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Our Vision
JellyFilter is a novel method to filter out nanoplastics in public water supplies. We will utilize a unique protein found in jellyfish mucus to capture nanoplastics, which are small enough to bypass filter pores. The protein traps microplastics in the water (Stopar et. al, 2021), which will help remove them from the water.
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The JellyFilter is designed to be implemented as the first step of water treatment, directly after the water comes in from lakes and before the coagulation process, where larger particles are removed from the water.
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Our proposal is split into two main sections: the use of genetically modified E. coli and the use of a spiral filter.
What is JellyFilter?
Overview
1. Identification & Removal of Gene of Interest
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3. Mass Production of Jellyfish Glycoprotein
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2. Transformation of E. coli with Gene of Interest
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4. Attachment of Protein onto Spiral Filter
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Part 1: Genetically Modified E. coli
Our technology involves the mass production of these proteins and the accompanying mucus.
To do this, we will first remove the gene responsible for this protein from the Aurelia sp. jellyfish. After doing so, genetically engineered E. coli that have been transformed with the gene of interest will produce these jellyfish glycoproteins.
The protein will be filtered out and purified in this separate lab facility. Such a process has already been proven successful through the mass manufacture of insulin through E. coli and yeast (Redwan et. al, 2014).
Upon obtaining the protein, it will be coated on and bound to the filter, which is described in part 2 of our proposal.
Image by JellyFilter Team
Part 2: Spiral Filter
Our design for the JellyFilter is a spiral filter placed into a pipe connector so it can join two pipes and can be replaced easily.
On the surface of the spiral, there will be holes with substrates that hold the glycoproteins in place. There will be a hollow tube in the middle of the spiral that contains these proteins, which will be released every 3 months to replace the old glycoproteins that would be saturated with nanoplastics.
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When the old, saturated glycoproteins are released, they will be removed during the coagulation process. They would form flocs with the coagulant used because it exhibits the same properties as the other impurities that coagulation removes.
Image by JellyFilter Team
Our Prototype/Model
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To bring our design to life, we decided to create a physical model of it.
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We did this by creating a 3D model of it in TinkerCad first before transferring the design to a 3D printer. We printed out two specific spirals, one to fit into an average-sized pipe that we bought at a local hardware store and one that was slightly smaller but could fully show our spiral design.
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Through the use of these physical prototypes and 3D renditions of our idea, we were able to properly share our design. These prototypes were a scaled-down version of our vision but were sufficient in displaying what we wanted to convey and is capable of being scaled up into an industrial size.
Image by JellyFilter Team
Video by JellyFilter Team