Harnessing the power of the sun, Nigerian inventors Elizabeth Korolo Boluwatife and Abdulsalam Ajara have developed a groundbreaking device capable of purifying and reusing polluted water. The duo’s innovative technology, named the Bithermal Water Distillation Device, has the potential to provide safe drinking water to those in rural and riverine regions, a solution that recently earned them the Stockholm Junior Water Prize Nigeria.
The Bithermal Water Distillation Device stands out not just for its life-saving potential, but for its cost-effectiveness, economic viability, and scalability. Using solar energy, a resource abundant in tropical regions, Boluwatife and Ajara have designed a device that addresses a critical issue plaguing their local community in Lagos state’s Makoko area: the scarcity of safe drinking water.
Nigerian Students Invent Innovative Water Purification Device
In a bid to combat water scarcity in Nigeria, two young students, Elizabeth Korolo Boluwatife and Abdulsalam Ajara, have developed a novel device that purifies and reuses polluted water. This sustainable solution has earned them the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize Nigeria, reinforcing the device’s potential to transform access to clean drinking water in riverine and rural regions.
Bithermal Water Distillation Device: A Game Changer
The Bithermal Water Distillation Device is a ground-breaking invention by Boluwatife and Ajara that has been acclaimed as the top project by the jury panel. The device stands out due to its ability to provide clean drinking water to all, its cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Moreover, its economic viability and practicality also make it a promising solution for water purification.
Harnessing Solar Energy to Purify Water
The innovative device draws on solar energy, abundant in tropical regions, to purify water. The inspiration for this solution stemmed from the students’ experience in their community in the Makoko area of Lagos state, where access to safe drinking water is a significant challenge. Ajara conceived the idea while observing the process of water boiling in her kitchen. She realized that the evaporated water, which condensed on the cover, could be used to purify water, as it is in its purest form.
Addressing Water Scarcity in Makoko
Boluwatife, who experienced firsthand the severe shortage of clean drinking water in Makoko, underscored the irony of living surrounded by water, yet lacking access to clean water. This situation is primarily due to poor drainage and sewage systems. The device, which utilizes locally available materials like sand, charcoal, and fiber, could be a potential game-changer for such communities.
Conclusion and Takeaways
The Bithermal Water Distillation Device demonstrates how young minds can provide innovative solutions to pressing global issues. Boluwatife and Ajara’s invention not only underscores the power of observation and local resources but also highlights the potential of solar energy in sustainable development. The device’s simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability make it a promising solution for regions grappling with water scarcity. Their achievement serves as an inspiration and a reminder that change often begins at the grassroots level.
