In our series on the ‘Best Idea Cup 2019’, today we’re featuring Francesco Aresi, Rushan He and Marcos Vazquez. The three students, who are studying Sustainable Agriculture and Mechanical Engineering, have tackled the issue of environmental pollution and developed an innovative solution for clean groundwater – the Phytosponge.
The team regards water pollution as a particular challenge. It has now become a major problem, and not just in developing countries. In Germany and other EU countries, for example, the water contains excessive levels of nitrate and other substances that are harmful to humans and the environment. Although groundwater is treated using chemical, physical or biological processes, these are often very costly and require significant investment.
Phytoremediation, on the other hand, offers an effective, simple and, above all, sustainable method. The water is purified with the help of plants, making it a more cost-effective approach. One drawback, however, is the slow growth of the plants. That is why Aresi, He and Vazquez have developed a system that ensures rapid regrowth and is highly scalable – the Phytosponge.
The plants are housed in a solar-powered container, into which contaminated water is fed via a pump and from which the water is subsequently discharged once purified. The three students’ innovation is easy to install, requires minimal maintenance and is powered exclusively by renewable energy.
The Phytosponge team is currently preparing to apply for the start-up grant.
