Under the coordination of Mersin University (MEÜ) Technology Transfer Office (TTO), and chaired by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hakan Öztürk, the Intellectual Property Rights Board convened on March 10, 2026. The meeting evaluated two inventions for application to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.

The meeting took place in the meeting room of the MEÜ Advanced Technology Education Research and Application Center (MEİTAM), with the participation of board members Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir, Prof. Dr. Seyhan Şahan Fırat, Prof. Dr. Nadir Dizge, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuncay Turan Turaboğlu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Uca, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fahri Özsungur, and the Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights Officer Ramazan Duman.

Vinegar Production from Bulgur Wastewater

At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Nadir Dizge and Assoc. Prof. Dr. [Name of second invention], faculty members from the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, were present. Hüdaverdi Arslan's invention, "Production of Vinegar from Bulgur Production Wastewater via Fermentation," was presented to the board members. This project, which utilizes wastewater with high organic matter content from bulgur production to produce vinegar, a high value-added product, offers significant advantages both environmentally and economically. With a cost 90% lower than fruit-based vinegar production, the invention can be used in the food, chemical, textile, cleaning, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and leather industries, and will contribute to circular economy and sustainable production principles. The aim of the invention is to minimize the environmental burden of bulgur factories.

Recovery of Struvite (MAP) Fertilizer from Human Urine

Prof. Dr. Nadir Dizge and Dr. Zelal Işık, faculty members of the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, also presented their invention, "Next Generation Electro-Osmotic Membrane Bioreactor Supported by Advanced Osmosis Membrane," which will transform waste into value through sustainable wastewater management and fertilizer production technology supported by advanced osmosis membranes. The invention will enable the recovery of struvite (MAP) fertilizer from human urine and the use of waste urine as an osmotic extraction solution, membrane fouling management with an electric field, and fully integrated management of water and nutrients. Magnesium ammonium phosphate crystallized from urine will function as both an extraction solution in the system and will create a slow-release fertilizer free of heavy metals and with high commercial value.

It was decided at the meeting that the evaluation of the patent applications will be presented to the University's Board of Directors.