FOODROP

Para qué sirve

Enables the dehydration of fruits and vegetables to increase their shelf life, thus preventing food waste and allowing storage for times of scarcity. It also serves to purify and clean dirty water through distillation

Qué te inspiró

The inspiration came from the recent heatwaves experienced worldwide, particularly in my country. There are states in Mexico that have surpassed temperatures of 50°C, and coupled with the water supply issues in many regions, the lives of many of us are being affected. However, those most impacted are individuals from low-income backgrounds who lack cooling systems. Their crops spoil more quickly, and they lack access to clean water for their daily needs. I believe that ecotechnologies can greatly assist these individuals as they are affordable, easy to implement, and help educate the population on environmental and sustainable issues

Cómo funciona

The dehydrator uses ambient heat and utilizes air circulation to remove moisture from fruits and foods, thus allowing for their preservation for a longer period. The black color of the interior absorbs solar radiation and raises the temperature inside to above 60°C. The transparent top allows direct radiation to reach inside, and the openings at the bottom and top of the container enable air circulation, removing moisture from the inside. The second part is the water purifier that also utilizes the black color to increase the temperature inside, which allows for the evaporation of water in the first compartment (dirty water). When the water evaporates, it condenses on the upper lid and drips down the conical part into the second compartment, now clean. The purification of water occurs because the dissolved elements in the water (dirt, salt, sugars, metals) do not evaporate in this state.

Proceso de diseño

The design process of Foodrop began in an eco-design class. In this class, we created dehydrators using black-painted boxes and tested them to see if they were effective, where, how, and at what angle. Once I had that information, I thought of a way to further professionalize those concepts. I realized that commercial dehydrators are often priced high despite their materials not being of the best quality. Additionally, most homemade dehydrators people create are made using materials like cardboard, MDF, and wood, which are prone to rotting, emitting odors, and harboring insects if not regularly replaced. Furthermore, many paints release toxic gases when exposed to heat, a fact that many people overlook. For the professionalization of the project, polymers were chosen. They have higher temperature resistance and are less likely to contaminate the food easily. However, it was also considered that many of these materials are not biodegradable. Therefore, during the research and experimentation process of shaping the product, a simple semicircular shape was chosen. This shape is easy to mold and suitable for various manufacturing processes. Finally, research was conducted on other types of eco-technologies to complement the dehydrator, and the water purifier was selected.

Qué lo hace diferente

Compared to other eco-technologies, the simple design of Foodrop is intended to be an easily producible object, reducing costs and thus increasing the likelihood of commercialization. It can be manufactured in any polymer material. Being user-friendly and not requiring self-assembly, it is more likely that people can incorporate it into their daily lives. Additionally, unlike other eco-technologies commonly made of painted wood and cardboard, which can become infested with insects and release toxic gases from the paint, Foodrop provides a safer long-term solution for health. It also eliminates the need for constant maintenance. Furthermore, Foodrop incorporates two functions in one, enhancing the overall quality of life by enabling water conservation.

Planes para el futuro

To begin with, it is important to introduce the idea to the general public in order to popularize the use of eco-technologies. I believe a good starting point would be to create prototypes and distribute them in local communities to assist them during times of drought and to gather more insights into people's needs. This would allow for the gradual addition of more features or modifications. In the future, I hope to collaborate with engineers, chemists, and biologists to create Foodrop prototypes using bioplastics, making it a fully sustainable product.

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