Here is the link to support the team: https://www.ecocrowd.de/projekte/112-drop-it
The number of severe natural disasters resulting in the collapse of social infrastructure has almost doubled in the last 20 years. However, international disaster relief is still inadequately organized. Many states do not have the necessary technical means or civil organizations for relief measures. People on the ground hardly receive adequate information, and relief services, leading to internal and external displacement. The SMILE supported startup Disaster Relief Systems is currently developing a prototype of a portable water purification unit to serve more than 15,000 people in areas affected by disasters.
The water treatment plant is designed to automatically clean its filters, using a new backwash technology. It is robust in size, eco-friendly and energy-efficient. Since roads and airfields are often blocked in emergencies, the device is designed to be airdroppable, such that it can be released with an aircraft to areas that are not motorable. The device currently weighs about 135 kg and can filter 750l of water per hour, using ultra-filtration.
The brains behind this initiative are an able team of passionate and human-oriented individuals namely: John-Henning Peper Frank Amankwah, Thu Thi Hoang, Sören Lohse, and Stephan Busch.
The construction of the prototypes is constantly being optimized through cooperation with civil relief organizations, such as the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief, the Red Cross, the Johanniter, or the Maltese, but also smaller organizations, such as arche noVa from Dresden.
In addition to the production of this water treatment unit, a communication device and a power generator are being planned to ensure access to communication and information as well as power generation. All the equipment is designed to be modularly linked and also to be as easy as possible to repair on site. Hardly any special components are used in construction. The chain that drives the water treatment plant, for example, is a simple moped chain that exists in many parts of the world.
Disaster Relief Systems is affiliated with funded projects of the University of Leipzig and the Technical University of Chemnitz. Nonetheless, the team seeks further financial support to build and further develop their prototypes and to carry out tests such as dropping the water treatment system from the air using a parachute. The crowdfunding runs until 30 September 2021, and if it goes well, the planned target of 20,000€ can be extended by 5,000€. With this money, the disaster protection technology can be presented at the Interschutz trade fair in Hanover in 2021.
Here is the link to support the team: https://www.ecocrowd.de/projekte/112-drop-it
