Ideas from local students may help improve water treatment processes

Team TeraBytes, a local robotics team, toured the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) at Sanford Lab during an Education Field Trip in October. The students were so intrigued by the work at the plant, they asked if the WWTP staff would be willing to mentor them through their research project for an upcoming First LEGO League (FLL) competition.

The team’s research project focused on finding a sustainable, low-cost solution to remediation of ammonia in wastewater. Ken Noren suggested their research project could focus on improving the ammonia treatment process as an interest of sustainability and creative problem solving. Energy costs could perhaps be reduced by the gravity-fed water flow circulating polymer balls that host bacteria that feed on ammonia. 

It’s great to see the enthusiasm from students who are able to look at an ‘old’ problem from a fresh perspective. They don’t have any preconceived ideas. They look at everything," Noren said.

Team TeraBytes came up with a unique icosahedron—20 face—design to host the bacteria, and studied polymer densities to test in a CAD fluid dynamics model. Brad Carlson, the Sanford Lab CAD expert was able to interact with the team and discussed drafting techniques used in the industry. The team presented their studies of polymers, nitro-bacteria, and fluid dynamics at the FLL competition and HydroDynamics events at both the SDSM&T Regional FLL event in December, and advanced to the S.D. State FLL Championship at Augustana University in January. They showcased robotics design and robot performance, innovative research project, and cooperative thinking and gracious teamwork skills.

Tim Baumgartner, SDSTA Facility Infrastructure Director, says “I am so pleased to be part of an organization that takes a personal interest in connecting with students to provide exposure to some often overlooked professions in our state. It’s a great benefit to the students, as well as the people who work here.”

TeraBytes team is prepared and honored to represent the state of South Dakota at the FLL International Open Championship Robotics event in Carlsbad, Calf. May 18-20, 2018.