The Aquarium of the Pacific has partnered with XPrize on a project to find solutions addressing ocean health. The Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPrize is a $2 million competition to improve understanding of how carbon dioxide emissions are affecting ocean acidification. Engineers, scientists, and innovators will create pH sensor technology that will affordably, accurately, and efficiently measure ocean chemistry.
Eighteen teams have registered in the competition. After coastal trials in Seattle in February 2015 and sea trials in Hawaii in May, winners will be announced in July 2015. Teams participating in the Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE may compete for two available prize purses: the $1 million accuracy purse, based on performance, and the $1 million affordability purse based on cost and usability.
Prize sponsor Wendy Schmidt is the president of The Schmidt Family Foundation, where she works to advance the development of renewable energy and wiser use of natural resources.
Founded in 1995, XPRIZE is the leading organization solving the world’s Grand Challenges by creating and managing large-scale, high-profile, incentivized prizes in five areas: Learning; Exploration; Energy & Environment; Global Development; and Life Sciences. For more information about the Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health Prize, visit oceanhealth.xprize.org.