Background
There is a method of solar water disinfection (SODIS) that lets water be naturally heated by the sun's rays over a period of about six hours. When the amount of UV radiation has peaked, then the water is safe to drink. The water container being a recycled plastic water bottle. This is the cheapest, but least efficient method of solar water disinfection.
Purpose
Experimental research on the gaphchromic polymer will allow us to fabricate a polymer that will change color when the bottle has recieved the allowable amount of UV radiation that indicates pasteurization.
Materials
- Gaphchromic polymer
- UV retardant (sunscreen)
- UV filter
- Solar simulator
Procedure
The solar simulator is approximately 1 kW/sq meter when the sample is {Blank} inches away from the front of the lense of the solar simulator. Combine the gaphchromic polymer with the UV filter and sunscreen, and then leave the sample {blank} inches away from the front of the lense. Take samples from the gaphchromic polymer every ten minutes for 6 hours.