UC Engineers Without Borders Chapter Wins Penetron Contest
The University of Cincinnati
College of Engineering and Applied Science
student chapter of
Engineers Without Borders (EWB UC)
was a clear favorite among voters in the
Penetron Internationals Fall 2017 EWB-USA Grant Award Contest
, winning by a margin of more than 400 votes. The contests other two finalists were chapters from the University of Wisconsin Madison and the Oregon Institute of Technology.
EWB UC will receive a $5,000 grant towards its project. The group has been traveling to Burere, Tanzania, working to provide a solar-powered pump system that will draw clean drinking water from a well for a community of approximately 6,000 people.
Burere is in dire need of clean drinking water. The town currently relies on Lake Victoria as its main source of water due to its reliability throughout the rainy and dry seasons. However, disease-causing viruses such as Schistosomiasis are found in the lake and are very prevalent in Burere. Although the community has an existing well, which is the only clean source of water in Burere, much of the population can't use it because of its remote location. The well's pump is also hand-powered, which is time-consuming and leads to long wait times to draw water during the dry season. By implementing a pump and tank system to the well and increasing accessibility, EWB UC can assist the community in promoting safe drinking and water-collection habits. Reducing the incidence of disease is expected to result in a healthier overall community and will increase both productivity and the quality of life for its residents.
With this grant, EWB UC will implement phase one of its water-system design to start providing clean water to the community. This phase includes overseeing contractor installation of the solar panels and electric pump in the borehole well, installing the storage tank at the well site and connecting it to the pump. This phase will allow the water-collection system to be expanded, if necessary.
"We would like to thank everyone who voted and shared to help us win first place in Penetron's grant competition," the UC chapter said after winning Friday. "We cannot express enough how much your support and efforts are appreciated. Thanks to Penetron, and with the help of all of you, we are one giant step closer to helping the people of Burere get access to clean drinking water."
About Engineers Without Borders
Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that supports community-driven development programs worldwide, through partnerships that design and implement sustainable engineering projects. EWB-USA's vision is a world in which the communities they serve have the capacity to meet their basic human needs sustainably. Today, more than 2 billion people lack access to the most basic necessities clean drinking water, adequate sanitation, reliable passage to local markets and more. EWB-USA's projects create transformative experiences that enrich global perspectives and promote responsible leaders.
Related Stories
UC’s Ground Floor Makerspace births combat robots
April 17, 2024
In the heart of UC's 1819 Innovation Hub lies the Ground Floor Makerspace, an advanced and active hub of ingenuity where students, faculty and the community converge to bring their ideas to life. This includes being the birthplace of robots much like miniature race cars, combating fender to fender in an enclosed boxing ring. Combat robots like UC's Maximizer will again be fighting for first place in the National Havoc Robot League (NHRL) competition, slated for April 20.
UC researchers develop new CPAP device
April 17, 2024
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are developing a VortexPAP machine that takes advantage of vortex airflow technology. A preliminary clinical study with current CPAP users demonstrated that the VortexPAP can deliver the pressure levels that are used in the subjects’ CPAP therapy, but the mask is more comfortable to wear. It has a minimalistic design that is less intrusive and barely touches the patient’s face.
UC architectural engineering alumna inspires high school students
April 16, 2024
University of Cincinnati alumna Emma Wilhelmus fell in love with engineering when she was in ninth grade. After taking drafting, architecture and engineering courses in high school, she set out to major in architectural engineering in college. Now, she is an engineering teacher at a local high school and hopes to inspire students.