Overview
For this project, we were tasked with the assignment of finding a solution to a real world problem through the application of biotechnology. We first were faced with the hardest decision: selecting an issue. We picked six possible topics to narrow down to a final choice. After extensive research, our group decided on focusing on the global shortage of drinking water. The next few days were spent learning all about the subject, from reading articles to analyzing statistics in order to accumulate the best sense of the worldwide crisis. From there, we looked into the optimal solutions to this shortage (all options are in the slide show below). We decided on a reverse osmosis filter in which all water is desalinated to remove all contamination to provide a clean water source in areas in need. Our group included an input reservoir (saltwater), an output reservoir (filtered water), a semi permeable membrane, and a water pump within our cardboard model (more description in presentation).
Content
OSMOSIS: diffusion of a solvent (usually water molecules) through a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration; tendency of water to flow from a hypotonic solution (low concentration of dissolved substances) to hypertonic solution (higher concentration of dissolved substances) across a semipermeable membrane // Understanding osmosis is key to this project as our solution is the process of the exact opposite in order to move areas of high concentration into areas of low concentration
REVERSE OSMOSIS: a water purification technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules and larger particles from drinking water // This process was vital as it removed all impurities and contaminates within the water in order for it to be potted and drinkable.
DESALINATION: a process that extracts mineral components from saline water (removal of salts and minerals from a target substance) // This allows all inorganic materials, primarily focused on salt from the ocean's water supply, to be dissolved to drastically increase the percentage of potable water.
SEMI PERMEABLE MEMBRANE: a type of biological or synthetic, polymeric membrane that will allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion—or occasionally by more specialized processes of facilitated diffusion, passive transport or active transport // This porous membrane is completely natural, commonly found in cell membranes, and can be applied to our solution by allowing only purified water to pass through, blocking out salt, dirt and all other impure minerals from entering the filter.
REVERSE OSMOSIS: a water purification technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules and larger particles from drinking water // This process was vital as it removed all impurities and contaminates within the water in order for it to be potted and drinkable.
DESALINATION: a process that extracts mineral components from saline water (removal of salts and minerals from a target substance) // This allows all inorganic materials, primarily focused on salt from the ocean's water supply, to be dissolved to drastically increase the percentage of potable water.
SEMI PERMEABLE MEMBRANE: a type of biological or synthetic, polymeric membrane that will allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion—or occasionally by more specialized processes of facilitated diffusion, passive transport or active transport // This porous membrane is completely natural, commonly found in cell membranes, and can be applied to our solution by allowing only purified water to pass through, blocking out salt, dirt and all other impure minerals from entering the filter.
Reflection
Overall, I felt this project went rather well. Our group was one that worked strongly together, a positive aspect for me in this project. Our chemistry allowed me to take on a role of leadership, as I felt I was much more vocal in each stage of the project than I typically was. Another strength of mine throughout this assignment was my research on the problem and solution. Deep analysis and always questioning what I currently know is one of my favorite parts of being in the STEM program, and I felt like this project encouraged this mindset. However, my work ethic this project was lacking. Once we effectively and efficiently completed the first few stages of the assignment, I personally allowed myself to become more and more distracted, my example prompting my other group members to follow suit. This lack of productivity can easily be improved and even increase for next year if I put an end to all bad habits formed in terms of my attention lying elsewhere. Another struggle for me this project was my time management. As I mainly focused on the research and presentation aspects of the project, I gave into temptation and allowed myself to not be all that realistic concerning what could be done. My ambition was appreciated by my group but turned out to not be nearly enough in order to finish all that I wanted to in time. To improve this characteristic, I will work on allotting time for the reasonable and then add on and make improvements from there. With this reflection in mind, I feel like I can continue to apply my strengths and improve my weaknesses for my junior year in STEM!