Innovate for Impact: Siemens Design Challenge

We’re challenging innovators around the world – from Siemens, from academia to private industry, as well as at NGOs and public organizations – to use technology to address the challenges of meeting the planet’s need for adequate food and clean water.

Tracks

ZERO HUNGER TRACK

Design a postharvest off-grid preservation technology

Problem definition:
A way to reduce the farm-to-table food loss in lower resource settings that lack electricity

Background:
Roughly one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — approximately 1.3 billion tons — is lost or wasted at a cost of roughly US $680 billion in industrialized countries and US $310 billion in developing countries. In developing countries, 40% of losses occur during the post-harvest and processing phases of food production. Food waste contributes up to 70 gigatons of greenhouse gases, or 11 percent of total emissions, therefore directly contributing to Climate Change.

Example of Applications:

1. Storage
2. Refrigeration

Prize:
One winner/winning team will be selected for the track. The winner will receive $10,000 USD and the opportunity to meet Siemens USA CEO in person. The winner will be promoted across Siemens USA and Engineering for Change platforms and receive exclusive invitations to industry events.

CLEAN WATER TRACK

Design a very low-cost, energy-efficient, scalable technology for desalinating brackish water

Problem definition:
A way to remove salt contamination from water that is low-cost and energy-efficient.

Background:
97.5% of water on the Earth contains a high-concentration of salt, making it unsuitable for drinking or farming. By 2030, nearly 35% of the world’s human population will be living in water-stressed countries. Most water that is used for drinking and farming comes from low-salt or salt-free underground sources or surface water. However, due to increasing droughts and saltwater intrusion by rising sea levels brought on by climate change, these water sources are becoming more and more unreliable. Worldwide, engineers and scientists race to develop innovative methods to remove salt from water, but current solutions are extremely energy-intensive and high-cost.

Example of Applications:

1. Drinking water
2. Irrigation for farming

Prize:
One winner/winning team will be selected for the track. The winner will receive $10,000 USD and the opportunity to meet Siemens USA CEO in person. The winner will be promoted across Siemens USA and Engineering for Change platforms and receive exclusive invitations to industry events.

Criteria

Throughout the challenge, you will be asked to:

• Submit a text based application, explaining the problem area you are addressing and your proposed solution
• Submit a short (60 seconds maximum) video introducing your team and product concept
• Research and explore the needs of your end user
• Design your concept in 3D CAD
• Iterate your design based on the research you have conducted and provide justification for your decisions
• Simulate how your product works
• Submit a video pitch of your proposed solution

Applications open March 4, 2020. Sign-up as an E4C Member for updates!

Design Challenge Submission Checklist

• Sign-up as a member on the Engineering for Change (E4C) website. It's free!
• Familiarize yourself with the Resources section, in particular —
  • SDGs and 50 Breakthroughs
  • Tools provided by E4C and Siemens
• Identify a problem, or opportunity, within one of the two stated challenge tracks above. Consider prior-art and how access, efficiency and/or usability might be improved through design, engineering or manufacturing.
• Review the Design Parameters document for your selected track. (below)
• Assemble a team. While individuals may participate by themselves, it is highly beneficial to leverage diverse backgrounds. Team composition will be considered during the judging process.
• Draft an initial solution concept. Note that you will refine this concept over the course of the challenge. Solutions should address one of the two challenges posted. (At the planning & concept phase, concepts may be explorative, but should start to answer the questions listed in the Design Parameters.)
• Log in to your Engineering for Change account and download your free license of Siemens Solid Edge 3D CAD software here.

MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS CHALLENGE CANBE FOUND HERE

Staff Writer

This article was written and edited by a staff writer.