Ozone Pump Against Algae

Algae can be a beneficial and harmful substance depending on the context it is presented. On one hand, algae can provide as a food source for living aquatic organisms, it produces oxygen through photosynthesis, and it can even (after lots of processing) be used as food coloring. However, regarding human life, algae can release harmful toxins that can pose a lot of health risks for humans. That is where ozone comes into play. When people hear the word ‘ozone’, most think of a layer apart of Earth’s atmosphere and its role in blocking UV rays from hurting humans more than it already does. Sometimes ozone does not have the best connotation but not in water purification. Ozone (O3, 3 oxygen atoms) is a powerful molecule because it is very reactive, specifically with the components that make algae harmful. Ozone is currently used as a final step in the water purification because it is a powerful oxidizing agent, but the method is inefficient and costs a lot of energy and money. Scientists are currently devising ways to deliver ozone to bodies of water, to tackle ozone and not harm other living organisms in the water. One of these ways is nanobubble ozone. Nanobubbles are macroscopic bubbles that do not rise to the surface, and do not pop until extended periods of time. Ozone is placed into these nanobubbles and then those nanobubbles are pumped into bodies of water, beginning its fight with algae.

The student handout will be given to all students working on the design challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.

This Instructor’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.

Telling the Story Video

The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.

Design Challenge Video

The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.

Presentation

There is also a PowerPoint presentation available that was used in the original design challenge implementation.