Citeuropass 2024, 2nd wave
Level-Zero – H2wOw
Co-authors
Nathan Malbranque (France)
Richard Klein (Slovakia)
Alexandra-Ioana Simon (Romania)
Cătălin Arsene (Romania)
Samuel Štefek (Slovakia)
Nikolay Stoimenov (Bulgaria)
Adrian Mînzat (Romania)
Stoyan Cholakov (Bulgaria)
Project Overview:
H2wOw is an innovative, frugal solution developed by students as part of the Citeuropass program. This project aims to create an accessible and eco-friendly water testing kit, utilizing biotechnology to detect water pollutants without relying on chemical processes.
The Challenge:
With one in four people globally lacking access to safe drinking water, H2wOw addresses the critical need for affordable and reliable water quality testing. Traditional methods are often expensive, time-consuming, or leave harmful chemical residues.
Our Solution:
H2wOw leverages the natural sensitivity of Artemia (brine shrimp) to water contaminants. This biological approach offers a sustainable alternative to chemical testing kits, aligning with Citeuropass’s focus on frugal innovations that use “life as technology”.
1st successful hatching of the Artemias
Key Features:
- Eco-friendly: Uses living organisms instead of chemicals
- Affordable: Designed for cost-effective production and use
- User-friendly: Simple enough for household use
- Sustainable: Minimal environmental impact
- Frugal: Maximizes functionality while minimizing resource use
How It Works:
- The kit includes dormant Artemia eggs and a miniature incubation chamber.
- Users activate the eggs in a water sample.
- After 24 hours, users observe the Artemia’s behavior through a simple microscope attachment.
- The growth patterns and behavior of the Artemia indicate water quality and potential pollutants.
The Team:
H2wOw was developed by a diverse team of students from France, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania, showcasing the power of European collaboration in addressing global challenges.
Learn More:
For a comprehensive overview of the H2wOw project, including detailed technical specifications, research methodology, and potential applications, please consult our full documentation:
