The flush toilet, invented in the late 16th century but widely adopted in the 1850s, has played a crucial role in preventing diseases like cholera and typhoid. Now, scientists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China have developed a 3D-printed ultra-slippery toilet bowl that could replace traditional porcelain and ceramic designs.
This innovation aims to prevent waste from sticking, improving hygiene and water usage efficiency. The scaled-up adoption of this technology could revolutionize toilet design.
Revolutionary 3D-Printed Toilet Bowl Aims to Revolutionize Waste Management, Conserve Water with Its Ultra-Slippery Surface
Abrasion-Resistant Super-Slippery Flush Toilet
Scientists addressed the issue of waste sticking to toilet bowls, which is not only unpleasant but also wasteful due to increased water usage for multiple flushes. They developed a non-stick toilet bowl using a blend of plastic and hydrophobic sand grains.
The team reported in their study, titled "Abrasion-Resistant and Enhanced Super-Slippery Flush Toilets Fabricated by a Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing Technology" published in the journal Advanced Engineering Materials, that the material was created through laser-based 3D printing technology, resulting in a design about one-tenth the size of a standard toilet bowl.
This innovation aims to improve cleanliness and water efficiency in bathrooms. The abrasion-resistant super-slippery flush toilet (ARSSFT) is capable of repelling various substances, including synthetic feces, milk, yogurt, honey, and starch gel mixed congee.
The researchers bathed the material in silicon oil, which penetrated deeply into the material, creating a robust shield against stubborn substances. They tested a small-scale toilet prototype, subjecting it to the force of eight liters of water during a flush test, and the ARSSFT maintained its remarkable slipperiness.
Inspired by slippery pitcher plants, this ARSFT design ensures that nothing sticks to its surface. Even after 1,000 cycles of abrasion with sandpaper, the ARSFT retains its super-slippery capability.
The 3D printing process introduces porosity to the surface and incorporates a silicon oil lubricant, enhancing its non-stick properties. Replenishing the lubricant can maintain the bowl's slipperiness, potentially reducing water consumption for flushing and cleaning in countless toilets.
The researchers currently have no intentions of entering the toilet manufacturing industry. Moreover, the 3D printing method they've employed is so different from conventional toilet production that it may not be attractive to existing toilet manufacturers.
However, there is potential for this endeavor. The team aspires to see it reach mass production in the future, with the aim of reducing water consumption.
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Importance of Having Access to Clean, Safe Water to Flush the Toilet
Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right, and while there has been progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on water and sanitation, the current trends raise concerns.
Urgent solutions are needed to accelerate progress and ensure universal access. Flushing toilets, a relatively recent invention, consume over 141 billion liters of fresh water daily, nearly six times Africa's daily water consumption.
Improving policies, governance, funding, infrastructure, and data availability are vital for addressing water and sanitation challenges. Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) can play a crucial role in this endeavor. Climate change exacerbates global water scarcity issues, making innovations like the 3D-printed ultra-slippery toilet bowl promising solutions that require further development and scaling.
Researchers believe that the concept of an abrasion-resistant ultra-slippery object can advance the development of such materials and contribute to water conservation in society.
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