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A Researcher From UFOP Created a Bottle That Uses Solar Energy to Eliminate Impurities, Remove Bacteria and Viruses, and Additionally Refrigerate Water Inside the Prototype
A researcher from the Master’s Program in Materials Engineering at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), concerned about people living without access to drinking water, created a bottle that sterilizes water using a filter powered by solar energy and water. The work demonstrates the potential to make water drinkable and consumable. The project by Bárbara Goszniak Paiva, 28, earned her first place in the Brazilian stage of the international science competition Red Bull Basement, the final of which will take place in Turkey from the 13th to the 15th of this month.
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Get to Know Bárbara Goszniak’s Project Better
The prototype that uses solar energy, called Aqualux, was developed over five months and the bottle is portable, the size of a palm. The technology created by the UFOP researcher can be used for treating water from springs, lakes, rivers, among others.
Bárbara’s idea was to democratize access to clean water and prevent low-income people from getting sick. In the bottle developed by the researcher, water goes through a process that involves three stages before becoming fully potable and ready for use, which are microfiltration, where impurities are eliminated, sterilization by solar energy radiation, where bacteria and viruses are removed, and refrigeration. The system that refrigerates the water is also powered by photovoltaic panels that convert light into solar energy.
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Researcher’s Bottle Has Advantageous Features
Bárbara states that the idea to create the project arose as part of her master’s work at UFOP. The initial goal was to assist people who lack basic sanitation, both in Brazil and around the world.
The UFOP researcher affirms that her initiative was to create a bottle that filters, sterilizes with radiation, and cools water using solar energy, features that are advantageous compared to other existing prototypes and methods, such as boiling.
The student describes her prototype as innovative, capable of making an impact, and viable, characteristics that are considered by the Red Bull Basement University. According to Bárbara, participating in the program has been an incredible experience because, in addition to improving the evolution of research, it also accelerates the entire process for the technology to reach those in need.
Get to Know Red Bull Basement University
The Red Bull Basement University, the award for which the researcher is competing, is a program that fosters the most innovative ideas developed by students. The aim is to promote entrepreneurship and the creation of technological and smart solutions to address problems that affect the world.
Just this year, the program received over 4,000 applications from 43 countries. AquaLux was the Brazilian project selected in the first phase, and now Bárbara will represent Brazil and UFOP in the final, which will take place in Istanbul, Turkey.
During the three days of the event, competitors will participate in lectures and workshops on entrepreneurship and technology, in addition to having the opportunity to secure funding to bring their projects to fruition.
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