DePIN Protocol For Scientific Data

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dr Bharat Harbham

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Erin Magennis

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

A DePIN protocol that authenticates data at source (eg via secure enclave signatures) and stores the data privately

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

N/A

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All Cardano code/integrations will be made public

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Science is facing a crisis.

What we consider truth may not actually be true.

70% of science can't be reproduced and as we move into an era of more AI generated articles and data this number may continue to rise. Science relies heavily on human honesty, but this is vulnerable to errors and intentional manipulation.

Help us build a scientific future we can verifiably trust in. 

Our protocol adds a machine-derived layer of trust to data from IoT devices. This means the data is designated as "trustworthy."

With generative AI being able to generate large authentic-looking data sets, this problem is going to get worse, and there needs to be a solution to "How can I trust the data?"

The core issue we aim to address is the lack of a reliable, tamper-proof data collection protocol in scientific experiments.

Proposed Solution:

• Causality Network is a chain agnostic protocol for IoT devices used in scientific experiments (such as wearables, EEG, bioreactors, blood test machines, environment sensors and more)
• It verifies data at source (eg, via secure enclave signatures)
• This means each data point has proof of its authenticity
• It stores this data privately via zK (on or off-chain)
• Data products are built on top (eg data marketplaces and analysis layers)

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Causality Network will significantly enhance the Cardano community by introducing a cutting-edge protocol for secure and verifiable data collection in scientific research.

It will have a significant impact:

Establish Cardano as a leader in DeSci by being one of the first chains supported in a foundational infrastructure project.

Enhance Cardano's Use Case in Scientific Communities: By successfully demonstrating how Cardano can solve significant issues like data authenticity, the project will attract scientific communities and institutions to adopt Cardano for secure, transparent, and reproducible scientific experiments. We will publish case studies and success stories on Cardano forums, in scientific journals, and at blockchain and scientific conferences. We will regularly update the community through blog posts, social media, and newsletters.

Drive Technological Innovation: Integrating advanced cryptographic methods with Cardano’s blockchain technology will push the boundaries of what's possible in both blockchain and scientific research, fostering innovation across disciplines.

Community Growth and Engagement: As the project involves a fellowship with scientists and developers, it will actively grow the Cardano community by bringing in experts from diverse fields such as Neurotech, Synthetic Biology, Biosecurity, and Longevity who may not have previously engaged with blockchain technologies.

Potential for New Partnerships and Collaborations: The visibility and credibility gained through this project could lead to new partnerships and collaborations between Cardano and academic institutions, research labs, and technology companies, further solidifying Cardano's position as a leader in blockchain solutions for complex real-world applications.

Encourage Further Research and Development on Cardano: The successful implementation of the MVP and subsequent integration in a partner lab will showcase the practical benefits of using Cardano, encouraging further research and use of the Cardano platform in various scientific and academic endeavors.

Strengthen Trust in Scientific Data: The project will provide a blockchain-based framework for ensuring the integrity and authenticity of scientific data, thereby increasing trust in research conducted within and through the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

The team have experience in science, web3 and building DeSci tooling.

For Context:

• Bharat and Erin are co-founders of MuseMatrix. They each have 2+ years of experience in DeSci.
• MuseMatrix is a decentralized research institute that applies Web3 tools to science and has an emphasis on cross-chain and chain-agnostic tooling
• Causality Network is one of the projects that the MuseMatrix Fellows will work on, so we will already have scientists and developers ready to tackle this problem.
• Bharat is a medical doctor with experience in academia, product development and web3.
• Bharat is the founder of DeSci London, the largest IRL DeSci community. They organise workshops, meetups, hackathons, and conferences. Cardano had a presence at their recent conference.
• Erin is a neuroscientist with experience in marketing, tech startups and web3
• Erin helped launch 18 science-tech ecosystems, led the DeSci Research Landscape Analysis, and is core team at the largest blockchain ecosystem in the Midwest (conference, monthly workshops, & hackathons)
• We have other proposals related to Cardano and DeSci, which we have linked.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

1. Months 1-2: Development of Blockchain Protocol

• Design and development of the initial blockchain protocol integrating zK proofs and secure enclave signatures.
• Completion of a prototype for data collection from IoT devices.

1. Months 3-4: Testing and Refinement

• Conduct field tests with IoT devices using Pioreactor and OpenBCI equipment.
• Analyze test data and refine cryptographic methods and blockchain integration based on feedback.

1. Month 5: Integration in a Partner Lab

• Implement the blockchain protocol in a chemistry lab in Colombia for end-to-end testing.
• Monitor and adjust the system based on real-world operational feedback.

Month 6: Finalization and MVP Presentation

• Final adjustments and optimizations to the protocol.
• Host a Demo Day to present the MVP to stakeholders and potential investors.
• Evaluate the project’s impact and plan next steps for scaling

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Bharat: LinkedIn, Twitter

Erin: LinkedIn, Twitter

• Project Lead (Bharat Harbham): Oversees the project, coordinates between team members and stakeholders, ensures project milestones are met.
• Erin: UX Lead/UX Designer: Leads user feedback and research efforts, designs effective tests, and oversees report and output communications.  
• We would need to find a Cardano technical lead.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

• Personnel (salaries for developers, researchers, and support staff): $30,000
• Technology (software, blockchain nodes, testing tools): $5,000
• IoT Devices and Equipment: $3,000
• Lab Integration and Field Testing: $4,000
• Travel and Accommodations: $2,000
• Marketing and Dissemination (including Demo Day expenses): $3,000
• Miscellaneous and Contingency: $3,000
• Total: $50,000

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Causality Network project offers significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem:

• Innovation: Introduces a novel use of blockchain for scientific data integrity, positioning Cardano at the forefront of blockchain applications in science.

• Skill Development: Enhances the capabilities of scientists and developers in using Cardano’s blockchain, increasing the skilled workforce within the ecosystem.

• New Tools and Protocols: Develops new tools and protocols that can be adopted by other projects within the Cardano ecosystem and cross-chain, multiplying the impact of the initial investment.

• Increased Credibility and Adoption: Demonstrates the utility of Cardano in critical real-world applications, potentially attracting new users and developers to the platform.

• Long-Term Impact: The successful implementation of this project could lead to significant long-term benefits, such as many institutes using the Cardano platform for scientific research