Silicon Carbide Filter
I was inspired by the water filter from the Brand A.O. Smith in my house. The light on this filter frequently turns red when the filter has absorbed the maximum amount of pollutants. This requires us to have to replace the costly filter regularly.
After some research, I found that the pollutants actually accumulate in the inside of the filter, meaning the bacteria had not been fully eliminated by the R.O membrane of this water filter. This motivates me to think of a new water filter that can potentially eliminate microplastics in water and last for a long time without needing to be changed.
During an internship where I was a product design assistant, I collaborated with a team to research water purification methods, focusing on challenges such as microplastic release and bacterial growth. Leading the design of a faucet-mounted prototype, we developed an inorganic silicon carbide membrane housed in ceramic and stainless steel to replace plastic components.
I also contributed to testing a removable, reusable, and low-cost filter, implementing refinements to improve convenience and cost efficiency.
This prototype achieved a 99.99% bacterial removal rate, reduced heavy metals by over 95%, and demonstrated long-term durability without electricity or plastic waste.
