Problem: To compensate for extremely low water pressure, many households in India use suction pumps to syphon water out of the system. These pumps can suck rain and sewage into the water system. Unfortunately, removing these pumps would leave customers without water.

Analysis: A pressure sustaining valve, installed at every customer’s home would prevent the harm of pumps, while keeping their benefits.

Solution: Field tests in Old, East, and South Delhi proved the valve significantly reduced the severe negative pressure and contamination risk caused by pumps.

Outcome: MIT filed this PCT based directly on my work, and they have subsequently applied for a patent in India:

Design Process/Evolution: Details of my design process can be found in the following separate subsections:

1. Problem Analysis & Initial Strategy Selection – choosing a pressure sustaining valve
2. Concept Generation and Selection – choosing a Starting resistor
3. Concept Refinement – inventing a stabilized Starling resistor
4. Tamper Proofing – separating the user from the sensitive parts
5. Increasing Durability – moving away from plastic parts
6. Decreasing Costs – reducing the part count and complexity
7. Field Testing – verifying performance in Delhi