Deliverables
Prototype of App
Product Renders
Presentations, Process Book
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Duration
10 Weeks
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Team
1 UX Designer
2 Industrial Designers
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Problem
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Oil Runoff from street surfaces is an issue that has no statistics or steps to intercept before polluting bodies of water. Because oil has such a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems, it is important that the oil is contained. Oil spills on street most frequently come from cars and linger near the curb region. This oil is then carried into the drainage system of cities within the first few inches of rain. Also, the entrance into this drainage system, often seen as curb outlets or grates, collects trash and debris within the opening where it continues through the stormwater system and out into the water.
A 2 Part Solution
I aimed to eliminate the oil and trash that is carried by water flow into our rivers and oceans. By integrating a two level system oil and other pollutants can be collected at all street entry points. I created a passive drain guard utilizing and redirecting water flow patters. As well as a AI operated residential device.
City Level Solution: Ribtex Drain Guard
The Ribtex drain guard is a structure that should be placed within any curbside drain opening. Once installed, the Ribtex has a unique form that uses the riblike structures in order to create a vortex effect when there is water flow. The vortex is used in order for trash and litter to be tossed to the side so that the drain does not become clogged. The Ribtex drain guard also does not obstruct water flow in order to reduce any issues with flooding scenarios.
Operating Conditions
The flow of water is a constant operating condition as it carries oil runoff within the first 2 inches of rain. The flow of water enters the "mouth" and create s vortex pattern. Harnessing this pattern trash is thrown out of the way onto the curb as water can pass through. To maintain the vortex effect, there are two sets of mouth sizes in every drain to make sure the mouth is fully submerged at any point for the desired effect. It is fully operational ranging fro 2 inches to a full storm.
Household Level Solution: Bio-Oil Tank
The Bio-Oil Tank is designed for easy use by residents in any area. The device is easy to place onto any oil spill outside of their home to absorb and store the oil with ease. The Bio-Oil Tank uses AI sensors in order to prompt the user to reposition it to nearby oil spills, along with places it may need to run over again. It also keeps track of oil absorption amounts along with available discounts on the resident’s water bill through a recycling program on the accompanying app.
Behavior Change Application
The Bio-Oil Tank connects with an accompanying app in order to name your tank and keep track of data. Here is Ollie the oil tank that is running at full absorption rates. Under the STATS tab people can view how many runs the tank has done and how much oil has been collected each day. Neighborhood competitions through a leaderboard encourage more oil clean up! After collecting oil the app shows you different locations to bring the oil to be recycled.
Biology to Design Process
Using nature for inspiration I began by looking up unique strategies that could help tackle oil runoff and pollution. This ranged from plant structures to animal behaviors. Using these strategies I created prototypes and analyzed using Life's principles and following the biomimicry biology to design structure.
Mimicking Nature
The Ribtex form is directly inspired by the form of the Basking Shark’s mouth. The Basking shark is able to feed by using a self created vertex to allow for certain fish to pass while larger objects are redirected out the sides of the mouth.
The Bio-Oil Tank uses the process of Ryegrass and it’s stages of absorbing oil, storing it, and then using it. The first part of the process, absorbing the oil, utilizes the Bladderwort plant. The Bladderwort plant uses it’s glands as trapped doors that are able to open when absorbing, but close within a fraction of a second to trap the liquid. This function is demonstrated on the first layer of the tank’s tread to pick up the oil particles and store them until the oil is squeezed out through the rollers above. The oil is then stored in a drawer compartment. This compartment is easy to slide out and can be brought to recycling locations. To incentivize residents to purchase their own Bio-Oil Tank, residents who recycle the oil receive a discount on their water bill. Also, residents will be able to keep track of the amount of oil they have picked up and how that amount
could have impacted the ocean.
Life's Principles
Life's Principles are design lessons from nature. Based on the recognition that Life on Earth is interconnected and interdependent, and subject to the same set of operating conditions, Life has evolved a set of strategies that have sustained over 3.8 billion years.
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Below is a complete write up of how both design solutions address certain Life's Principles in depth.
