Vancouver Students Innovate Flood-Prevention Device
Vancouver high school students Sameer Assanie and Bobby Yang have developed an innovative flood-prevention device called Airlume. Their invention recently earned them $5,000 at the Youth Innovation Showcase. Airlume is designed to detect clogged catch basins, which are crucial for effective urban drainage.
Understanding the Flood Prevention Device
Clogged catch basins, also known as storm drains, can lead to flooding when rainwater cannot drain properly. In Vancouver, volunteers monitor about 40,000 catch basins through the city’s “adopt a catch basin” program. However, more than 75% of these basins remain unadopted.
Inspiration Behind Airlume
The duo first recognized the issue in October 2024, during a severe atmospheric river event that flooded many basements in their community. Assanie shared, “It caused lots of damages. That’s when we first noticed this problem.” Their passion for technology led them to create a solution.
Challenges and Developments
Assanie and Yang encountered several challenges while developing Airlume. Initially, they aimed to attach the device outside the drain grate, but concerns about vandalism made this impractical. They pivoted to an internal attachment method that would also prevent water damage.
- Time-consuming trials often took place after school and on weekends.
- Collaborating with city officials provided necessary insights.
- They had to ensure the device was cost-effective and low-maintenance for government use.
How Airlume Functions
Airlume utilizes multiple sensors to monitor the condition of catch basins. The students envision deploying thousands of these devices throughout Vancouver. This network would enable real-time notifications for municipalities, displayed as a map of red and green dots. Red dots would indicate clogged basins requiring immediate attention.
Next Steps for Implementation
Looking ahead, Assanie and Yang plan to collaborate with the City of Delta to pilot their device. The pilot project will allow them to collect valuable data for further improvements and refinements. “We aim to see what needs to be improved based on real-world application,” Assanie stated.
Airlume represents a significant step forward in urban flood prevention technology, showcasing how young innovators can address pressing environmental challenges. Their efforts not only highlight the importance of community engagement but also the role of technology in creating sustainable solutions.
