The Blue Economy is rapidly emerging as a space where environmental science and innovation intersect to address urgent sustainability issues. Within this field, NC State students Anjum Shafiullahkhan (below right), a junior in chemical engineering, and Allison File (below left), a graduate student in mechanical engineering, are conducting research that explores new ways to harness and protect ocean resources. 

While their projects focus on different challenges, both are driven by a commitment to sustainability. From advancing wave energy technology to transforming nuisance seaweeds into biodegradable plastics, their work demonstrates a growing need for innovation within the Blue Economy and highlights the valuable contributions of student researchers. 

Building understanding of sustainability challenges

Both students’ interests in the Blue Economy are reflected in their enrollment in MEA 493/591: Interdisciplinary Innovation in the Blue Economy, a course that explores sustainability issues affecting marine ecosystems.

As someone researching marine energy, File was interested in this course to learn more about the Blue Economy and how marine energy could be integrated to support these efforts and fulfill power needs. Meanwhile, Shafiullahkhan was drawn to the course through her long-term goal of working with marine ecosystems and organisms, along with a strong interest in all things “blue.” 

Through MEA 493/591, students examined various aspects of the Blue Economy, including aquaculture, marine carbon dioxide removal and marine spatial planning, while also learning about the current challenges and needs within the field. The course then gradually shifts from learning about the Blue Economy to developing innovative solutions to address specific challenges. 

Perspectives from the Blue Economy Workshop

The Blue Economy Workshop in Morehead City further built on this foundation, bringing together students and thought leaders to engage with real-world challenges in marine and coastal environments. Among the participants were File and Shafiullahkhan, whose interests span sustainable materials and marine energy.

For File, the experience reinforced that technological advancement is only one piece of the puzzle. “While the technology aspect is certainly important, it is first imperative to take the time to speak with community members and leaders, as they are the ones who would be ultimately impacted by this technology,” File said. 

Shafiullahkhan similarly left the workshop with a broader understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship. Rather than viewing innovation as the creation of something entirely new, she came to see it as a creative process of building upon existing ideas. “It is rarely ‘what brand new thing that no one has seen before can solve this problem?'” she said. “It is more ‘what different things can we blend to create a more desirable result that no one has seen before?,’” mentioned Shafiullahkhan. 

Applying customer discovery through I-Corps

The emphasis on stakeholder engagement and customer discovery did not end with the workshop. Both File and Shafiullahkhan have continued to explore these ideas through NC State’s Regional I-Corps Program, a month-long course aimed at helping researchers determine whether a technology has the potential for commercialization. 

Through customer discovery interviews and mentorship from entrepreneurial experts, both students gained valuable insights into the needs of potential users and markets. Those conversations revealed to File a growing need for reliable power at sea, particularly for scientific data buoys and other Blue Economy applications. 

Meanwhile, Shafiullahkhan’s team, Blufilm, leveraged the Regional I-Corps Program to better understand how biodegradable films and plastics derived from nuisance seaweeds can address sustainability challenges while meeting customer needs. Through interviews with stakeholders across multiple industries, she has gained a deeper appreciation for the value of customer discovery. “It is really fascinating to talk to so many different sectors of the market and see what perspectives we’re missing or never considered,” said Shafiullahkhan. 

Like many entrepreneurial ventures, the customer discovery process came with its own challenges. Both students cited securing interviews within a limited timeframe as one of the most significant obstacles faced. Despite these difficulties, both File and Shafiullahkhan found support through the I-Corps network of mentors and participants. Shafiullahkhan noted that “the other teams and mentors in the program have given us a lot of contacts and personal connections to reach out to,” helping her team build momentum as the program progressed. 

Future paths in sustainability 

Although their research focuses on different challenges, both students envision futures rooted in sustainability. File is interested in supporting wave energy development through a career at a Department of Energy national laboratory, while Shafiullahkhan hopes to pursue graduate research in sustainable energy and materials. Both remain committed to advancing solutions that protect and preserve our environment.