Porrima is currently in difficulty following technical problems. We will inform you about the situation and the solutions we could have provided.
Porrima
On the way to the blue odyssey
The ship, now named Porrima, was born in 2010 under the name SolarPlanet. Covered with solar technologies on its deck, its goal was to demonstrate that this renewable energy could make it sail through the oceans, in total autonomy. A goal successfully achieved!
Then, in partnership with “Race for Water” foundation, the boat choosed the mission to measure the general state of the planet’s oceans, by integrating new equipment such as Skysails, a technology to help propel the boat by windforce.
The Skysails has been completed by another technology linked to hydrogen: a first installation still in prototype but already able to provide, with sea water and solar radiation as energy, up to 10% of the energy necessary for the propulsion of the ship.
At the end of 2021, the ship will leave Osaka, pass through the World Expo in Dubai and then reach Kenitra in Morocco to install the latest technologies designed for it and readapt its structure, an essential step to prepare the Blue Odyssey. Then the ship will sail around the Mediterranean before sailing on the oceans of the planet in 2023. In 2025, you will be able to meet the ship at Osaka World Expo.
We want to make this trip and this story famous, in order to become a formidable vector of hope and knowledge!
The boat is now entering a new phase of its life, and although it is once again about to undergo a facelift with cutting-edge innovations, we want it to carry the philosophy of the blue economy, synonymous of hope and wisdom. Indeed, cherishing life and looking to the future is also about learning, understanding and being responsible.
This is why it now bears the name of Porrima: a goddess with a vision of the future and protector of pregnant women in Roman mythology.
Plastic report
Emergency figures
Today, a child borns with 15 times more microplastics in his body than a 50-year-old adult. The new findings prove that microplastics cross the placental barrier and disrupt the development of newborns.
In our current environment, an adult ingests an average of 2000 micro particles of plastic per week. It is the equivalent of a credit card, that is to say 5 grams. Over a year, this represents more than 250 grams…
Microplastics are silently penetrating our bodies.
The problem is invisible, but no less present: harmful and sometimes toxic additives are released into our oceans before spreading everywhere.
Our philosophy is to put all our energy on concrete solutions which can be measured.
History of the logo
The third paradise
It is first of all the story of an artist, Michelangelo Pistoletto, who marked the art with innovations like painting on mirrors but who also let speak his dimension of philosopher beyond his painting.
His observations led him to note that throughout history, the symbol of infinity is omnipresent: a lying 8. He symbolized the first circle as being the one of the past, the second representing the future. At the center of this, the present is only a small point (the intersection of the past and the future). This representation suggests that we are limited by a present that remains too ephemeral to act.
Michelangelo preferred to leave room for the present, representing it with a third space.
It is this space of the present that allows us, as human beings, to create, act, change things.
If the present is only ephemeral in our mind, in our philosophy, it is useless.
The human being must create in his mind, in his philosophy, this space so that it becomes an opportunity to act, imagine, realize, create a paradise.
By appropriating a variation of this symbol, we wished to add the symbols of life with which we interact daily (hydrogen, whales, flowers, vegetables), as well as the tools and knowledge that we have at our disposal today (robots, manufactured objects).
Together, we wish to create the space of the present to imagine the future, while keeping the awareness of the past.
Technologies
Inspired by nature
Sound filtration
How listen to all sounds in water, isolate a fish’s heartbeat and determine its size and location, just like sharks do? Porrima will embark a new system developed by dr. Jorge Reynolds, great scientist and whale watcher for 50 years. It is him who organized, with the help of thousands of headphones, the concerts of whale songs “taken on the spot” live from the Pacific and broadcasted at the World Fair in Hanover in 2000.
Curtains of algae
How do algae capture CO2, create a safe haven for juvenile fish and absorb microplastics to produce gas and fertilizer? Again, we can take inspiration from this technology to improve our environment.
We have delivered the proof that algal curtains are recycling barriers for micro-plastics. The small pieces of plastic between 0.2 cm and 300 microns are absorbed by marine plants and thanks to their fermentation (during their composting under water), the micro-plastics are released and destroyed.
Underwater forecasts
How make marine weather predictions differently than with conventional measurement tools? Using the techniques of BIOceanOr, a start-up created by Charlotte and Samuel Dupont who have developed a connected underwater weather station. It allows the analysis of water quality in real time and by prediction, usingsubmerged tools that continuously observe fifteen parameters in the ocean.
The wind as an engine
Years old toys serving clean energy
Porrima is equipped with the latest Skysails technology that allows the boat to move forward thanks to wind traction. The Skysails technology is a kite connected by a cable that will use the force of the wind, coupled with a yo-yo system that creates energy through the back and forth of the sail.
This allows to have a physical traction (with a classic sail) while also having an energy generation.
At the same time, when the kite is running, the propellers are reversed and generate electricity for a double energy production.
The model that currently equips Porrima only allows the sail to cover about ten degrees of angle. The next modifications will allow it to reach 180° of angle, thanks to the installation of self-retracting daggers.
Origami
Inspired by the Japanese techniques of Origami or the famous Swiss Army Knife, Porrima’s interior is optimized to combine tools, space and technology in the smallest avalaible area. All the furniture is multifunctional and the VIP lounge is designed to produce spirulina, Kombucha and mushrooms.
3D vision systems
Porrima will be the first platform for 3D underwater image production. The technology implemented is inspired by the way our eyes work when activated by photons in front of a screen. These are the first 3D vision systems developed by Shawn Frayne’s team at Looking Glass Factory.
The boat will be the first full 3D image sensor creating the next generation visual programs presenting life as it is, in 3D.
New energies
How to use sea water, sun and wind to produce drinking water and electricity by drawing inspiration from ecosystems? Porrima integrates a hydrogen energy system from salt water, combined with the destruction of nano-plastics possible thanks to high temperature vacuum pyrolysis. The ship also generates energy through the use of a Skysails kite that combines three great innovations in history: the kite, the jojo and the cuckoo clock.
The last one allows to modulate the wind force to a stable energy.
Communicating through light
Adaptation of Li-Fi technology for underwater communication
LIFI
Communication between divers has always been complex. Sign language has long been the only way to exchange basic information underwater. Moreover, underwater communication is not always possible, due to the lack of visibility.
Here again, an innovation can make a difference. Prof. Suat Topsu and his team have developed a mint green LED to ensure optimal light penetration into the water. The LiFi diving mask uses the light from this LED to transmit the voice from one diver to another. This makes it possible to talk to the diver with whom eye contact has been established.
This fluid and intuitive interaction mode does not require any manual action. It also facilitates exchanges between the divers and the crew.
As with sign language, the maximum communication distance is currently about 2.5 to 3.5 m depending on the clarity of the water.
On the waves
On the way to a new look
After ten years of navigation and in order to remain at the cutting edge of technology, Porrima is ready for a one-year technical stopover, in order to be rehabilitated and equipped with the new technologies designed for its expeditions.
Porrima returns to the quay with already a great experience behind her, as much from the solar point of view with her panels as in the sailing with her Skysails. Since technology has progressed a lot in the last ten years, we can now do even more and adapt our equipment to the latest developments.
Concerning the Skysails technology, the kite can currently only be used on a 30° angle. Once the modifications will be made, it will be possible to use it on 180° and then increase its efficiency and energy generation.
A thruster reversal system will also be installed and be used when the boat is being pulled by the wind, so that the thrusters can also generate power and convert it into hydrogen.
Finally, the engineers will install a retractable panel that will make it easier to follow the position of the kite.
In order to support the weight of the additional technologies, the Porrima floats will be extended by five meters.
The excess energy created on board will allow the development of dolphin-inspired fishing using air bubble curtains. The dolphins are able to select the size of the fish they catch which naturally preserves the surrogate mothers and guarantees a sustainable fishing. An example we will follow as soon as technology permits!
We hope that these new implementations can also be shared with new generations by bringing these technologies to the general public.
We want to inspire entrepreneurs of the common good.
For this, Porrima will be at the rendez-vous of many international gatherings to discuss issues related to the oceans, plastics, technologies and much more. A perfect opportunity to meet the public, dreamers, children, entrepreneurs and researchers!
Porrima’s objective is to inspire the world with “proof by action”, i.e. a concrete and adapted demonstration of a technological revolution, in order to prove its efficiency and relevance to the general public.
Follow us on social networks to follow the route!
A collaboration
A project driven by numbers
Message from the President
Gunter Pauli
We believe that a new generation of entrepreneurs can and will play a key role in changing society. Science and technology inspired by nature will inspire this new class of engineers.
Today, Porrima’s teams focus solely on inventions and innovations that will serve the common good. The MS Porrima, an experimental ship, is a very effective tool that we will be able to use for decades to serve the entrepreneurial spirit. The shape and look of this 36-meter catamaran, which embraces many innovations as if it were a community – and which has already circumnavigated the globe three times – have a unique appeal.
This experimental ship embodies many of our favorite technologies. However, this ship is more than a demonstration of renewable energies ranging from solar (540 square meters) to artificial intelligence kite (capturing permanent wind up to 800 meters), through hydrogen made from sea water. He is a change maker. These technologies are designed and continuously improved by a network of scientists who have been collaborating since 1994. They are committed to the philosophy of zero emissions, a pragmatic approach to today’s environmental issues and the realization of innovative projects, known as the blue economy.
The members of the board
Gunter
Pauli
Gunter is the founder of the Porrima Foundation, lecturer and author of the book The Blue Economy, translated into several languages. He works for the development of this new philosophy inspired by nature in order to bring pragmatic solutions to current issues. He also invests in education by writing fables to inspire the next generation to think with and through nature.
Laurent
Maire
Me Laurent Maire has been practicing as a lawyer for a quarter of a century. He founded MCE Avocats 20 years ago, which is now present in all the linguistic regions of Switzerland as well as internationally. Active mainly in corporate law. Very active in the cultural milieu and involved in sustainable development.
Davor
Pavuna
Davor is one of the leading scientists in post quantum physics proposals. He is a great promoter of the work of Nikola Tesla, whose worldwide foundation he manages from Switzerland. This same foundation develops initiatives from the great scientist and inventor in his hometown.
Eric
Sarasin
Eric has made the wish, after a long international career in the banking sector, to put his skills and resources at the service of projects with a great environmental impact.
Adriana
Marais
Adriana is present at a high level in several fields: recognized athlete, doctor in quantum physics, candidate for the missions on Mars. She directs the ProudlyHumans foundation with which she prepares teams for the trip to Mars.
An international initiative
The Porrima ship project and the Blue Innovation structure are a Swiss initiative supported by many countries, including Japan. The Saraya company is also a key partner in the project, working to create ecological alternatives around the world.
The experiences learned and the technologies implemented during his odyssey around the world will be reported and promoted in Japan by NHK, the national radio and television channel of Japan which broadcasts in Japanese, Chinese and English.
