UK-China Agritech Challenge: Aquaculture 4.0 -- Advancing Digital Precision Aquaculture in China (ADPAC)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
The project aims to advance digital precision aquaculture in China towards "Aquaculture 4.0", which is a highly connected and automated cyber-human-physical system using digital technologies. Aquaculture production in China reached 45.5 million tonnes in 2014 (60%+ of world's production, UN FAO). The grand challenge is the extremely low production efficiency, leading to high labour intensity, high energy/water consumption and environment pollution. Innovation is urgently needed for a transformation to digital industrialised aquaculture. The proposal is a timely response to the needs; it will apply and integrate the latest technologies of advanced sensors, 5G-based Internet of Things, Big Data analytics and automation to pilot highly digital precision aquaculture in China. The system is expected to deliver 10-fold increase in production efficiency. The project will open new business opportunities, gaining a competitive advantage by entering the Chinese market at this critical time and by partnering with the key innovators in Chinese aquaculture represented in this consortium. The solution will be also applicable to aquaculture worldwide opening up additional revenue stream.
Planned Impact
Outside academia, the immediate beneficiaries will be the industrial partners in the consortium, in terms of new business opportunities and economic benefits. Beyond the consortium, primary stakeholders of the technology in China will benefit from the innovation, including aquafarm operators and investors, government (central and provincial), research institutions, developers of digital technologies for aquaculture, aquaculture workforce and the general public. Aquafarms, as end-user of the technology, will benefit from substantially improvement in production efficiency through real time process monitoring, analytics and automation. The transition from traditional small-scale labour intensive to modern digital aquaculture has been a priority of the Ministry of Agriculture, China, as well as provincial government agencies; this project is perfectly aligned with such initiative. A wide range of research institutions and commercial providers will benefit from this project, including those focused on aquaculture technology, sensors, wireless communication, IoT, cloud-computing and big data analytics. Finally, the aquaculture workforce will benefit in terms of reduced work intensity and improved work conditions and thus welfare. The general public will benefit from a sustainable supply of aquatic animals as key source of protein (aquaculture currently provides 1/3 of animal protein intake in China), food security and safety, as well as alleviated environmental impact.
In addition to the above primary beneficiaries, UK-based research organisations and industries will also benefit from this work, especially those in manufacturing where IoT applications are particularly relevant (e.g. car manufacturing, pharmaceutical, speciality chemical, consumer goods, etc.). It should be noted that the UK applicants have long-standing collaboration with these key manufacturing sectors, providing the basis of technology transfer between different applications. The sensors and remote monitoring methods will also be of interest to environmental applications, providing benefits to the general public in terms of sustainable ecosystems.
Furthermore, this innovation project synergises with the priorities of the UK government to reach out and collaborate with emerging economies, in this case China. The economic benefits to the UK business partners are likely to translate to more employment. Finally, the generic public will benefit from the knowledge and awareness of the cutting-edge research. The increased awareness of how digital technologies can innovate an apparently traditional sector (aquaculture) could help motivate the younger generation to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), contributing to future economic development and sustained success of the knowledge economy in the UK.
In addition to the above primary beneficiaries, UK-based research organisations and industries will also benefit from this work, especially those in manufacturing where IoT applications are particularly relevant (e.g. car manufacturing, pharmaceutical, speciality chemical, consumer goods, etc.). It should be noted that the UK applicants have long-standing collaboration with these key manufacturing sectors, providing the basis of technology transfer between different applications. The sensors and remote monitoring methods will also be of interest to environmental applications, providing benefits to the general public in terms of sustainable ecosystems.
Furthermore, this innovation project synergises with the priorities of the UK government to reach out and collaborate with emerging economies, in this case China. The economic benefits to the UK business partners are likely to translate to more employment. Finally, the generic public will benefit from the knowledge and awareness of the cutting-edge research. The increased awareness of how digital technologies can innovate an apparently traditional sector (aquaculture) could help motivate the younger generation to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), contributing to future economic development and sustained success of the knowledge economy in the UK.
Publications
Li D
(2019)
Nonintrusive methods for biomass estimation in aquaculture with emphasis on fish: a review
in Reviews in Aquaculture
Li D
(2019)
Application of Graphene-Based Materials for Detection of Nitrate and Nitrite in Water-A Review.
in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Li D
(2020)
Automatic counting methods in aquaculture: A review
in Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Bandyopadhyay P
(2020)
Are Scientific Models of Life Testable? A Lesson from Simpson's Paradox
in Sci
Eze E
(2020)
Dissolved Oxygen Forecasting in Aquaculture: A Hybrid Model Approach
in Applied Sciences
Li W
(2020)
Pattern Matching and Active Simulation Method for Process Fault Diagnosis
in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Zhou L
(2020)
Prediction and Uncertainty Propagation for Completion Time of Batch Processes Based on Data-Driven Modeling
in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Li W
(2020)
Transfer learning for process fault diagnosis: Knowledge transfer from simulation to physical processes
in Computers & Chemical Engineering
Li W
(2020)
Process fault diagnosis with model- and knowledge-based approaches: Advances and opportunities
in Control Engineering Practice
Description | A new adaptive filtering-based soft sensor method for real-time estimation of total nitrogen concentration in aquaponic system is proposed. This method provides accurate prediction for total nitrogen concentration by integrating mechanistic model, online measurements (e.g. fish biomass, temperature) and infrequent offline measurement. Several new algorithms to analyse aquaculture production data, including water environmental parameters and fish growth, to support decision making. |
Exploitation Route | Publication in journals; Dissemination via conference presentations and project website; Demonstration at the partner fisheries. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |
Description | The new machine learning and process modelling methods, as well as case studies have been adapted by an engineering consulting company in the consortium for improving their process optimisation methods, and demonstration to their customers beyond aquaculture (e.g., in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturing sectors). The new data analytics algorithms have helped the sensor company in the consortium to better understand how to predict time series change of environmental parameters based on their sensors. This sensor company has further expanded their customer base in aquaculture and environmental monitoring, facilitated by the activities in this project. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | A educational development for postgraduate |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | A postgraduate of University of Surrey is cultivated by this award. He mainly focuses on the nutrient modelling of an aquaponic farming. This award provides an opportunity for postgraduate to learn the aquaponic system and know about the modelling technology. The educational and skill level of postgraduate is improved. |
Description | Online training workshop on academic writing and publication |
Geographic Reach | Asia |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Professor Yanqing Duan run an online training workshop on "Writing for Academic publications". The workshop was attended by about 20 postgraduate researchers and academic staff members in China Agriculture University. The interactive workshop covered areas of Why publish in high quality journals? Which journal to target? How to write the paper for your chosen journal? What's the reviewing process? How to revise your paper and write your response letter?. As an associate editor of two leading academic journals, Prof Duan shared her editorial experience and relevant examples in delivering the training sessions and addressing many questions from the participants. The feedback from participant were very positive. it confirmed that the workshop helped the participants to develop better understanding on the importance of demonstrating the research rigor and significance in preparing high quality research publications and improved their academic writing skills for future academic publications. |
Description | Data driven modelling and optimisation of aquaculture processes |
Amount | € 5,350 (EUR) |
Funding ID | AE170007 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 07/2020 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | GCRF AgriFood Africa Innovation Awards Round 3 |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | Soilless Cultivation for Rapid Bioenergy Feedstock Production |
Amount | £4,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2022 |
End | 03/2025 |
Title | A Hybrid Water Quality Time Series Prediction Model Approach |
Description | The novel hybrid water quality prediction method with ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD)-based LSTM (long short-term memory) neural network enables the sensor data integrity to be improved through linear interpolation and moving average filtering methods of data preprocessing. The EEMD algorithm is applied to decompose the original sensor data into multiple intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The feature selection is used to carefully select IMFs that strongly correlate with the original sensor data, and integrate both into inputs for the neural network. Then, the novel hybrid EEMD-based LSTM forecasting model is constructed. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The novel research method demonstrated a positive impact in terms of improved water quality prediction accuracy. |
URL | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/20/7079 |
Title | CTG Trilux sensors Dataset/Collection of data from Meteor Data Cloud |
Description | The Dataset/Collection of data comprises of Turbidity, CHL470, and CHL530. The CHL470 channel measures chlorophyll fluorescence from direct excitation of chlorophyll so should correlate well with phytoplankton biomass in general. The CHL530 channel measures chlorophyll fluorescence from the excitation of an accessory pigment that is found in cyanobacteria. Under normal conditions with no cyanobacteria present, there's likely to be a low level of CHL530 fluorescence emission that tracks with the CHL470 emission as chlorophyll does absorb some green light (at 530nm). |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Data analysis and modelling for the development of multi-variate water quality prediction model. |
URL | https://telemetry-data.com/viewer2 |
Description | University of Surrey - China Agricultural University CSC Joint PhD training programme |
Organisation | China Agricultural University (CAU) |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This BBSRC project has catalysed a new collaboration on joint PhD training with the China Agricultural University in the area of digital agriculture, funded by the China Scholarship Council. The programme runs for 3 years starting from 2020, each year sending 4-7 PhD students to the University of Surrey to conduct full-time PhD research as Surrey registered students, with collaborative supervision by academics in the China Agricultural University. |
Collaborator Contribution | Supervision time, access to experimental facilities, funding (via the China Scholarship Council). |
Impact | Joint publications, joint bids for new funding opportunities, in addition to growing a critical mass of research at Surrey in the area of digital and circular agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | A workshop on promoting the adoption of smart aquaculture technologies among Brazilian artisanal fish farmers in Santa Catarina |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Professor Yanqing Duan introduced ADPAC project and talked about precision Aquaculture using smart digital technologies in an one day workshop in Brazil on18 February 2020. The workshop aimed to promote the adoption of digital technologies among artisanal fish farmers in Brazil by a British Council Newton Fund programme. It was attended by fish farmers, undergraduate students, government support officers, and IT service providers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | ADPAC project meeting, Beijing China |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr Tahmina Ajmal made a presentation titled "Novel Digital Technologies for Aquaculture" at ADPAC project meeting, which was held on 19th October 2019 at Beijing, China. The project meeting was heavily attended by all the partnering industries and instuttitions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | ADPAC skype meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | ADPAC skype meeting is held every one and a half months. In the meeting, all the partners from China and UK will give the presentation to show research progress and work plan. The faced problems are dicussed to push improvement. The skype meeting improves the communications among the partners from different countries and makes sure the implementation of work plan. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | An online workshop on AI in Agriculture and Aquaculture: A Decision-Making Perspective |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Professor Yanqing Duan run an online workshop on AI in Agriculture and Aquaculture from A Decision-Making Perspective in December 2020. The workshop was attended by about 20 postgraduate researchers and staff in China Agriculture University (CAU). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | BISC Research Webinar on Making Research Impact |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The seminar focussed on how our externally funded projects are making research impact in practice. The seminar was attended by about 15 to 40 persons that are participating in various funded projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | International Symposium on Water Ecology and Environment |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr Tahmina Ajmal was invited to present her research at the International Symposium on Water Ecology and Environment. The invited talk titled "Tools for Precision Aquaculture" was based on ADPAC research activities. The event was attended by over 100 participants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://www.confiswee.com/#/aboutIsweeKeynoteSpeakers |
Description | Online workshop on AI Applications in Agriculture and Aquaculture: Understanding Critical Success Factors |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | AI applications in Agriculture and aquaculture faces many challenges and barriers. This workshop focused on understanding the critical success factors from theoretical and practical perspectives. After an introduction to AI applications using case studies, over 20 Participants worked in groups to discuss the critical factors affecting the success of AI applications in general, and in the context of agriculture and aquaculture in China in particular. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Precision Aquaculture Designed for Sustainability |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Keynote address at International E-conference on Aquaculture and Marine Biology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://unitedresearchforum.com/aquaculture-conference/ |
Description | Smart Food Factory Online Conference & Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr Tahmina Ajmal presented an invited talk titled "Using Digital Technology in reducing food waste". This online conference and exhibition, which was held on 10th of September 2020, investigated what future food factories will look like and how current issues should be addressed to realise this vision. The conference and exhibition was attended by participants the ranged between 50 and 100 persons. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://hopin.com/events/smart-food-factory-online-conference-exhibition |
Description | Technical visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | The project members from UK including University of Surrey, University of Bedfordshire, Chelsea Technologies Group Ltd and Perceptive Engineering Ltd visited the Laizhou mingbo aquatic products co. Ltd and Ocean University of China. They discussed the related technical problems and further knew about the practical aquaculture production. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Technical visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | The project members Dr. Hui Li from University of Surrey visited the Laizhou mingbo aquatic products co. Ltd. She discussed the related technical problems with the workers from mingbo and the researchers from China Agricultural University to know about the practical aquaculture production. Some practical production data and information were collected and analyzed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Towards a sustainable precision aquaculture in South Africa - The role of Digital Technologies |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | More than 30 people working in aquaculture industry attended the training workshop |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |