Presenter
Arianna Comendful
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Description
One of the greatest modern fallbacks of humankind is the inability to harness developed technologies to combat global issues, including questionable water quality whether it be due to natural disasters or mercury pollution from illegal gold mining in Colombia. We see the free thinking derivatives of open sourced software and common based peer production as a catalyst for change for such pressing issues. Through the utilization of a longitudinal makerspace equipped with students from the departments of Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Public Health and Public Policy we have approached this issue with unprecedented efficiency via a collaborative matrix. Upon the development of a water quality sensor that detects temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH, it is now being tested alongside commercial models for effectiveness. Once success of our cost efficient prototype is confirmed, collaboration will begin with students in Uganda and Colombia on the proper instructions on how to construct and code their own sensors. We recognize deployment of such systems has limitless potential to enhance public health and thus economic development. Further implications of the project include natural disaster relief and a live global map revealing the quality of any particular body of water at any given time.