<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-06-22T07:57:45Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/53009C6F-7FF9-4BAE-80FB-0F02382A26A7" ns1:id="53009C6F-7FF9-4BAE-80FB-0F02382A26A7"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/003BC478-1194-4537-87B3-36D926479AD7" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/6564FA96-D8BD-4596-B723-D8ACD5DD3D51" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/6564FA96-D8BD-4596-B723-D8ACD5DD3D51" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2025-04-29T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/10A00A07-CD1B-47A8-808B-6DC72731A2AB" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2023-12-01T00:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">10084440</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>A water-soluble computer: Abacus Soludegrade Industrial Research</ns2:title><ns2:status>Closed</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Collaborative R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>Pentaform, is a UK-based net-zero electronics SME. Our team has previously worked with Marc Newson, Apple and built digital products that have been used by +1 million users.

Pentaform has experience taking complex projects from ideation, R&amp;amp;D, Production and commercialisation. Launched the biggest Hardware UK kickstarter of 2022 and featured on Techcrunch, Tech Radar, HypeBeast, etc. Won Top Tech Award of Computer America.

E-waste is responsible for 70% of global toxic waste, with 90% of the refuse attributable to non-biodegradable epoxy glass laminate and plastic to house appliances. The resulting emissions lead to 1M premature deaths and cost the UK government &amp;pound;82.9M each year. While biodegradable alternatives exist, their disposal brings prohibitive costs regarding the time and process involved. This problem is especially impactful for poorer rural communities close to landfills, such as those in the West Midlands.

Pentaform is developing a 90% biodegradable computer that is resilient for regular use and can be dissolved in water once the technology reaches the end of its lifecycle. Its product, the Abacus Soludegrade, will use 75% less electricity and create 90% less e-waste compared to traditional brands. Furthermore, it will be offered at a lower price point that will make technology accessible to people in need of workforce training and upskilling. The disposal process, which can be accomplished in a consumer's own home, will also enable recovery from the &amp;pound;370M in lost precious materials each year, such as gold, copper and aluminium.

The core value to customers is computers that are ready to use, affordable and sustainable. Given that the UK's Circular Economy Package includes a target to recycle 65% of municipal waste by 2035, the Abacus Soludegrade will be an important innovation to help save money and reduce environmental waste.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>