Day 4

Finished putting together our poster board. Ready for Monday!

Day 3

Today, we printed out our information and diagrams, and we are putting together our poster board. 

Day 2

Diagram

- Created a digital sketch diagram of our concept water filter

Information on the Elements of the Water Filter

Chitosan

Within the water filter, the chitosan layer makes it unique, compared to most everyday water filters, as it is meant to filter out chemical substances that could potentially have toxic properties, such as lead or mercury.

This attribute of the design allows the filter to be useful in emergency cases in places where water can be contaminated, due to fracking or other environmentally harmful activities.

Iodine Saturated Beads

This concept, used in the well-known LifeStraw, uses beads saturated/impregnated with Iodine as a layer in the cylindrical water filter in order to kill bacteria and other potentially harmful microbiotic parasites. These beads are also known for filtering out viral agents efficiently.

Metal Mesh/Textile Sift

This mesh layer consists of a sift-like textile which covers the pre-filter area of the filter. This component will be used to sift out dirt and larger particles to 100 microns in a diameter, around the size of a hair.

Carbon Layer

This final layer of the water filter consists of granulated active carbon. The carbon helps improve the taste and smell of the water but also helps remove and remaining parasites.

Day One

Progress for Day 1:

- Created model and brainstormed ideas on how the concept and design of the water filter
- Thought about different methods and materials for the filter layers

    

Concluded that:
   - First layer will consist of a sift for removing dirt, stones and sands
   - Second layer will consist of small balls saturated to kill bacteria and other potentially harmful organisms/parasites
   - Third layer will be made of chitosan (Material from shrimp shells and other crustacean organisms)

Bibliography:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=cheap-nanotech-filter-water
Gravotta, Luciana. Cheap Nanotech Filters Clear Hazardous Microbes and Chemicals from Drinking Water. Scientific American. May 7, 2013. Nov 12, 2013. 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/geotech/policymemo/tanks.cfm
Woodmansey, Alan. Chitosan Treatment of Sediment Laden Water. US Department of Transportation. Mar 19, 2002. Nov 12, 2013. 

http://www.egeniusdesigns.com/uploads/1/9/3/2/19321437/6257458_orig.jpg