What can we do to improve humanity's resilience to an escalating climate crisis? How can we better prepare and support families and communities to cope with climate-related disasters?
Petra Wadström, designer, artist and inventor. Photo: Mikael Sjöberg
On Tuesday, November 28th Petra Wadström, founder of Solvatten and the recipient of the KTH Great Prize 2022 will give a presentation about her journey of developing the innovation Solvatten and how it is now being used by 630.000 people in Subsaharan Africa.
After the lecture, the afternoon continues with a panel conversation with Petra Wadström, Nina Wormbs, Professor in history of technology at KTH, Anders Nordström, former Ambassador for Global Health and advisor to WHO will have a conversation about the importance of innovations that have the power to build resilience for both people and the planet. The panel will be moderated by the science journalist and writer Eva Krutmeijer.
The climate crisis hits the most vulnerable populations in multiple ways. How can we better prepare and why is a just transition so important when it comes to global climate action? These are some of the questions that will be adressed to the panelists.
Sofia Ritzén, Dean of KTH, introduces and welcomes everyone.
Panel
Petra Wadström, Founder of Solvatten
Nina Wormbs, Professor in history of technology at KTH
Anders Nordström, former Ambassador for Global Health and advisor to WHO
Eva Krutmeijer, Science journalist and writer
When: Tuesday 28 November 2023.
“Clean water is crucial to people’s health, opportunities and quality of life. It is also a key issue for future generations and the possibilities for sustainable development. Petra Wadström is a unique, single-minded problem-solver who with her innovation, Solvatten, has changed the lives of many people – and particularly women – around the world. Petra Wadström has created a simple yet clever, ingenious and sustainable construction, enabling water to be purified by the sun alone. This invention will allow more people access to vitally important clean water every day.
Petra Wadström is a highly deserving recipient of the KTH Great Prize.
Petra Wadström exhibits her innovation Solvatten in KTHB during the period 28/11-7/12. The exhibition opens on Tuesday 28 November at 15.30.
How the Solvatten technology works
The two-part black container is filled with water.
The Solvatten purifier uses solar heating and UV radiation to purify the water effectively: the sun’s ultraviolet UVB rays are released through UV-transparent surfaces, and the water is heated against the black inside of the container. The resulting synergies render pathogenic microorganisms harmless.
The Solvatten container also has a filter that removes water organisms, making the water less turbid.
Once the process is finished and the water is clean, according to WHO guidelines for clean water, an indicator shows a green smiley face.
It takes two to five hours to clean 10 litres of water of harmful microorganisms, which can otherwise cause dysentery, typhoid fever and cholera.
