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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) The Pure Edge Water Sterilizer is a domestic water sterilization unit, designed for third world communities. It targets the world’s largest market by addressing the ongoing need of clean drinking water. This product is inspired by James Dyson and his criteria, Viktor Papanek’s philosophy of “Design for the real world” and also the statistics surrounding this growing global issue.The unit contains collected water, sterilizes it via UV technology, and dispenses it, eliminating water-born diseases and biological toxins. The Pure Edge Sterilizer is a well engineered and fully resolved product, innovative in form and function. Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? The design of the Pure Edge Water Sterilizer re-thinks the concept of water storage and also the effect a product can have in the enhancement of the domestic ritual: water consumption. The application of this concept to the growing third world environment reveals an exciting opportunity for change in health standards. The unit incorporates a number of emerging and existing technologies such as Ultraviolet sterilization and Solar Sliver Cells creating a cost-effective and highly efficient solution.The sterilization unit is a visually appealing appliance with a culturally sensitive aesthetic, incorporating an earthenware exterior. Materials, colours and shape make the product function unambiguous, and the earthenware exterior is designed to be uniquely decorated by the family it belongs to, thus personalising the appliance and encouraging local skills. The form of the product is also functionally important, especially the angle of the solar cells, maximising their efficiency. Product functions include storing collected water, sterilizing water, pumping water for direct consumption, or to fill larger containers. Water is never wasted as the nozzle directs the flow back into the unit, to be stored once more. The earthenware exterior also adds the function of insulation, keeping the contents cool. The quality of the product is evident in its simplicity, with minimal parts and a simple assembly sequence. Durable materials and waterproofing were important to all parts. Cost needed to be minimal; where possible featuring locally sourced parts, assembly and distribution. The ergonomics of the Pure Edge Water Sterilizer are extensive, especially as the end users vary in height, physical ability, age, gender, literary understanding, etc. The holding capacity of the unit is 70 Litres and the flexible nozzle enables filling large containers. The height of the handles is set for an adult as the unit is too cumbersome for a child. Water is obtained via foot pump which is the most feasible method for all potential users. The unit is 1m tall, appropriate for both adults and children to comfortably fill or obtain water. Primary materials are light-weight plastics, making the product easy to transport. All the internal mechanisms are permanently enclosed. The UV sterilizer is also thoroughly contained, leaving no possibility of Ultraviolet exposure to the user at any stage. Electrical connections are also insulated and fastened within the internal housing. The primary environmental factor is its minimal use of resources, being a self-sufficient solar powered device. The appliance also maximises use of rain water and has negligible impact on the surrounding environment. Although water filters and large chemical filtration systems are ever-present in the marketplace, a domestic unit designed directly for third world purposes has never been considered. There is currently no product competition and no similar adaptation of a product with the Pure Edge’s capabilities. This product exhibits excellence in design because of its innovation, feasibility, resolution and potential global impact. The Pure Edge Water Sterilizer is set apart from the “me too” products cluttering the marketplace and is a worthy contender for the 2007 Dyson Student Award. |
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