Header
Define a Problem
We made a Gantt Chart and divided our responsibilities in order to evenly and accurately distribute the workload of the project and to generate a time frame by which pieces of the project had to be completed. By setting deadlines for certain parts we would ensure that the project as a whole would be completed
Brainstorm
Research and generate ideas
source: http://all-about-water-filters.com/top-easiest-diy-water-filters-you-can-make-at-home/
Description: This simple solution utilizes natural materials such as gravel and sand, as well as activated carbon, in layers to procedurally filter out contaminants from larger pieces to smaller. A piece of cloth is used at the end in order to block the materials from escaping and to to allow water to leave Pro's-Easy to gather materials. Con's-Risk of materials like the carbon, sand or gravel escaping and falling into the filtered water |
source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/homemade-water-filter.html
Description- Similar to the first existing idea, this filter utilizes naturally found materials such as rocks and sand, and then charcoal and a cloth, to filter water. However, this idea utilizes an additional layer of coarse sand, then charcoal, then fine sand, rather than the first idea. Pro's- Easily obtainable materials, re-usable. Con's- Risk of filtration materials falling into the filtered water |
source: https://chihealth.co/the-water-filter-that-turns-your-ordinary-tap-water-into-an-ocean-of-antioxidants/
Description- This is a professional made water filter. This product utilizes 8 layers to effectively create safe drinking water. Utilizing some unknown materials and activated carbon, this filter is guaranteed to improve the quality of water. Pro's- Already tested and proved to work. Mass produced Con's- Price. |
explore possibilities
select an approach
develop a design proposal
Make a model or prototype
test and evaluate the design using specifications
Overall the tests were not successful. The goal was 50 or lower NTU, but out first 3 tests did not reach this goal. The water was still very cloudy with the design we had. After washing the sand out and running water through it first we yielded better results but they weren't good enough.
refine the design
Needless to say, the initial model did not reach the goal of 50 NTU. To attempt to fix this we rinsed the sand out to try and stop further contamination of the filter from within the filter. After this we added more sand, which did not have a substantial effect on the efficiency of the design and instead drastically increased the time needed. At the end we still weren't reaching our goal so we added multiple coffee filters, clumps of cotton and some netting on the top of the design. This majorly improved our results, taking us above and beyond the goal of 50 and allowing us to reach 13 NTU.
conclusion
Overall I believe this project was a great way to start the year off. It worked well in helping us relearn the design process and also taught us that it is important to set deadlines and actually meet them, which unfortunately wasn't the case for the Pecha Kucha due to a miscommunication between my partner and myself. I learned multiple effective filters that I can make out of easily and cheaply obtainable materials as well. Next time I would have definitely adhered to my self imposed deadlines instead of pushing aspects of this project off for the next day. I believe the teamwork between my partner and I was overall fairly good, except for a miscommunication regarding our Pecha Kucha. I would have definitely discussed more with my partner however. It also didn't help that midway through the project my partner changed, and we had to adapt our individual plans and ideas into one project. The actual project itself was very clear, but for next year I would recommend a explanation of a Pecha Kucha with an example, to help clarify just what it is.