McGill University

AeroCellutions

Carolyn Denton, Olivia Cozariuc, Lorenzo Costello, Meenakshi Pillai, Liberté Vaudandaine, Emma Bryson, Emma Louie, Taylor Rakowski, Mannat Chandok, Graham Chapman, Emmett Olthuis, Anisa Hashemi, Samathar Senso

AeroCellutions tackles the environmental problem of oil spill cleanup by developing biodegradable sorbents as a sustainable alternative to plastic-based solutions. Conventional biological sorbent materials have historically been limited by their tendency to absorb water and sink, reducing their effectiveness. AeroCellutions overcomes this by engineering a hydrophobic sorbent that repels water while selectively absorbing oil, allowing it to remain buoyant and functional on water surfaces. By combining biodegradability with improved performance, the product addresses both the ecological harm caused by plastic sorbents and the functional shortcomings of previous natural alternatives, offering a more effective and environmentally responsible approach to oil spill remediation.

https://www.aerocellutions.com

https://www.instagram.com/aerocellutions.mcgill

McGill Biodesign is a student-led team led by Carolyn Denton and Cassidy Devereaux supported by academic advisor Sidney Omelon.

Sidney Omelon is an Associate Professor in McGill University's Material Engineering department. Her research focuses on improving efficiencies in material production, such as phosphorous, with projects in crystallization, vertebrate biomineralization, and carbonate chemistry.