The Clinic Effect is a new series, where we highlight current and past IP Innovation Clinic clients from our 15-year history of helping advance IP sophistication and support in Ontario and across Canada.
When you think of public art, what comes to mind? If you did not say carbon capture, you would not be alone. Yet that is exactly what Vladimir Kanic, a PhD student at 첥Ƶ, is developing. A transdisciplinary artist and the founder of Algyy Cleantech, Vladimir is redefining art’s role in society by creating living systems that clean the air we breathe.
“My work bridges art, science, and biotechnology, addressing environmental challenges through carbon-capturing public art installations and carbon-negative construction materials.”
- Vladimir Kanic
The Innovation
Vladimir’s latest project, “Growing Smart Cities with Living Algae Systems”, transforms public spaces into carbon-capturing ecosystems through living algae sculptures. They serve as functional artwork that can convert atmospheric carbon into breathable oxygen. Vladimir also developed algal bioconcrete, a carbon-negative construction material using algae that turns atmospheric carbon into a stone-like substance.
“My living art assumes an unusual function; it moves beyond aesthetics to operate as environmental technology, redefining the role of art as a living system, a tool for repair, and a model for regenerative design.”
- Vladimir Kanic
The Problem
Cities generate over 70% of global carbon emissions1, and the existing carbon capture technologies only remove 0.01% of these emissions.2 Currently, methods such as tree planting require vast tracts of land and decades to be effective, making them impractical for urban environments. Algae, however, are the planet’s principal carbon-capturing biotech.3 They can grow rapidly anywhere, and cities have many underutilized public spaces that could be transformed into algae farms or carbon-capturing art sites.
The Impact
Vladimir’s work has the potential to improve urban air quality and support climate-resilient infrastructure by transforming public spaces and architecture into carbon-capturing systems. This innovation advances multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action, sustainable cities, and green innovation. According to Vladimir, the primary audience for this work includes cities, real-estate developers, sustainable corporations, and city residents impacted by air pollution and climate-related threats.
“Cities benefit by gaining practical, visually appealing solutions that transform urban pollution into sustainable resources, creating healthier communities, increased resilience against climate impacts, and opportunities for generating carbon credits and passive revenue.”
-Vladimir Kanic
The IP
For Vladimir, the IP Innovation Clinic at 첥Ƶ has played a crucial role in supporting his journey. He refers to the Clinic as an “essential platform that benefits every student involved in research and innovation.”
“[The IP Innovation Clinic] has clarified complex intellectual property matters, strategized my patent filing approach, significantly eased the administrative and financial burden, allowing me to focus on innovation and research. ”
-Vladimir Kanic
The Next Steps...
Vladimir and Algyy Cleantech are currently seeking:
- Collaborators
- Sustainability-focused investors
- Research institutions and urban policymakers
As the work expands, it could create green jobs in algae cultivation, biofabrication, and system maintenance, while generating long-term revenue through carbon credits, licensing, and public commissions.
To learn more or connect, please reach out to idea@vladimirkanic.com. You can view Vladimir’s work on and .
- World Economic Forum.Net Zero Carbon Cities: Home. World Economic Forum Initiative. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from. ↩︎
- David Suzuki Foundation,Why Carbon Capture and Storage Is Not a Real Climate Solution, January 2026. ↩︎
- Käse, Laura andGeuer, Jana K., Phytoplankton Responses to Marine Climate Change – An Introduction, 2018. ↩︎