Autonomous Solar-Powered Boat
Problem statement
Currently, rivers and lakes are heavily polluted by both human contaminates such as salt and oils, as well as biological contaminants such as blue-green algae. To ensure that water quality is monitored so that swimmers/other users are kept in good health, people are sent to manually inspect the water. This can lead to people being in hazardous environments or not getting samples quick enough to actually deliver the information to relevant parties in a timely manner. Blue-green algae and other contaminants are health risks to the many people who swim in or are around lakes every year. Not only does this include numerous Madisonians, but a number of people working directly with this project, as well. If a person comes in contact or inhales blue green algae, it may generate harmful toxins in their body and lead to skin irritation and respiratory problems [1]. Constant testing of the water would allow for more consistent information about which contaminants exist in the lakes, which would facilitate the right measures in order to keep the lakes clean. Such constant testing would be made possible by an autonomous solar-powered boat that can collect samples in a precise manner and report which part of the lake to focus on to keep it pollutant free. This boat would benefit Madison residents who are non-users of the lakes as well, as the increased monitoring of the lake would reduce the spread of disease from lake-users to the rest of the community.
Team members
Ebenezer Fanibi – leader
Shane Supple – communicator
Josef Carlson – accountant
Sanket Singal – admin
Client
Lennon Rodgers Makerspace, UW-Madison