Industrial design graduate Julie Frost has been awarded the Bronze Australian Design Award - Dyson Student Award respectively at the 2006 Australian Design Awards.
Julie Frost's "Mvura Water Purifier", is a multi-function water transportation, purification, storage and dispensing unit to aid people in developing countries. The judges said her project was "broad thinking and intelligent; a solution that works to remedy what is an everyday, life-threatening situation in developing nations".
1.2 Billion People in the world do not have access to safe drinking water resulting in 2.2 million deaths each year. Mvura is a household water purifier targeted at rural Africa. It is intended to be distributed through aid organisations already operating within communities in need. The cost will therefore be subsidised and the product introduced with training on hygiene and the use and maintenance of Mvura. It utilizes the simple technique of pasteurization using solar heat. 15 litres of water is heated to 65ºC within two hours, which kills all harmful bacteria.
Mvura (meaning "water") is culturally sensitive in its design to be carried on the head. It is then opened into a pasteurization position. In this state a large surface area of water is exposed to solar heat. This combined with the small depth, black bottom and insulating panels all aid in maximising heat absorption. The panels also serve to protect the bag of water during transport. Soybean wax melts at the appropriate temperature to indicate that the water is pure enough to drink. With replacement parts readily available and its easily repaired hinges, Mvura is designed to be sustainable at a local level.
The Faculty of the Built Environment's Industrial Design Program received a trophy of recognition as the educational institution of the award-winning students.
The Australian Design Award-Dyson Student Award rewards innovative and distinctive engineering and design emanating from Australia's education sector.
Mvura at Australian Design Awards: http://www.designawards.com.au/ADA/05-06/student/192/192.htm