 2: Consideration of the places to collect phytoplankton in developing countries.

Research theme 3: Conduct field survey in developing countries and surrounding areas.

Research theme 4: Promotion of the project by local seminars for local residents, UN, NGO and NPO. Preparation for accepting international students.

  • Branding strategies

Establishment of a branding center in university. Open official website and SNS of the project. Hold on-campus briefing meetings for all the students and faculty members. Hold local briefing meetings.

2018

Goals

  • Research activities

Research theme 1:

Selection of waste/wastewater to be treated. Analysis and evaluation of biogas production from selected waste/wastewater and nutrients in the anaerobic digested effluent Decide 2 target substrate

Research theme 2: Collection, isolation, and culture of local phytoplankton Succeed on isolating 10 local phytoplankton.

Research theme 3: Needs survey for the improvement of living environmentpovertyhealth in developing countries and surrounding areas Enhancement of data base.

Research theme 4: Examination of approaches to environmental and economic education, consolidate collaboration system with international organizations for the education of local residents, recruitment of international students/trainees Select and decide counterparts.

  • Branding strategies

Public relations activities and information dissemination, on-campus/off-campus dissemination of the project Hold local briefing meetings.

Implementation plans

  • Research activities

Research theme 1: Analysis of waste/wastewater composition. Consideration of economic potential based on the results of waste/wastewater analysis together with local needs. Lab-scale anaerobic digestion experiment using selected waste/wastewater.

Research theme 2: Isolation and culture of indigenous phytoplankton, and evaluation of its nutrients removal ability.

Research theme 3: Field survey in developing countries and surrounding areas.

Research theme 4: Consider on workshop teaching materials for environmental / economic education. Explanation of the project to local residents, UN, NGO and NPO. Acceptance of international students to university and recruitment of trainees.

  • Branding strategies

Hosting local seminars of the project. Publicize information on official website and SNS. Project explanation at open campus. Announcement of research results in on-campus and off-campus.

2019

Goals

  • Research activities

Research theme 1: Design and construction of bench scale non-powered stirring methane fermentation tank suitable for the target areas. Increase decomposition efficiency by 20%.

Research theme 2: Selection of appropriate phytoplankton species from previously known and local species Selection of 2 promising phytoplankton species, design and construction of bench scale culture tank, examination of unit processes such as concentration / extraction / drying.

Research theme 3: Understand the issues to be solved and needs Selection of two candidate sites.

Research theme 4: Acceptance and training of local students Accept two graduate students.

  • Branding strategies

Public relations activities of the project on-campus and off-campus.

Implementation plans

  • Research activities

Research theme 1: Select and design bench scale methane fermentation tank.

Research theme 2: Exploration of functional substances contained in phytoplankton and evaluation of its production. Selection of phytoplankton species for large-scale cultivation by comparing the applicability with known species. Examination of whole process including anaerobic digester. Study the unit process such as the types and structure of culture tank, concentration, extraction, drying.

Research theme 3: Analysis of collected local information using data science etc.

Research theme 4: Accept and train international students.

  • Branding strategies

Hold on-campus and local Interim report meeting. Hold public symposium. Publicize information on official website and SNS. Project explanation at open campus. Presentation and publication of research outcomes.

2020

Goals

  • Research activities

Research theme 1: Construction and demonstration of bench scale methane fermentation tank stable operation for 4 months, and extraction and improvement of problems.

Research theme 2: Construction and demonstration of bench scale phytoplankton cultivation tank operation for 4 months, and extraction and improvement of problems.

Research theme 3: Manufacture and evaluation of products using valuables derived from the two-selected phytoplankton. Collaborative research development with local students trial manufacture of three kinds of processed products.

Research theme 4: Acceptance of local students. Implementation of training and Environmental and economic education. Continually accept two graduate students. Hold a local workshop.

  • Branding strategies

Public relations activities of the project. On-campus and off-campus dissemination of the project.

Implementation plans

  • Research activities

Research theme 1: Operation of bench scale methane fermentation tank.

Research theme 2: Operation of bench scale phytoplankton culture tank.

Research theme 3: Manufacture and evaluation of products using valuables derived from phytoplankton.

Research theme 4: Acceptance and training of local international students. Manufacture and evaluation of products using valuables derived from phytoplankton. Co-host and evaluate environmental and economic education workshops with UN and NGO etc.

  • Branding strategies

Hold on-campus and local briefing meetings. Media distribution (TV commercials, newspapers, etc.). Publicize information on official website and SNS. Explanation of the project at open campus. Presentation and publication of research outcomes.

2021

Goals

  • Research activities

Research theme 1 & 2: Economic evaluation of the overall system from waste/wastewater treatment to production of valuable resources.

Research theme 3 & 4: Establishment of international value chain based on developing countries and propose BOP business with the corporation of local residents, young entrepreneurs, students who received environmental and economic education through the project.

  • Branding strategies

Public relations activities of this project. On-campus / off-campus dissemination of this project. Hold public symposium.

Implementation plans

  • Research activities

Research theme 1 & 2: Economic evaluation of the overall system by LCA and LCC (environmental impact assessment and economic evaluation) based on the results of the demonstration experiments.

Research theme 3 & 4: Simulation of international value chain incorporating analysis results of collected information and propose to local entrepreneurs and Japanese companies operating locally.

  • Branding strategies

Hold on-campus and local final reporting meeting. Hold public symposium on the project outcomes. Publicize information on official website and SNS, Project explanation at open campus. Presentation and publication of research outcomes.