Saphal

Saphal is a MAD Project whose goal was to recycle green waste that is produced in the school canteen. Instead of conventional composting techniques, Saphal turned to a new way of recycling this green waste - fermenting it to produce an antibacterial cleaning fluid that would be used to clean bathrooms and floors in school. In this way, the Saphal team hoped to make DAIS more self-sufficient, and replace the currently used chemical cleaner with an organic, home-grown solution.

The team's primary concern was optimization of the fermentation process in such a way that a higher concentration of cleaner is produced from the wet waste in a shorter period of time. Although the antibacterial properties of the final product of the fermentation, acetic acid, have been well documented, the Saphal team tested the recycled cleaner against the conventional chemical cleaner in order to compare their antibacterial properties. The team's first batch was not sufficiently concentrated and hence was not 100% effective against bacteria, despite some tests revealing that it actually has the potential to be more efficient than the conventional alternative. The team's second test, however, yielded better results, and a sufficiently high concentration of organic acetic acid.

Although the team was successful in creating its product, it was not able to set up the system in the canteen due to the long fermentation periods of both batches; as soon as testing was completed, the Project drew to a close. Thus, the Saphal team, through its work, has provided DAIS with yet another alternative to make the school more environmentally conscious and eco-friendly.

- Aryan Singh