For this project we were tasked to solve a world problem. The problem could be anything from straws slurping at the end of your drink to overpopulation or malaria. My team decided to tackle water contamination in third world African Countries. One aspect of this project was using the Engineering and Design Cycle. In case you are not familiar with it, the Engineering Design Cycle is a process used to make sure an idea is thoroughly researched. The steps are Define The Problem, Research the problem, Specify Requirements, Brainstorm ideas and choose the best one, Develop and prototype solution, Test Solution, and Communicate Results.
Define The Problem- We identified the issue of poverty.
Research the problem- Our research showed us that the main cause of poverty was a lack of education. Since education a a social issue and not an engineering problem we decided to tackle one of the causes for not getting education. Kids have to walk and get water instead of going to school. The same water then makes the sick which keeps them out of school longer if it does not kill them. Many people are already working on solutions to bring water closer to villages but not as many solutions exist for the contamination of that water. Therefore, that is what we decided to focus on.
Specify Requirements- Since this product would be used and shipped to third world countries the filtration device could not use batteries, require electricity, be heavy or bulky, or wear out quickly. In addition, it would need to be easily transportable and carry a large quantity of water.
Brainstorm ideas and choose the best one- After consider our many ideas we settled on a clear, plastic tube with a tap on one side and a cork to let the water in on the other. The water is filtered using Solar Water Disinfection (See below). In addition, two traditional filters are used to clear large debris.
Develop and prototype solution- We built a full size, working model to demonstrate our idea. This took most of the project time. We named our product the Aqua Tube.
Test Solution- Our solution was not able to be tested due to not ideal weather conditions and the fact that our prototype was not water proof.
Communicate Results- We gave presentations to our class and by posting on our websites we are effectively communicating our findings.
Solar Water Disinfection: A process that takes advantage of the suns UV rays to kill bacteria and virus. You can see a full explanation in our slideshow below or look at this Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_water_disinfection
Below is our slide show. This was used for our presentation. Below that you can see our script that we memorized.
Our Script: the # sign signals a slide change.
Solve a World Problem
(Have Aqua tube and a glass of both dirty and clean water on table in front.)
R. Good Afternoon, thank you for listen to our presentation on a solution to drinking water contamination in Third World Countries located in Africa. My name is Rachel and these are my partners Morgan, Taylor, and Juan.
#M. We have set out to improve the drinking water quality in Third World countries located in Africa. Not only is their current water source far away from their villages but it is muddy, infested with bacteria, and is normally carried in heavy, bulky, and dirty buckets.
#T. Women and children spend hours collecting water that will put life threatening bacteria and viruses in their body. Most people have the knowledge that they must boil the water before they drink it but don’t have enough fuel.
#J. Our solution…. The Aqua Tube. It’s lightweight, durable, and cost efficient. The Aqua Tube uses three stages to clear water of mud, rocks, and bacteria. It does not require any fuel.
#R. The first stage is a cheese cloth filter that clears large debris and dirt.
M. Next is solar disinfection to get rid of bacteria. We will explain how that works in a moment.
T. Finally, there is a finer weave cheesecloth filter that gives the water a final clean and removes more dirt and small debris that the first filter did not catch.
J. As Morgan has stated, we use Solar Disinfection to kill bacteria. It works as follows
#R. The sun’s UV rays hits the water. They are intensified by the foil. In the actual product, the foil will be in between two layers of the clear vinyl.
M. The UV rays kills 99.99% of the most common bacteria and viruses found in the water.
#T. This diagram shows the setup required. As you can see, it is simple. Solar disinfection uses only the power of the sun so it can be used in remote places. the Aqua Tube functions best in direct sunlight. It can’t work in the rain.
J. On an average day, it will take about four hours for the water it be clean enough to safely drink. However, the average distance to walk back to a village is around that time. Therefore, no extra time would need to be invested in water purification.
#R. The Aqua tube simple to use. As Morgan will now model, you put the strap over your shoulder.
M. It is comfortable and easy to wear.
T. Walk to the place where you will be collecting water. Then, take out the rubber stopper. Dunk the Aqua Tube in the water source and replace the stopper. The water will have now gone through the first filter.
M. As you walk back the water will be clean using our solar water disinfection.
J. When you want to drink. Open the tap and pour. Inside the tap is our last filter.
( M pours water from water bottle behind Aqua Tube into cup. Takes a sip)
#R. The Aqua tube is so cheap because of it’s material. The most expensive item was the tap. If we buy in bulk, the price will be reduced even further. # We hope to distribute using shipping containers which can hold up to 9,464 Aqua Tubes.
#M. The Aqua tube can hold 9.6 liters of water which is 2.52 gallons. That is enough for a family of four. We hope to give each family two units so they can have extra water.
#T. If people would be buying their own, here is the money conversion. The Aqua tube is easily affordable with the average pay after one day.
J. We would, however, like to find grants or donors so we can provide Aqua Tubes at an even lower or no cost. # As you can see, Aqua Tube provides some unique feature unavailable in the competition.
# M. In the future we hope to run water purity tests that will help us improve our cheesecloth filters. After we are happy with the design we want to build a factory and then communicate with the UN for distribution.
#R. Aqua Tube and the other product like it can change the world. If people are not sick in bed from waterborne diseases they can be getting an education or earning money. More jobs can be created and a more stable economy formed. Third World countries located in Africa can get out of the seemingly endless cycles they are stuck in. People there get little education so they can't get a good job. Therefore, the people stay poor. We can break this loop with reliable access to clean water.
(Everyone takes a sip of water) #T. Thank you for listening.
#J. Any Questions?
(End)
I am very pleased overall with this project. I am especially thankful for my team. Everyone was collaborative and did work. I was with three friends and I think that because of that we knew how to work with one another. Since we know each other, we were able to divide the work based on people's strengths. With the final product am am satisfied in knowing we completed our prototype. If I were to do this project again I would use water tight seal instead of hot glue. We thought the hot glue would melt the plastic and create a seal but that did not happen. I would also like to change the filter. It would be cool to make them removable. That way, after several years the filter could be changed the the Aqua Tube can continue to be used. I thought that maybe 3D printing these parts would be an interesting experience. Having a removable filter would also help the issue that the Aqua Tube it hard to dry out. I am afraid it might start to mold if not taken care of properly. Despite the flaws I am content with the work that was done and learned a lot about how the world is a complex place and solving any problem (particularly one as broad as poverty) can't be achieved by a simple plastic tube. To really solve a problem we need to work together an think about all the aspects of the issue. Poverty is not just an Engineering problem or a social issue. Poverty can't be solved by a few people donating to charity nor can it be stopped without collaboration. The world is a complex place with just as complex problems but we can't start to figure them out until we all try. This project has made me start trying and maybe I can make a difference.