Two Austrian students developed a new way to keep swimming pool water clean and clear without having to use dangerous chemicals. They are now considering patenting their invention.
Lukas Brenner (19) and Christoph Ritzberger (20) have just graduated from higher technical school in Austria, where they developed and prototyped a new kind of pool cleaning system. It works without the dumping of dangerous chemicals in the pool water, something that is always a threat to the safety of children, Christoph pointed out.
They developed a computer-controlled system that monitors temperature, acidity and other chemical aspects affecting water clarity. The heart of the system is an electrolytic cell through which water is channelled. The computer system automatically adds common salt and sodium sulphate to adjust the water acidity.
The electrolysis also frees chlorine, which disinfects the water. Nothing else is added to the water to keep it clean and clear, with the only other step being the use of a sand filter, explained Lukas.
They entered the national Austrian competition for environmental projects and were one of three short-listed from a total of 277. They then took first prize and the right to attend the annual EU Contest for Young Scientists now under way in Dublin.
"It is really great meeting people from other countries and talking in English," Christoph said. "You get a lot of practice."
Carlos Arsénio designed and built a robotic spider while a student at ETP Sicó in Leiria, Portugal. He won a national competition for young scientists and is now an exhibitor at the EU competition, although he has graduated and is now studying towards an electronic engineering degree.
The "spider" is completely automated and controlled remotely by radio link. "Because it uses radio frequencies its range is very limited," he said, with the controls operating over distances of about 30 metres.
It walks on six rather than a spider's eight legs, but Carlos's design requires the use of only two servo motors for them. A third servo motor controls a "grip" to the front that allows the spider to hold and lift objects.
The spider also has a camera, allowing Carlos to watch its progress on a remote television screen.
