# Goal
#### Developing Free Open Source Hardware Designs for solar-thermal desalination that can be manufactured and innovated locally in Makerspaces across the world

# Mindset
- [x] LibreWater is an **inclusive space** for personal development & collaborative innovation
- [x] We co-create on **open designs** that improve iteratevly.
- [x] **Personal skills** and strengths are our driving force.
- [x] On this way, **challenges are opportunities** to connect with skilled and creative minds from various fields.

# What you need to know
## VMED Technology
We will use digital fabrication to make Vertical Multiple-Effect Distillation (VMED) work.
What sounds high-tech is actually just **RAIN IN A BOX**.


Find years of **RESEARCH** on using solar power to purify water [here](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011916422000273).

## Product Modules

According to functionality the product is divided into **FOUR modules.**
Each brings its own challenges.
> The following visuals are mockups that serve as an explanation of the components.


### Heating
The goal is to power the device with solar-thermal energy provided by the sun - for free. For other use cases like laboratory testing also electrical heating is an option. Higher temperatures increase productivity, we are aiming at about 80°C to 90°C temperature in the first stage.


### Plates
Thin sheets, we call plates, absorb the heat entering the system.
A thin textile is strapped onto each of the metal plates. These wicks soak up with salty or dirty water and spread it evenly over the surface of the plates.
This makes the process of evaporation more reliable.


### Fluidsystem
The Fluid System is split into three sub-modules. Two kind of water tanks: One on top that feeds dirty or salty water into the system. And one tank at the bottom which collects the fresh water and divides it from overflow feed water.
Last but not least a pumping mechanism might be necessary.


### Casing
Speaking for itself - the casing should protect the inner components and allow an enjoyable user experience. We seek for biobased and natural materials that withstand environmental conditions.


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## Design Principles
- **Design for Circularity.**
Find meaningful stages in a products lifecycle with the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Refurbish, Repair and Recycle
- **Planetary Design.**
Start from planetary boundaries to environmental local conditions.
- **Regenerative Design**
Let's make use of collective intelligence, document and share R&D to tackle global challenges.
- **Open Source Development**
Open Source Hardware is an invitation to society to participate in ecological responsible innovation and economic wealth.
- **Think in systems.**
Zoom out to see the whole. Zoom in to make a difference. Find solutions that give back to systems.

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# Dive Deeper
### Get your eyes hands on the Prototype.
### Check out the evolution of [ACRAEA PROTOTYPES.](https://hackmd.io/@ShellyTurtle/Hk9GqcrX2)

Find diffrent iterations, see the features and materials used and find current development challenges, we need help with.

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