AL-01: Rock-it Bottle

Brief description of the organization

Rock-It Bottle is a modular, biodegradable smart hydration and survival system. The device integrates advanced water purification, renewable power generation, and environmental/health monitoring for applications in disaster relief, Indigenous community water security, humanitarian aid, defence logistics, and off-grid resilience.


Problem area

Access to clean water, renewable power, and real-time health monitoring remains a global challenge, particularly in disaster-prone, off-grid, and low-resource environments. Current solutions rely on multiple standalone devices, which increases cost and reduces portability. There is an unmet need for a compact, integrated system that can purify water, generate renewable energy, and provide emergency alerts in the field.


Main objectives

  • Design and prototype a modular, biodegradable smart hydration and survival bottle.
  • Integrate multi-stage water filtration and UV sterilization into a portable device.
  • Incorporate renewable power modules (solar, kinetic, turbine).
  • Develop basic smart sensor capability for water quality and hydration monitoring.
  • Deliver a proof-of-concept prototype that demonstrates feasibility for field testing and future government/NGO applications.

Scope of work

  • Conduct a literature review on portable water purification, renewable energy generation, and survival technologies.
  • Research existing off-grid hydration and sanitation systems to identify gaps.
  • Develop CAD designs and 3D-printed housings for modular components.
  • Assemble and integrate water filtration, UV sterilization, and at least one renewable charging module.
  • Prototype sensor integration (basic contamination or hydration tracking).
  • Document testing results and prepare recommendations for next-stage development and government field trials.

Deliverables

  • Functional CAD designs and modular architecture diagrams for the Eco~Librium Rock-It Bottle.
  • 3D-printed housing and physical prototype demonstrating integrated water filtration, UV sterilization, and renewable charging.
  • A final technical report documenting research, design decisions, and testing results.
  • Presentation (oral + poster/slide deck) summarizing the prototype, its applications, and recommendations for next steps (e.g., government testing).

Team meeting frequency

Weekly


Skills and training required

  • Research & analytical skills (literature/environmental scan).
  • CAD design & 3D printing skills.
  • Electronics integration (UV, sensors, charging modules).
  • Machining / prototyping (CNC, laser cutting).
  • Presentation and technical writing skills.

Resources required

  • 3D printing and rapid prototyping labs.
  • CNC machining, laser cutting, and waterjet facilities.
  • Electronics and circuitry workbench for UV sterilization and power modules.
  • Access to computing/software for CAD modeling and simulation.
  • Patent-pending design files and modular diagrams.
  • Background research and prior documentation.
  • Concept specifications (desired functions, modular layout).
  • Ongoing mentorship/support during design and testing.
  • Access to clean/contaminated water testing facilities (if available at UW).
  • Possible collaboration with sustainability labs for biodegradable materials.

NDA or a commercialization agreement for this project?

Yes