The first part of the project, spearheaded by engineers at the university’s Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training (CADET), involves collecting plastic garbage from around the Pacific Islands and turning it into pellets, which will then be extruded as 3D printer filament. That’s an idea that we’ve seen many times before, but CADET has a very specific plan for the filament that they will be creating from the plastic waste.
“The important part of this project is its sustainability,” said research fellow Dr. Mazher Mohammed. “Not only will the printer be able to use plastic rubbish found nearby, but it will also run off a solar powered battery.”
Dr. Mohammed was part of the Deakin team that created a 3D printed ear for a woman who had lost hers in a car accident more than 55 years ago. He’s an expert in 3D printing, and believes that the technology is key in solving the water crisis. The project, called 3D WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), hopes to hit a stretch goal of $70,000 take the work further. The engineers want to work directly with the communities to identify the types of plastics that can be recycled for 3D printing, as well as creating a library of 3D printable parts and operation manuals to help the communities become self-sufficient in repairing and replacing sanitation and plumbing equipment as needed.
“In the streets of Honiara, there is plastic literally everywhere,” said Tom Rankin, Plan International Austalia’s water, sanitation and hygiene manager. “It clogs up the drains and flows out into the sea, killing marine life. Our aim is to turn this plastic into useful parts.”
With four days left in the campaign, 3D WASH has raised a little over $19,000 of its $30,000 goal. If you’d like to support the project, you can do so here. Discuss in the 3D WASH forum at 3DPB.com.
Learn more about 3D WASH below: