A Brand New Invention Set To Make Safe Water Accessible At Ground Level!.. Can You Help This Inventor?
Bath University graduate David Hutton's brand new Flexi Pump was inspired by a science teachers comment... Plus a dash of God given inspiration!
Find out how this Mechanical Engineer plans to unleash his new invention onto the developing world, in order to provide more people with safe, clean water to drink very much on the ground. And how his invention ideas are going to keep on coming...
(PICTURES: DAVID HUTTON, THE FLEXI PUMP)
Please tell me a bit about yourself David?
My Family is from Norfolk. I have always been a bit of an inventor and have always enjoyed making things.I spent my Gap year with YWAM in Africa, that is when I fell in love with the continent, I have always seen myself going back there long term. Whilst at uni, I have become more and more interested in development, especially on a micro scale. I graduated this summer with a 2.1 Masters of Mechanical Engineering, from Bath Uni
What inspired your invention of your new water pump?
A comment that my Physics teacher made when I was 13 started my water pump journey, she said something about air circulation in 'long drop' loo's, and I thought it might be possible to pump water in a similar way. I approached the uni to see if I could try to design a pump like this, they said ok, however, it turns out that it is impossible to pump water in that way.
In layman's terms how does it work?
The user on ground level compresses air with a simple air pump. That air is used to displace water within the Flexi Pump chamber, the only way that the water can go is up to the surface through the hosepipe.
Who is it aimed at helping?
Mainly for people in rural areas, to collect water from shallow wells, rivers or any 
other water source.It can be used for domestic use, but also for small scale farmers to irrigate their fields. Farmers can see a massive increase in crop yields and therefore profits, by irrigating probably.
Why is it such a technical advance?
Technically it's not! Everything about the pump is so simple, it is taking age old ideas and putting them together in a different way.
What are your hopes and dreams for the development of this product?
I hope the the field testing will be successful and that it can be mass produced and sold throughout the developing world. I've never intended to make money from the pump, however I would like to be able to make a salary, as I have other pump ideas in the pipeline that I would like to develop.
Where do you hope it will be used in the world?
Starting with Sub-Saharan Africa, but then anywhere in the world where there is a need. 1.1 billion people still lack access to safe water!
Do you feel God has guided you in this invention project?
Yes, some of my best ideas have come to me whilst I have been praying, normally about something else. Also, at many stages of the project, it has been obvious that God has put the right person, at the right time, across my path.When I started to design the pump last October, I already felt that I would carry on the work after university.
Are you appealing for anything at the moment in the development of the pump? Do you need publicity? Opportunities? Volunteers?
Any Publicity would be fantastic, I am trying to raise £11,000 (out of £15,000) to fund the field testing, so the more people hear about it, the better.
Can you help David? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and offer your help!
Do you have an invention? Or a project? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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