Tuesday March 12, 2013

Team invents water recycler

By KATHLEEN ANN KILI
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

Aqua bicycle: (From left) Sahmeeha, Jegatheswary and Sakthisundaran holding a gold medal they won in a competition.

JOHOR BARU: Three primary school pupils and a teacher here have invented a water purifying system using a modified bicycle.

SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai Science teacher S. Gomathy said the project, known as aqua bicycle, used recycled materials.

“The motor pumps dirty water from a container into the filter and then pumps out clean water into another container after filtration,” she said.

The bicycle can convert a container of dirty water, mixed with stones, grass and even sand, to clean and clear water within minutes, it is claimed.

“The water can be used for bathing, washing and even drinking,” said Gomathy, adding that it would still need boiling before drinking.

The team worked closely with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, which Gomathy said had certified it to be as good as piped water.

The three students were Year 5 pupils P. Sahmeeha, N. Jegatheswary and S. Sakthisundaran.

“We learned a lot about the importance of clean water,” said Sahmeeha.

Gomathy said the bicycle was inspired by orang asli in Kampung Layau Semenchu, Kota Tinggi.

“Although there is a river located just a few kilometres away, the villagers prefer to walk deep into the forest to collect cleaner water,” she said.

The aqua bicycle has received much recognition during competitions including the National Science Fair for Young Children where the team clinched the Best Innovation and Best Presentation titles back in 2011.

SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai is among 30 primary and secondary schools which submitted their entries for Johor's first Green Award, which will be held during the state-level Earth Hour celebrations on March 23.

News

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Team invents water recycler

By KATHLEEN ANN KILI newsdesk@thestar.com.my

By KATHLEEN ANN KILI
newsdesk@thestar.com.my