A Gravity-Powered Antimicrobial Solution for Drought Zones
A water-efficient, gravity-powered device designed to reduce antimicrobial resistance spread in drought zones through neem biochar delivery and passive filtration.
Who
Brian Kang, Ethan Kim, June Choi, Dana Kim, Minje Guan
Background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is accelerating in under-resourced regions, particularly those experiencing water scarcity. Poor hygiene conditions in drought zones amplify pathogen spread and medication misuse.
What We Built
GraviDrop is a gravity-powered water treatment and delivery system that integrates neem-based biochar to neutralize microbial load while delivering clean water for irrigation or hygiene. The system operates without electricity and was designed for low-cost deployment in rural settings.
Modeling & Research
We modeled how reduced water access increases AMR risk and tested the feasibility of using passive water pressure to activate antimicrobial biochar release. The team evaluated performance under various rainfall and contamination conditions using comparative flow modeling.
Impact
GraviDrop aims to offer a triple-impact solution:
Reduce disease transmission
Lower antibiotic misuse
Provide sustainable water access in climate-vulnerable areas
Outcome
Finalist entry in the 2025 Oxford Saïd Global Climate Change Challenge, competing internationally for sustainable tech solutions.
Who
Brian Kang, Ethan Kim, June Choi, Dana Kim, Minje Guan
Background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is accelerating in under-resourced regions, particularly those experiencing water scarcity. Poor hygiene conditions in drought zones amplify pathogen spread and medication misuse.
What We Built
GraviDrop is a gravity-powered water treatment and delivery system that integrates neem-based biochar to neutralize microbial load while delivering clean water for irrigation or hygiene. The system operates without electricity and was designed for low-cost deployment in rural settings.
Modeling & Research
We modeled how reduced water access increases AMR risk and tested the feasibility of using passive water pressure to activate antimicrobial biochar release. The team evaluated performance under various rainfall and contamination conditions using comparative flow modeling.
Impact
GraviDrop aims to offer a triple-impact solution:
Reduce disease transmission
Lower antibiotic misuse
Provide sustainable water access in climate-vulnerable areas
Outcome
Finalist entry in the 2025 Oxford Saïd Global Climate Change Challenge, competing internationally for sustainable tech solutions.
Who
Brian Kang, Ethan Kim, June Choi, Dana Kim, Minje Guan
Background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is accelerating in under-resourced regions, particularly those experiencing water scarcity. Poor hygiene conditions in drought zones amplify pathogen spread and medication misuse.
What We Built
GraviDrop is a gravity-powered water treatment and delivery system that integrates neem-based biochar to neutralize microbial load while delivering clean water for irrigation or hygiene. The system operates without electricity and was designed for low-cost deployment in rural settings.
Modeling & Research
We modeled how reduced water access increases AMR risk and tested the feasibility of using passive water pressure to activate antimicrobial biochar release. The team evaluated performance under various rainfall and contamination conditions using comparative flow modeling.
Impact
GraviDrop aims to offer a triple-impact solution:
Reduce disease transmission
Lower antibiotic misuse
Provide sustainable water access in climate-vulnerable areas
Outcome
Finalist entry in the 2025 Oxford Saïd Global Climate Change Challenge, competing internationally for sustainable tech solutions.
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