Rachel Brouwer (born 2001 or 2002)[1] is a Canadian from Bedford, Nova Scotia, who while still a secondary student invented a new method of killing bacteria in drinking water which requires no fuel and uses material commonly available in third-world countries.[2]

Early life and education

Rachel Brouwer was a student at Bedford Academy when she invented her device. After graduation from Bedford Academy, Brouwer became a student at Charles P. Allen High School.

Invention and awards

She started developing her purification system when she was eleven years old. She was inspired after reading about cholera in I Am Malala the biography of Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai and seeing "do not drink" signs posted during a trip.[3] The next year she demonstrated it at the Halifax Science Expo.[4] Later, Brouwer entered her invention in the Canada-Wide Science Fair, and won a gold medal.[5][6]

Brouwer's water pasteurizer is made of ABS pipe, plastic water bottles, cotton and charcoal.[7] The water is heated in the sun and bacteria are killed by ultraviolet radiation; Brouwer created a temperature indicator made of soybean wax so that users can tell when the water is safe to drink.[8][9]

In 2015 she was named a community hero by the Halifax Mooseheads.[10] That year she began raising funds to patent her system,[11] and to produce the wax temperature-indicators.[12]

In 2016 Brouwer was one of eight students chosen to represent Canada at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona.[13][14] She came second in the Earth and Environmental Sciences category. As well as a $1,500 cash prize, she has had an asteroid named after her by the International Astronomical Union.

Plans were made to test the water purifier in Africa, and Brouwer has been invited to Pakistan by the Swat Relief Initiative the foundation Malala interned for to test it there.[15]

After graduating from high school Rachel Brouwer became a political science student at Dalhousie University. While there she interacted with students from Africa including Kenya and Gambia. In discussing economic development the African students made repeat references to the importance of safe household water. Due to their interest and involvement, the Brouwer water purification device is being implemented in pilot projects in Kenya and Gambia.[16]

Personal

In addition to her scientific work, Brouwer plays on soccer teams and operates a small business selling skin-care products.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Bedford student has asteroid named for her after international science fair win". CBC News. May 26, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  2. ↑ Parsons, Katy (June 3, 2015). "Rachel Brouwer's water-cleaning system to be tested in Africa". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  3. ↑ "Drink This: Young Entrepreneur Making Global Impact" Archived 2015-08-26 at the Wayback Machine. One NS
  4. ↑ Darnaud, Gina (March 24, 2016). "Meet the teen who invented a revolutionary water purifier". Global Citizen. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  5. ↑ Burke, David (March 22, 2016). "Bedford student heads to Intel International Science and Engineering Fair". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  6. ↑ Cousins, Ben (June 23, 2015). "Bedford student scores science gold". The Chronicle Herald. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  7. ↑ Cousins, Ben (May 24, 2016). "Bedford science whiz Rachel Brouwer now has her own asteroid". The Chronicle Herald. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  8. ↑ Richard, Joanne (April 18, 2016). "Their future is bright: Canadian whiz kids set for International science fair". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  9. ↑ Rent, Suzanne (July 25, 2016). "Young inventor". Halifax Magazine. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  10. ↑ Lipscombe, Kristen (November 5, 2015). "Thirst to make a difference: Bedford teen recognized for coming up with new way to clean water in third world". Metro News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  11. ↑ "ENTREVESTOR: Teen inventor aims to improve water quality". The Chronicle Herald. December 25, 2015. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  12. ↑ "N.S. teen hopes to bring life-saving water system to Uganda and Pakistan". The Chronicle Herald. February 10, 2016. Archived from the original on February 11, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  13. ↑ "N.S. prodigy picked to represent Canada at international science fair". The Chronicle Herald. March 25, 2016. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  14. ↑ Cole, Jonah (March 20, 2016). "Bedford student's water project picked for international competition". Kings County Signal. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  15. 1 2 "Nova Scotia teen inventor thirsting to make a difference". CBC: The National, Peter Mansbridge. Posted: May 09, 2016
  16. ↑ "Bedford, Nova Scotia woman's water purification system to launch pilot program in Africa". Global News. June 20, 2022. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
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