Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, yet it remains an unmet need for a significant portion of the global population, including vulnerable communities such as sea nomads. According to UNICEF and WHO, an alarming 1 in 3 people worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water. This dire situation is further exacerbated by the fact that approximately 97% of the Earth's water is found in the oceans, making desalination a promising solution for addressing water scarcity.
Traditional desalination methods, employed by large-scale plants, have proven to be expensive and environmentally costly. These plants require substantial infrastructure, energy-intensive processes, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, all of which pose significant challenges in terms of sustainability and accessibility for remote and underserved communities.
The urgent need arises for a sustainable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly solution that can provide sea nomads and other marginalized communities with easy access to safe drinking water. This solution should utilize natural resources efficiently and be capable of operating in remote locations without relying on extensive infrastructure. Addressing these challenges would not only alleviate the hardships faced by communities but also empower them with self-sufficiency, improved health, and enhanced opportunities for development and prosperity.
AquaNova presents a groundbreaking solution to address the pressing problem of limited access to safe drinking water, particularly for sea nomads and underserved communities. The core innovation of AquaNova lies in its self-cleaning solar desalination system. A module consists of wicks that absorb seawater from beneath and transport it to a black fabric placed on top of an aluminum plate. This unique wick structure has demonstrated exceptional salt rejection properties, effectively removing salt contaminants from the seawater. The process unfolds as sunlight passes through a transparent cover, triggering evaporation and condensation. The semi-spherical shape of the aluminum plate maximizes the water's surface area, accelerating evaporation while leaving impurities behind.
Through the natural process of condensation, facilitated by cooling ambient air, water vapors are transformed into droplets. These droplets then flow efficiently into a storage system. It has a modular design, enabling the connection of multiple pods to form various platform shapes on the sea. This modularity enhances buoyancy stability, preventing flipping over and ensuring operational safety. Moreover, AquaNova addresses the issue of plastic pollution by utilizing recycled plastic materials collected from the oceans to construct the pod's body mold.
By providing a sustainable and affordable solution for converting seawater into safe drinking water, AquaNova has the potential to improve the lives of sea nomads and other underserved communities. Access to clean drinking water will promote better health and hygiene, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance overall well-being. AquaNova's modular design and use of recycled plastic materials also raise awareness about plastic pollution and encourage community participation in cleaning up the oceans. This innovative solution empowers communities, fosters self-sufficiency, and opens up opportunities for growth, education, and economic development, ultimately creating a positive and transformative social impact.
AquaNova stands out from existing solutions due to its unique combination of features. Unlike traditional desalination plants that are expensive, energy-intensive, and rely on complex infrastructure, AquaNova offers a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly alternative. It harnesses the power of solar distillation, utilizing natural resources such as sunlight to convert it into drinkable water. Its modular design allows for flexibility and scalability, enabling the connection of multiple pods to form various shapes and enhance buoyancy stability. Additionally, AquaNova raises awareness of plastic pollution by utilizing recycled plastic materials collected from the oceans, turning waste into a useful and sustainable solution.
