Prototypes for Humanity returns to Dubai later this month, showcasing some of the most inspiring and practical student-led innovations addressing urgent global challenges.
From November 18 to 21, the event will run alongside the Dubai Future Forum, bringing together professors and students from the Middle East and top institutions worldwide.
The event will feature groundbreaking innovations that offer real solutions to some of today’s most pressing issues, spanning areas including agriculture, energy, water and the environment.
Of the 2,700 global applications received, 100 standout projects have been selected to be
showcased during the four-day event at AREA 2071, Boulevard, Emirates Towers. On 19th November, the initiative will announce the top five exceptional innovators, who will share
between them an AED 360,000 prize pool to advance their research in critical areas.
‘Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity initiative provides a global platform that highlights the world’s most important innovations and embodies the significance of partnerships between government, private, and academic sectors,’ said Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation.
‘This collaboration supports talent and promising ideas while reinforcing the innovation ecosystem. The initiative’s launch, alongside the third edition of the Dubai Future Forum, underscores the importance of enhancing local, regional, and global partnerships to design a better future for communities worldwide.’
Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, Director of Prototypes for Humanity, said: ‘ Over the past decade, we have established the world’s largest network of academic talent, uniting over 20,000 professors from more than 800 universities across six continents. Together, we’re raising awareness of academia’s essential role in driving progress and collaboratively developing solutions that create tangible impacts on people’s lives.’
Ahead of this, The Ethicalist takes a look at some of the standout prototypes from previous Prototypes for Humanity events that offer a glimpse into the future of innovation for humanity.
Previous Prototypes for Humanity Projects
Oxara
Transforming construction waste into sustainable, low CO2 building materials
Oxara addresses construction’s environmental challenges by transforming excavation material and construction waste into sustainable building materials. The patented technology creates cement-free, low CO2 materials, reducing concrete’s CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent and reusing over 70 per cent of waste. Validated with Swiss industry concrete producers since 2019, Oxara aims to cut 1.2 billion tons of CO2 and reuse 1 billion tons of waste globally, while enabling the construction of affordable housing.
Splash
New Imaging Technology for Detecting Microplastics
New Imaging Technology for Detecting Microplastics
There’s a growing body of evidence about how widespread microplastics have become – across land, sea and air – and the impact they could be having on human health. To give some perspective, it is estimated that the average person can eat, drink or breathe between 78,000 and 211,000 microplastic particles every year. Splash uses advanced imaging and machine learning to detect microplastics in water and air quickly and accurately. This technology captures detailed images of microplastics, analysing their shape, transparency, and other features to identify them automatically. By making microplastic detection faster and more precise, Splash is a valuable tool in the fight against plastic pollution.
Beyond the Coffee Cup
Turning Coffee Waste into Sustainable Solutions
Each year, 416,000 tons of coffee waste pollute ecosystems and water sources, attracting pests and spreading disease. Beyond The Coffee Cup tackles this issue by transforming coffee farming waste into eco-friendly products like crop-growing bags, mushroom substrates – materials that plants or fungi can grow on or in -, and smoke pellets. By sourcing waste from coffee farmers, the initiative provides them with an extra income stream. This circular approach helps protect the environment, supports local communities, and promotes a more sustainable coffee industry.
Humanity Centre Designs
Turnkey Textile Recycling
In response to the growing problem of textile waste in India – the world’s second largest clothing manufacturing country, producing over 1600 tons of textile waste annually – Re-Tex (now Humanity Centre Designs) provides a recycling system designed for micro-manufacturers. This solution enables small producers to repurpose fabric waste into new materials, supporting a circular economy. By offering accessible recycling options, Re-Tex helps reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion industry and promotes sustainable production practices.
AIgreen
Sustainable Plastics from Agricultural Waste
Algreen has developed biobased polyurethanes made from agricultural waste and non-edible plant oils, providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional petrol-based plastics. Traditional polyurethanes make up about 8 per cent of global plastics, but Algreen’s version performs just as well, is fully recyclable, and commercially viable. With just a 1 per cent market replacement, these biobased polyurethanes could cut 88 billion kilograms of CO2 emissions each year by 2029.
Waste to Disinfectant
Transforming Food Waste into Sustainable Aerosol Disinfectants
Waste to Disinfectants transforms by-products from industrial food production – like broad bean shells, brewery residues, and coffee waste – into sustainable disinfectants. These natural extracts are carefully tested for antibacterial properties, particularly against harmful bacteria like Listeria and Salmonella. The project has developed an aerosol disinfectant using advanced technology, which effectively targets bacteria, yeast, and mold in controlled environments. With further testing and scaling planned, this innovative approach aims to bring an environmentally friendly disinfectant to the commercial market.
AkoFresh
Solar-Powered Cold Storage
A staggering 30-50 per cent of food is wasted due to lack of adequate storage causing economic instability for farmers in developing countries and damage to the environment. AkoFresh offers a sustainable solution to a major agricultural challenge: post-harvest food loss. This solar-powered cold storage system helps small-scale farmers in regions without reliable electricity access keep their produce fresh, significantly reducing spoilage and food waste. By extending shelf life and preventing losses, AkoFresh not only supports food security but also boosts the income of local farming communities.
Circular Steam
Energy-Saving Cooking Appliance
Cooking in open dishes where steam and heat are lost wastes valuable energy and does not produce optimally nutritious meals. Circular Steam redefines energy efficiency in cooking with its steam-based appliance that stores energy for later use. This innovative device allows users to cook meals without continuously consuming electricity, saving both energy and cost. Circular Steam’s design is especially valuable for communities striving for sustainability, offering a practical way to reduce daily energy demands.
Air Pollution App
Advancing Urban Air Equality with an App
The Air Pollution App is a new digital tool designed to tackle air pollution and highlight environmental inequalities in cities. By analysing data on air quality and how pollution affects different neighborhoods, the app helps city officials and citizens understand where improvements are most needed. Developed in Lisbon, the app uses maps and easy-to-read data to show problem areas, making it accessible for everyone. It’s part of a bigger effort to use technology to make cities healthier, more equal, and better for everyone.
Seaweed Foam
Organic, Biodegradable Packaging from Seaweed
Seaweed Foam is an innovative packaging solution that tackles synthetic waste using entirely organic ingredients – just seaweed and water. Unlike alternatives made from food sources like corn starch, Seaweed Foam is crafted from renewable marine resources and coastal seaweed waste, providing a sustainable option for packaging, cushioning, and even padding in backpacks and helmets. This biodegradable material can be composted at home, used as fertiliser, or left to decompose naturally, leaving no harmful impact on the environment.
