For this assignment, we were given lots of room to be creative. Finding a problem and solving it is what an engineer does, and that's what we were assigned to do. Come up with a solution for a real life issue, using our unique point of view as students and individuals. Here is what I came up with.
Engineering Innovation:
1a- What problem are you solving, What are the constraints?
The problem I’d be solving would be the issue of single use plastics and how they pollute landfills and the ocean. This releases microplastics into the environment, poisons our food and increases overall litter. The main constraints with this is the sheer amount that is already in pollution and how much more economically viable it is to use them. A case of Liquid Death will cost around 16 dollars, while a whole 32 pack of Deer Park comes out to just 6 dollars.
1b- What specific needs such as welfare, safety, public health, social, environmental, global, economical considerations you had in mind when selecting this problem.
The main needs I considered were the public health and environmental aspects of the issue. With microplastics in basically everything now, health risks are only increasing. The environment also suffers, as SUPPs do not decompose easily, and they can make the environment toxic and dangerous for the animals to live in. I also considered the economic side of this, as by solving the issue, it would economically strain large corporations, who might not be as willing to give up on SUPPs.
2- What is your engineering solution, Engineering Design and Specifications, etc.?
My engineering solution would be to develop certain chemicals with chemical engineering, that degrade plastics that are already in the ocean and environment, distributing it over time through automated dispensers that are built to sail and solve the problem. It would need to be cost effective, something I need to factor in. I also plan to change the manufacturing of plastics by using engineering principles to make aluminum cans, the alternative, more popular. I would introduce new machines that make it cost effective to manufacture aluminum, or create a new recycling process that also makes it easier.
3a- What are the created values?
By focusing on the cost impact of the project, good economic values are created, as I would reduce costs of the industry and the solution. And by focusing on the health of the planet, selflessness would be created, as the main goal would be to focus on the environment. Lastly, values of responsibility would also be developed, as I would assume responsibility of humans trashing the Earth.
3b- What are the impact of your engineering solutions in global, environmental, economic, and social contexts?
The main impact would be the improving of the environment, and the change every plastic using business would face would be an economical one. By focusing more on aluminum and metal cans, the social narrative would also change, for the better.
