2013 UL Engineering Challenge:

IIT GN Students

Pravinray D. Gandhi, PhD., P. E. Corporate Fellow Underwriters Laboratories Inc. 333 Pfingsten Road Northbrook, IL 60062 USA

2011 Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

Objectives for the UL Engineering Challenge

Create a collaborative relationship with academia
Engage students in challenging engineering problems to create a range of innovative solutions
Develop awareness to build safety into design Communicate ideas

Previous Projects

1. Fire protection infrastructure

Kitchen fire prediction and intervention Fire incident database

2. Photovoltaic systems
Adding IIT GN on global research grid

3. Electrical vehicle research platform Develop Indias auto-riskha into an EV research platform

2013 UL Engineering Challenge: Drinking water

Objective Design and develop a drinking water station research platform for use by local population

Design Parameters

1. Self contained purification system to provide drinking water to IS 10500.

2. Flexible for use as a research platform to improve water purification technologies.

3. Powered by solar energy.

Participation
1. The engineering challenge is open to all IIT GN students.
2. Each team will consist of 4 members with max. 2 from any academic year. 3. There is no limit on the number of teams that can participate. 4. All teams must be identified and names sent to Prof. Chinmay Ghoroi by Nov. 15, 2013.

Phase I: Review and awareness

1. 1. Review drinking water problem in India (e.g., DRINKING WATER SUPPLY: Environmental Problems, Causes, Impacts and Remedies Experiences from Karnataka by Puttaswamaiah S.).
Review literature to on drinking water standards in India and in Japan, and USA; develop a comparison of standards.

2.

3.

Review existing designs for public drinking water dispensers in India, and provide technical assessment (e.g., technology used, strengths, areas of improvement). Develop data on the use of water using one selected location (e.g., kitchen, dormitory, etc.) on campus . Collect local water samples (min. 4) to determine chemical makeup. The samples must contain surface and ground water sources. Document the source of water on each container. At least sample one should be stored in (i) earthen pots, (ii) plastic bottle (e.g., PET), and (iii) metal container (e.g., copper). Store water samples for at least 1 week and transfer to glass bottles provided by UL and ship to UL India laboratory. Develop conceptual design of drinking water station with key features, and components. Consideration should be given to treatment of microbiological (bacteria, virus & Cyst) and chemical (mainly TDS & Salinity) parameters.

4.

5.

6.

Research Report due Jan 30, 2013

Phase I Review Process

Projects reviewed by a review committee consisting of IIT GN faculty, UL staff, and other experts.
Award for winners (2 teams): $500 per person.

Select top two teams for Phase II. Selected teams are eligible to visit UL (USA) for exposure to water quality experts.

Phase II
One design for water station platform will be selected based upon expert input. The two teams will be resourced to develop the water station platform.

The students will construct the water station platform and pilot-test to determine water quality, operational and maintenance issues.

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Student Mentoring and Review

IIT GN Prof. Chinmay Ghoroi

UL TNVV Rao Pravinray Gandhi External Experts TBD

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THANK YOU.