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Mangrove Magicians: Water Desalination
Disciplines:
Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Ecology, Sustainability Studies, Industrial Design, Business, Entrepreneurship
Biomimicry, Computational Modeling, engineering, and product design in developing a mangrove-inspired water desalination filtration prototype.
The Mangrove Magician internship will combine biomimicry, engineering, and product design to develop essential career skills for tackling global challenges. Inspired by the remarkable natural filtration capabilities of mangrove trees, interns will delve into the fascinating world of biomimicry, learning to emulate nature's ingenious solutions to human problems. Through a series of interactive sessions, participants will explore the intricate xylem structure of mangroves and its role in water filtration and nutrient transport.
Guided by expert mentors, interns will apply computational modeling techniques to mimic the xylem structure and design a prototype filter capable of producing both freshwater and battery salts. They will gain hands-on experience in engineering design, prototyping, and product development, honing their skills in creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.
Throughout the internship, you will develop crucial career skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, project management, and technical proficiency. By rigorously evaluating the prototype's performance, durability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, you will also enhance their analytical and decision-making abilities, preparing them for future roles in engineering, product development, and sustainability. Through guest lectures from industry professionals, you will gain insights into real-world applications of biomimicry and product development, further enriching their career prospects and professional growth.
Available Intern Positions:
3 High School, 3 Undergrad & 1 Master, PhD
“Being a mentor for the Born Global Foundation has expanded my network to reach students with big ideas and the audacity to go after them."
Joy Lapseritis
MS Biomimicry ASU; Ph.D Biological Oceanography MIT
Branch Head Naval Undersea Warfare Center
Syllabus
Week 1: Introduction to Biomimicry and Mangroves
Session 1: Overview of Biomimicry Principles
Session 2: Mangroves as Bioinspiration: Understanding Xylem Structure
Week 2: Computational Modeling
Session 1: Basics of Computational Modeling
Session 2: Applying Computational Modeling to Mimic Xylem Structure
Week 3: Engineering Design
Session 1: Principles of Engineering Design
Session 2: Designing the Prototype Filter
Week 4: Product Development
Session 1: Prototyping Techniques and Materials Selection
Session 2: Building the Prototype Filter
Week 5: Prototype Evaluation - Performance
Session 1: Performance Testing Criteria
Session 2: Testing the Prototype for Fresh Water and Battery Salt Production
Week 6: Prototype Evaluation - Durability
Session 1: Understanding Durability Requirements
Session 2: Durability Testing and Analysis
Week 7: Prototype Evaluation - Scalability
Session 1: Scalability Factors and Considerations
Session 2: Scaling Up the Prototype for Mass Production
Week 8: Prototype Evaluation - Cost Effectiveness and Commercialization
Session 1: Cost Analysis and Optimization Strategies
Session 2: Commercialization Strategies and Next Steps