What is the name of your solution?
Aavalor EcoTech Water Filter
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
Aavalor's EcoTech Water Filter is capable of filtering waste water in a more eco-friendly and effective manner compared to others on the market.
What specific problem are you solving?
The problem that Aavalor Green Energy is working to tackle is a lack of access to BOTH sustainable and effective water purification solutions. Generally speaking, companies develop either an eco-friendly water purification solution that is water/energy efficient, or a highly effective one that is capable of filtering waste water. There are none that does both. Currently, there is a large innovation gap with a reliance on outdated, RO technology, providing an opportunity for new age tech to takeover. Current eco-friendly purifiers on the market are not able to effectively purify waste water; they are able to remove some, but not all toxins. Whereas purifiers on the market that are capable of filtering waste water, tend to be very resource and energy wasteful; they require lots of energy to function, and waste at minimum, 40% of water during the filtration process.
Furthermore, there is the overall problem of the Global Water Crisis (UNSDG #6). Currently, 30% of the World lacks access to clean drinking and sanitation water. This is in large part due to a lack of innovation within the water sector (i.e. reliance on outdated, RO technology).
What is your solution?
Our EcoTech Filter utilizes the new-age material, graphene, to filter water at the nanomolecular level with the forces of gravity. Because our filter operates using the forces of gravity, it requires no energy to operate. Graphene is a recyclable and more durable material that requires little maintenance. Nanotechnology enables our purifier to filter 99.99% of toxins, including viruses and heavy metals. Our graphene membrane that operates at the nanomolecular level will filter waste water more effectively and sustainably compared to any other filter on the market.
As time progresses, we plan to develop a large scale water filtration system that uses the same technology to function. Again, it will require no electricity to function and will filter water effectively.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our initial product will be for individual/family use in the developed parts of the world. We will sell our product at a wholesale value to water, desalinator and big-box organizations that will then sell our filter to their target audience(s). End users are likely to be individuals who value highly purified water without the use of electricity. Our technology may be used in first aid kits and hurricane relief packages to provide water to those who desperately need it. It may also be used by military personnel who operate in territories that have no access to electricity.
A large scale version of our EcoTech Water Filter will utilize the same technology to filter water on a grander scale. A functioning large scale system will require 3 - 4 large filters that filter waste water simultaneously. Potential applications for our large scale system includes Industrial waste water purification, Village water system purification, Large scale desalination and Hydrogen energy generation. Our large scale systems will provide access to clean drinking and sanitation water for people in the developing parts of the world who currently lack it (UNSDG #6). The application of our large scale purification system to be used in a Hydrogen energy generator also supports efforts to identify sustainable energy solutions (UNSDG #7).
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
I, Ian Shepardson, am located in the USA and our strategic advisor, Prajwal Nirwan, is located in the UK. Our initial go to market strategy is to focus on selling our product at a wholesale value to organizations in developed parts of the world. Because two of our team members are located in the developed parts of the world, we have a strong understanding for the current water filters on the market and the lack of innovation within. We also understand that market trends are pushing for more sustainable solutions that do not sacrifice functionality, to complete everyday functions.
Our CTO, Aryan Aviraj, is based in India and understands firsthand the problems that arise due to a lack of access to clean drinking and sanitation water. Aryan also understands the cultural structures within India and may provide key insights into how we may best bring our product to market in this part of the world. That way, when we are ready to sell to people/companies in India, we will have key insights in order to succeed.
As we continue to develop our product, we will rely heavily on conducting research groups and market tests to better understand the end users within our target communities, and their wants/desires from their water filtration system. Our main goal, however, is to speak with our customer base (water organizations/wholesale companies) to understand what they need from a filtration standpoint.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Enable mass production of inexpensive and low-carbon housing, including changes to design, materials, and construction methods.
Where our solution team is headquartered or located:
Ranchi, Jharkhand, IndiaOur solution's stage of development:
PrototypeWhy are you applying to Solve?
We are applying to Solve for a multitude of reasons. Right now, we are currently in our product development stage. In order to progress through this stage, we require monetary support, as well as technical support. Through MIT Solve's network, not only do we hope to receive an initial round of funding, but we hope to gain expertise in the fields of graphene, nanotechnology and water filtration. We require technical support that will help to fuel the innovation of our product.
Furthermore, we also hope to gain a strong network of business and supply chain leaders. We want to position ourselves in the best light possible to our target customers and potential investors. This means that we need to speak to potential customers. It also means that we need to speak with potential suppliers. We need to better understand the costs involved in manufacturing our product, as well as the opportunity for wholesale sales.
We look at MIT Solve as a way for us to achieve these needs, especially since it is located in America (our target audience for our initial go to market strategy).
Lastly, we are currently established in India and are looking for a second home for us to establish roots in; however, it needs to make strategic sense. The UK is a potential opportunity, as well as the USA. If MIT Solve were to select us, we will setup a subsidiary organization here in the US. This will open the door for advancement in the States.
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Technology (e.g. software or hardware, web development/design, data analysis, etc.)
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Ian Shepardosn
What makes your solution innovative?
Our company is working to provide a more effective and eco-friendly solution to the water purification market. Current purifiers on the market tend to focus on one or the other (effectiveness or eco-friendliness). The reason being is that they are using outdated technology. Our purifier utilizes the new-age material, graphene, to filter water at the nanomolecular level with the forces of gravity. Graphene is a recyclable material that is durable (meaning it requires little maintenance). Nanotechnology enables our purifier to filter 99.99% of toxins, including viruses and heavy metals. Our EcoTech Water Filter will provide families and individuals around the World with cleaner water in a more sustainable manner. The utilization of graphene materials in our product is unique in and of itself due to the fact that it is a relatively new material on the market. Furthermore, the properties of graphene allow us to manipulate the material at the nanomolecular level which is a relatively young aspect of engineering.
Most, if not all gravity-based filters that are available on the market do not filter water effectively. The same thing goes for most eco-friendly solutions. Whereas most effective purifiers waste water, utilize large amounts of energy (comparatively speaking) and do not filter microplastics. Furthermore, many purification companies utilize outdated technology to filter water. Ours will address all of the problems mentioned of current water purification solutions.
What are your impact goals for the next year and the next five years, and how will you achieve them?
Impact Goals for the Next Year:
Identify and work with suppliers/manufacturers who value supply chain solutions and ethical labor work.
Sell our product to wholesale organizations who provide end users with a more sustainable solution to their current at-home water purifiers.
Impact Goals for the Next Five Years:
Sell our small-scale EcoTech Water Filter to city/state/national governments to be used by military and first aid responders.
Develop a large-scale EcoTech Water Filter to be used in multiple capacities: 1) Village water supply 2) Industrial waste water filter 3) Large scale desalinator 4) Hydrogen energy generation.
These large scale applications will succeed in creating impact at multiple levels: 1) Provide access to clean drinking water to people who currently lack it (UNSDG #6) 2) Identifying potential processes for desalination 3) Providing new methods to support the work in development of sustainable energy.
We plan to achieve these goals by focusing on what is directly in front of us. For now, our small scale EcoTech filter is what is directly in front of us. We will continue with our product development. We will connect with customers and suppliers to understand what is necessary and what we are capable of accomplishing. Ideally, we will use the MIT Solve network to connect with both potential suppliers and potential customers. We will develop a singular small-scale filter that may be used at multiple capacities to increase our USP.
How are you measuring your progress toward your impact goals?
KPIs that we will utilize with our product:
Improvement in water efficiency (compared to other filters)
Improvement in energy efficiency (compared to other filters)
Durability of our purifier (how long it lasts)
Number of individuals/families who gain access to clean drinking/sanitation water through our product
As we are currently in the prototype stage, we are not currently using these KPIs.
What is your theory of change?
Our solution will have an impact on the problem because the World currently has a lot of waste water with little idea of what to do with it. Especially in developing parts of the world, waste water is everywhere. Our technology enables people to utilize previously deemed dirty water, to create fresh, clean drinking water. No other product on the market is able to do this as eco-friendly and effectively.
As mentioned previously, there is a heavy reliance on outdated RO technology in the water purification market. RO technology is resource intensive as it requires regular maintenance, it uses electricity to function and it wastes a lot of water. Because of this, RO technology tends to be rather expensive and ineffective in developing parts of the world where access to funds and electricity is limited.
Our product changes this dynamic. Now, people around the world are able to filter water in a more sustainable and effective manner. People who have no electricity will be able to take water from a nearby puddle, deliver it through our filter and drink the cleaned water that is produced. No other product on the market can do this.
Furthermore, our product is proven (lab tested) to be effective at removing salt from water, without the use of electricity. This means that people may take ocean water, put it through our filter and drink the clean water that is produced. No other product on the market can do this.
Describe the core technology that powers your solution.
Our EcoTech Filter (patent pending) utilizes the new-age material, graphene, to filter water at the nanomolecular level with the forces of gravity. Because our filter operates using the forces of gravity, it requires no energy to operate. Graphene is a recyclable and more durable material that requires little maintenance. Nanotechnology enables our purifier to filter 99.99% of toxins, including viruses and heavy metals. Our graphene membrane that operates at the nanomolecular level will filter waste water more effectively and sustainably compared to any other filter on the market. Our filter will be much more durable as it contains graphene which inherits antifouling properties and will be more water-efficient than the existing solutions.
As time progresses, we plan to develop a large scale water filtration system that uses the same technology to function. Again, it will require no electricity to function and will filter water effectively.
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new technology
How do you know that this technology works?
Our product has been lab tested, and lab approved by a government laboratory in India. It tested positive for removing a majority of toxins, heavy metals, as well as salt.
Furthermore, global scientists have been working to validate the use of graphene in the water filtration process. Positive results indicate that graphene is a ground breaking material in the quest to identify new water purification technology, as it reduces toxins, chemicals and metals within water. See links below for further proof of tests conducted:
https://nanografi.com/blog/gra...
https://www.researchgate.net/p...
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
In which countries do you currently operate?
In which countries will you be operating within the next year?
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
How many people work on your solution team?
2
How long have you been working on your solution?
14 Months
What is your approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into your work?
Our current team members are fairly diverse:
Ian Shepardson (CEO): White, Male, USA
Aryan Aviraj (CTO): Indian, Male, India
Prajwal Nirwan (Strategic Advisor): Indian, Male, UK
There is a lack of female representation, and representation from other ethnicities (African, Middle Eastern, etc.). Through the development of our organization, we plan to address this lack of representation as we strongly value a highly diverse team that brings forth new ideas, perspectives and understandings.
What is your business model?
We will sell our product from a B2B2C capacity: this includes wholesale organizations, water companies, desalination companies and other potential businesses throughout the World. Our initial end users are individuals who are health and eco-friendly conscious. Therefore, we will sell our product to companies at a wholesale rate that value effective products, of which provide social good to the world at an affordable rate. This will include selling our product to big box, retail organizations.
We will also sell our product B2G as it may be used by military personnel and first responders.
Large scale application:
For our large scale application, we will sell our product B2B and B2G.
We will sell our product to companies that require clean water in their production practices. This may include pharmaceutical, textile, marine and shipping organizations. Additionally, food and beverage organizations require lots of water to operate. Our large scale application will enable these businesses to filter waste water for their use.
We will sell our large scale water filter to aid companies in their efforts of desalination. This will include marine, shipping and other ocean-based organizations.
We will also sell our large scale water filter to villages as well as city, town and country governments. This will aid governments in their efforts to provide their citizens with access to clean drinking/sanitation water. We may also sell this to NGOs, the United Nations and other government agencies that are actively working to address these issues.
Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, to other organizations, or to the government?
Organizations (B2B)What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable?
At first we aim to receive funding from incubators, accelerators and possibly grants. We require a small amount of funding to get us through our next few stages of product development.
From there, we aim to generate funding through clean tech investors, VCs and other climate funders. This will help us bring our product to the market and access different potential clients.
Afterwards, we will use revenue from our small-scale filter, as well as further investments, to develop our large scale purification system.
Solution Team
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Our Organization
Aavalor Green Energy