Project Description
Water is a critical resource that is increasingly coming under threat from pollution and contamination. The World Health Organization estimates that 29% of the global population lacks access to safe drinking water. Water metering is critical to the management, treatment, and distribution of water. Mass deployment of sensors, to measure water flow rates as part of the internet of things (IOT) has the potential to improve the efficiency of treatment, industrial, and distribution processes while identifying and preventing losses. Current flow meters have focused on accuracy and precision, leading to relatively large and expensive devices that are not well suited for IOT applications. The water industry has identified a need for low cost meters that can sense low flow rates.
Tasks and Responsibilites
This research is exploring the design of low cost flow meters targeted for low flow rates and leak detection from basic design to prototype synthesis and testing. Work could involve: Computer Aided Design of flow meters, 3D printing or laser cutting of molds and casting of polymers to make prototypes, and hands on testing in labs both on site and run by BadgerMeter at the Global Water Center.
Desired Qualifications
None listed.