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Core77 Design Award 2011: Pure Water Bottle, Student Notable for Design for Social Impact

By Core77 Design Awards - August 10, 2011

in Core77 Design Awards

Designer: Timothy Whitehead Location: Kent, United Kingdom Category: Design for Social Impact Award: Student Notable

Pure Water Bottle

A water bottle designed for Adventure Tourists, Aid workers and NGO's which filters and sterilises water from almost any source within two minutes. The product uses a wind up mechanism and is not reliant to external batteries or power.

While travelling though Zambia, Africa I realised the reliance people have on chlorine and iodine tablets; these take about 30 minutes to create safe drinking water and leave an unpleasant taste. The aim was to create a product which was compact and light enough for travelling tourists to carry around, while providing; safe, clean and sterile drinking water quickly.

I found that people wanted a simple, easy to use product which worked quickly and effectively. I discovered that by using a big filter you reduced the volume of water to can carry. Consequently, I opted for a compact filter with a ultra-violet light bulb to sterilise the water. UV has the added advantage of no distortion to taste. Another challenge to overcome was the power required to power the bulb. I decided not to rely on batteries, but instead I used a wind-up generator, giving limitless supplies of power on-demand.

What's the latest news or development with your project?

The project continues to move forward, funding is an inevitable issue and slows progress at times. However, I really believe in the potential for Pure, both for the developed world travelling market and the developing world. I am hoping to go to India in the next month to trial/investigate the potential for the product in this vibrant and up and coming market. All I can say is 'watch this space', I am determined to get Pure to market.

What was the best part of working on your Pure Water Bottle?

The best bit of the project was walking into the test lab after filtering and sterilising sewage water. I looked at the results and was so pleased to see no trace of e.coli or other harmful bacteria. It proved that the product would work once constructed.

I also love telling people about the idea, everyone I have told as understood the product straight away and loved the concept. I just hope that I can now make it a reality.

Read on for full details on the project and jury comments.

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Gauresh

13 years ago

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The designer has mentioned for the trail investigation regarding acceptance of his product.

I would like to mention here that before traveling to any region it would be better to understand the present way regarding any process (filtration in this case) and the response to similar products when they were launched.
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CD

13 years ago

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Charlwood Design's original concept for the 321 water bottle has been around countless design blogs (like yanko design) since the start of 2009 - easily found through a basic web search. The plunger water filter has been patented throughout the world (basic patent search will find this)

Academically he should be expected to aknowledge his sources of inspiration.
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DC

13 years ago

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It doesn't matter how many people work to solve this problem. They all deserve gratitude for their REAL work and contribution to other people.

Modern design discourse seems almost entirely masturbatory - Conceptual work done mainly to justify the expensive scarf and smoking habit.

As long as the problem still exists, solutions are never outdated.

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AG

13 years ago

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http://www.321water.com
Ok technology is different but who's following who
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-Joel-Kramka-

13 years ago

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This is a really great idea. I love the wind up feature rather than the battery. This really caters to people that don't have access to or can't afford relatively expensive batteries. Nice job. I wish you the best in the future.
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Hokka

13 years ago

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Reminds me of this water bottle from Australia by another designer that just got launched, very similar, even the colour scheme: http://www.321water.com/
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