Argentinian students win Industria Inspira contest with sodium alginate water capsules

In Argentina, four students have won the Industria Inspira national contest for creating edible and biodegradable capsules that holding drinking water. Made of sodium alginate, the capsules hold about 40 mL of water and are ideal for sporting events and concerts where large amounts of water are needed and piles of single-use plastics are generated.

Inventors Camila Mercado, Simón Luna, Carlos Vargas, and Diego Guardia, who call the capsules Hidracaps, have also been dabbling with the conveyance for energy drinks.  The prize also grants them access to laboratory space to continue working on the project.