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The world-changing invention that didn't
Michael Pritchard is frustrated.
In 2007, he invented a water purification device that newspapers and TV
shows lauded as an invention that could change the world. But it hasn’t. |
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Pritchard hid himself
away in his garage and start designing after the twin tragedies of the
Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, he told the audience at TEDGlobal
in Oxford. He was appalled by how much time it took authorities to get
water to people, especially in the US, where people sheltering in the
New Orleans Superdome were desperate enough to kill for water.
The result of his work was the
lifesaver
water-purification bottle, which uses a non-chemical ceramic filter
designed to block viruses measuring in at just 25 nanometers. The filter
can produce 6,000 litres of water before needing to be changed.
By October 2008, Pritchard had altered the design for a far bigger water
container – the Lifesaver hydrocarry UF. This has a 6,000-litre capacity
and, like the smaller bottle, uses advanced ultra filtration technology
to remove bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites, fungi and all other
waterborne pathogens without the use of chemicals.
Both devices provide clean water at source, meaning that victims of
natural or human disasters wouldn’t have to travel to find water.
Instead they could remain by their land and rebuild their homes.
Pritchard said that the military in both the US and UK have showed
interest, but he feels frustrated that this device isn’t being used
around the world.“One of the devices cost just
5p a day when you break down the price of the device over how long you
can use it," he said. "To provide everyone across the world with clean
water using the Lifesaver system would cost the world $20 billion. To
put this into context, the UK’s current spend on foreign aid is $12
billion.
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