Designing an Innovative Ceramic Water Filter to Incorporate a Fine-Copper-Mesh Viral Pathogen Disinfectant Component Karin Brett, Civil Engineering, supported by the Kristiane Crane Graham Center for Global Health Scholar Equity Scholar Award; Maya Reese, Chemical Engineering, supported by the Pamela B. and Peter C. Kelly Award for Improving Health in Limpopo Center for Global Health Equity Scholar Award; Reese Hertel, Civil Engineering, supported by the Kristiane Crane Graham Center for Global Health Scholar Equity Scholar Award. All students mentored by Professor Jim Smith, School of Engineering and Applied Science
I worked in Hammanskraal, South Africa for 7 weeks researching point-of-use water treatment technologies. Our project tested different designs of ceramic water filters to optimize both virus and bacteria disinfection. We had been warned about experimental results appearing random but it still came as a huge shock when after 13 trials, there was still no clear pattern in our data. The experience taught me to look for hidden confounding variables and to accept some results to be true, even if they seem like outliers. One of my favorite parts about conducting this field study is working with people I had never worked with or met before. It expanded my perspective on the project and collaborating with several intelligent and inquisitive community and faculty members allowed me to learn more than I could have imagined. The work culture during our project was one that supported brainstorming, offering ideas, thinking of alternatives, and providing critical feedback. These lessons will be extremely valuable to carry back with me to UVA as I continue on with similar point-of-use research for my senior thesis and capstone project.