Thai team wins top prize for water-conservation device

The Nation
STOCKHOLM 

 

STOCKHOLM: -- THAI students Sureeporn Triphetprapa, Thidarat Phianchat and Kanjana Komkla won the 2016 Stockholm Junior Water Prize on Tuesday for their device that mimics the water-retention properties of the Bromeliad plant.

 

The three beat contestants from 29 countries in the finals, impressing the jury with their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm and passion for conserving water, the winning citation said. 

"The winning project addresses future water security and rural livelihoods using an elegant leap-frog technology, which looks simple, but its beauty masks its complexity," the jury said in its citation.

"It has already proven to be scalable and is now being tested in the field by hundreds of farmers, who are now benefiting from inspiration from beautiful plants that have an exceptional capacity to collect and store water."

The prize was presented by Sweden's HRH Prince Carl Philip at a ceremony during World Water Week in Stockholm. 

The students examined the efficacy of natural water collection by plants - especially in terms of the shape of plants that collect and capture water - and were inspired by the Bromeliad plant. 

The device, which has been installed on rubber trees, proves that nature is the best teacher, participants said. 

Asked how she wanted to take the project further, Sureeporn said: "I will use our idea to relieve poverty in our community."

Torgny Holmgren, executive director of the Stockholm International Water Institute, said: "This shows that to make real progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to start at the local level. This is a very good example of that - a simple, smart and scalable solution, making a big difference." 

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition brings together the world's brightest young scientists to encourage their continued interest in conserving water and the environment. This year, thousands of participants from across the world joined national competitions for the chance to represent their nation at the international finals held during World Water Week in Stockholm. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thai-team-wins-top-prize-for-water-conservation-de-30294211.html

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-09-01

I the the story was going to suggest that Thais had invented a bucket and sponge method to wash their cars , rather than a hose ! 

Banning Songran would be far more effective,

Sounds like Agenda 21 is still alive and ticking.

Every credit to these people. It is incredibly difficult to be original, but these kids have nailed it. Anything that aids conservation is a great thing in my estimation. Hats off

Interesting idea.

Leaves capture water: Bromeliads

http://www.asknature.org/strategy/5c3f3f250731561714d60f47585eba0e

 

5 hours ago, mikebell said:

Banning Songran would be far more effective,

 

... or limiting it to one or 2 days max.

5 hours ago, mikebell said:

Banning Songran would be far more effective,

 

... or limiting it to one or 2 days max.

And the first price for successful water conservation goes to the hero in the yellow boots( thank Buddha they're not Burberry)...

Don't see the Swedes disqualifying them cause they're not Swedish.