Difference between revisions of "Team:Warwick/Description"
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| − | < | + | <h2>What is our project all about?</h2> |
| − | <h3> | + | <p> Our project is first and foremost about sewage problems. In particular sewage problems in the UK. But what sewage problems does the UK have that the rest of the world doesn't?</p> |
| + | <p><h3>The answer?</h3></p> | ||
| + | <p><h3>Fatbergs!</h3></p> | ||
| + | <p>Fatbergs, as the name implies, are masses of fat, dirt and solid waste which form a blockage in sewer systems. The formation of these structures is caused by the illegal dumping of cooking oils, wet wipes (which are not flushable) and by the structure of old British sewage systems. </p> | ||
| − | <p> | + | <p>These structures can come to weigh tons and require months of work to remove once settled. Our team aims to develop an effective, long term solution to fatberg formation by the creation of an E.coli specie capable of both breaking down fatbergs (prevent blockage) and surviving the harsh conditions of sewage systems.</p> |
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| − | </p> | + | |
| − | </ | + | <p><b>The goal of our project is to develop a biological agent, bacterium or enzyme capable of severely degradating fatbergs or to prevent them althougheter</b></p> |
| − | < | + | <p><h3>Why is a synthetic biology approach needed rather than the pre-established fatberg removal solutions?</h3></p> |
| − | <h3> | + | <p>The answer is both simple and complex. The current approach to fatberg removal requires the use of specialized machinery, workers and most importantly it does not act as a preventive measure for fatberg formation. A clear example of the weakpoints of current fatberg removal strategies can be seen in the removal of the Whitechapel fatberg (pictured below)</p> |
| − | <p> | + | |
| − | </ | + | <img src="https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/8bc5054a75fa9ba44b7a5fc3d264ca6bb54b1287/26_606_5391_3234/master/5391.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=60b611964442625a6eb0f3e87cccba3e" alt="Whitechapel fatberg image"> |
| + | <i>image courtesy of the Guardian</i> | ||
| + | <p>The removal of the Whitechapel, larger than 11 double decker busses, required the use of high power pumps, powertools and even hand tools! The use of these machines crippled the structure of the sewer, by now over 300 years old. In addition, the removal of the Whitechapel required months of workhours which posed health risks to sewage treatment workers.</p> | ||
| + | <p>The use of a biological agent, resistant to the tough conditions of sewer water could breakdown the main components of fatbergs before they even form! This would save years in manhours and prevent both expensive sewer blockages and the degradation of the sewer system itself.</p> | ||
| − | </ | + | <h3>Why fatbergs?</h3> |
| + | <p>What we find most fascinating about fatbergs is its endemic nature to the UK, little to no cases of fatbergs have been reported outside of Britain. Therefore this issue is deeply personal to us. </p> | ||
| + | <p> In addition, this project highlights perhaps one of biology's greatest strengths, the ability for life to survive and thrive in deeply hostile enviorments. </p> | ||
| + | <p>The human element present in fatberg formations is also of great interest to us, since fatbergs are a symptom of population uninformed about the effect of their habits on the sewage system. A key aspect of our project is also to be deeply involved in the public, educating the general public on the disposal of cooking oil and the dangers of wet wipes and other waste</p> | ||
Revision as of 12:48, 28 June 2019
Project description
What is our project all about?
Our project is first and foremost about sewage problems. In particular sewage problems in the UK. But what sewage problems does the UK have that the rest of the world doesn't?
The answer?
Fatbergs!
Fatbergs, as the name implies, are masses of fat, dirt and solid waste which form a blockage in sewer systems. The formation of these structures is caused by the illegal dumping of cooking oils, wet wipes (which are not flushable) and by the structure of old British sewage systems.
These structures can come to weigh tons and require months of work to remove once settled. Our team aims to develop an effective, long term solution to fatberg formation by the creation of an E.coli specie capable of both breaking down fatbergs (prevent blockage) and surviving the harsh conditions of sewage systems.
The goal of our project is to develop a biological agent, bacterium or enzyme capable of severely degradating fatbergs or to prevent them althougheter
Why is a synthetic biology approach needed rather than the pre-established fatberg removal solutions?
The answer is both simple and complex. The current approach to fatberg removal requires the use of specialized machinery, workers and most importantly it does not act as a preventive measure for fatberg formation. A clear example of the weakpoints of current fatberg removal strategies can be seen in the removal of the Whitechapel fatberg (pictured below)
image courtesy of the Guardian
The removal of the Whitechapel, larger than 11 double decker busses, required the use of high power pumps, powertools and even hand tools! The use of these machines crippled the structure of the sewer, by now over 300 years old. In addition, the removal of the Whitechapel required months of workhours which posed health risks to sewage treatment workers.
The use of a biological agent, resistant to the tough conditions of sewer water could breakdown the main components of fatbergs before they even form! This would save years in manhours and prevent both expensive sewer blockages and the degradation of the sewer system itself.
Why fatbergs?
What we find most fascinating about fatbergs is its endemic nature to the UK, little to no cases of fatbergs have been reported outside of Britain. Therefore this issue is deeply personal to us.
In addition, this project highlights perhaps one of biology's greatest strengths, the ability for life to survive and thrive in deeply hostile enviorments.
The human element present in fatberg formations is also of great interest to us, since fatbergs are a symptom of population uninformed about the effect of their habits on the sewage system. A key aspect of our project is also to be deeply involved in the public, educating the general public on the disposal of cooking oil and the dangers of wet wipes and other waste