Regulations established under the Federal Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act can do more good quicker at less cost by applying today’s innovations in how data are collected, analyzed and used. Most clean air and water regulations require measurement, monitoring and archiving of data to allow engineers and scientists to analyze the data and take action. New “smart tools” are now being used to gather and analyze data more effectively in processes of all kinds, from healthcare to business systems to product inspections. These new tools use high powered cloud computers to analyze the data from wireless internet connected devices and can then send back information to a mobile device that can be shared real time with peers. Similar tools can also improve and simplify the regulatory processes.
The following links provide some additional background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_Things , http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2014/05/13/simple-explanation-internet-things-that-anyone-can-understand/#5bb18c4a6828
Your team must build a device that monitors and analyzes the environment and communicates this information to an Internet site and your mobile phone.
Your proposed design should provide specific details and outcomes as follows:
- Your design should address water, air, energy, waste or health.
- The design shall be fully self-contained to be deployed anywhere in the world.
- Your design should consider renewable energy or energy harvesting sources.
- Your design should minimize wiring and connections
Your team will demonstrate your design at bench scale level
The written report should demonstrate your team’s insight into the full scope of the issue and include all aspects of the problem and your proposed solution. The report will be evaluated for quality of writing, organization, clarity, reason, and coherence. Standards for publications in technical journals apply. In addition to the listed requirements, your report must address in detail the items highlighted in the Problem Statement, Design Considerations, and Evaluation Criteria.
Each team is advised to read the Participation Guide for a comprehensive understanding of the contest evaluation criteria. Upon registration, WERC will provide you with a copy of the Public Involvement Plan and Participation Guide.
Additionally, your proposed solution will be evaluated on the following:
- Technical fundamentals, performance, safety and other issues stated in the problem statement
- Potential for real-life implementation
- Thoroughness and quality of the economic analysis
- Originality, innovativeness, functionality, ease of use, maintainability, reliability, and affordability of the proposed technology
- How well the bench-scale represents your full scale design concept