Aquosus Potentia is a student-led, global R&D program ("Academic Quest Unifying Organization"). Headed by Intel Science Talent Search Finalist (abstracts available) and four-time Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist Nicholas M. Christensen (resume), this project seeks to compile contributions from students all over the world.
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1st goal—develop a database of college research papers exploring the problems and possibilities dealing with renewable resources.
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2nd goal—alleviate the problems through technology, such as testing Christensen’s solar-powered water distillation device, designed for use in developing nations or in emergency scenarios.
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Final goal—Aquosus hopes to leverage the canal system to address multiple areas of international concern: water, energy, food production, and jobs.
Aquosus Potentia is recruiting college student talent to work collaboratively, designing and developing a comprehensive solution.
To participate as a student member or a mentor, see the membership page. All levels of membership are encouraged in this exciting new venture.
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Member Bios
Nicholas M. Christensen
Nicholas Christensen is currently studying at the University of Alabama in Huntsville where he is double majoring in physics and computer science. Besides being Executive Director of Aquosus Potentia, he has done research and development of a self-contained solar-powered water distillation device. Christensen also has much interest in the field of quantum computing and someday hopes to conduct high-level research in that area.
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Alexa
Blakely was born in Defiance, Ohio, but raised in Alabama. She is the only
child, and has a daughter (Madison) whom she loves and says is her inspiration.
She is a sophomore at South University in Montgomery, AL. Alexa’s major is
nursing. She loves science and hopes to one day make a difference with it. She
is currently working at Montgomery AIDS Outreach and hopes to pursue a career
involving AIDS research. Contact her at ablakely@aquopotent.net
Her paper, titled "The Circle of Life: Bioponics," considers the
possibility of raising both plants and fish in a symbiotic relationship in an
aquatic environment.
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My name is Temeka Narie Shuford. I was born in Montgomery, AL, but I spent eight years of my life in Lexington, KY. I have both “blue-grass” and “southern pride”. I am very honored to be able to take place in such a monumental movement. Before I researched my paper, I had no idea that so many people do not have access to sanitary water. It saddens my heart that this exists in this day and age. I am so happy that the whole world can come together as a unit and try to solve issues that affect so many people on a daily basis. I know that too many people suffer from things (24/7 access to sanitary water supplies in our homes) that some of us take for granted. Let’s make a difference together so that our children’s, children can be proud of us.
Contact her at tshuford@aquopotent.netHer paper, titled "Water Crisis: Sanitation is a Global Issue," discusses the importance of water, water-related diseases, and ways to make water safe for drinking.
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I'm Sharanda Norman. At 21, I’m pursuing my dreams of becoming an attorney. I currently am a senior majoring in legal studies. I’m a published author of poetry as well as essays. I enjoy reading, writing, and shopping, but most of my time is spent in school and preparing for the LSAT. I’m glad to be associated with Aquosus Potentia because I’m particularly interested in researching water and contamination issues across the globe and seeing how these problems can be resolved from a legal perspective.
Contact her at snorman@aquopotent.netHer paper, titled "Water Pollution and Contamination," explores the dangerous side-effects and causes of water contamination as well as the laws that deal with contaminated water.
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Brandon Jones is studying to be a physical therapy assistant. His interest in healthcare led him to investigate the recent cholera epidemic in Haiti, which was caused by contaminated water and unsanitary conditions.
Contact him at bjones@aquopotent.net
His paper is titled “Cholera in Haiti.”
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Amanda Field, currently working on a degree in Health Sciences, has plans to go into nursing in the future. Especially concerned about worldwide problems in sanitation, she researched the process of solar disinfection of water. Contact her at afield@aquopotent.netHer paper is titled “The Sunny Side of it All: The Investigation of SODIS Water Purification.”
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Mitzi Gayle Swift—born in Tallahassee, Florida, I am one of six children. I have been married for fifteen years to William Swift, Jr., and have four children: William, Cristian, Jaison, and Dominique. I am earning my bachelor’s degree in nursing. My interests are college basketball, in particular Duke University’s Blue Devils, crossword puzzles, and whatever my life has planned for me. I live by one mantra, and that is "I know it seems hard sometimes but remember one thing. Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep ya head up.... and handle it.” — Tupac Shakur. Contact her at mswift@aquopotent.netHer paper, titled “What’s Buggin’ You, Giardiasis?,” explores a serious contamination in our drinking water, one that we all need to be aware of.
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I was born and raised in Cameroon (Africa), but I have been living in the United States for nine years. I own my own business, but while working full-time, I have also almost completed my bachelor’s degree in information technology. I wrote a paper title “Drought in Kenya” because Kenya is one of many African countries currently affected by drought. Because of the physical location of Kenya, fighting drought must be a continuing process.
Contact her at lgoston@aquopotent.netHer paper is titled "Drought in Kenya."
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I was born and raised is Demopolis, AL. After graduating from high school, I spent about ten years in the US Air Force as a dental technician. I have three children, who are my pride and joy. I am majoring in health science while working at a dental practice as a dental hygienist. I love dentistry and plan to apply to dental school in hopes of becoming a successful dentist. I feel that our country should become less dependent on foreign oil and wrote a paper suggesting more use of “Biofuels.”
Contact her at tchilds@aquopotent.net
Her paper is titled “Need for Biofuel.”
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LaToya J. Davis lives in Alabama and, having just completed her degree in paralegal studies, is very interested in the legal issues erupting over water rights.
Contact her at ldavis@aquopotent.net
Her paper, titled “Alabama and Georgia Water Wars,” looks the legal case between those two states.
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Mauria Crayton is about to complete her degree in medical assisting. Her special interest is in diseases and the importance of clean drinking water for the world.
Contact her at mcrayton@aquopotent.net
Her paper is titled “Waterborne Diseases in Africa.”
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Geoff Welch was born in Ft. Worth, TX. He is a full-time student at Emory University, where he is double majoring in biology and music performance. He hopes to continue on to medical school, where he plans to study to become a surgeon.
Contact him at gwelch@aquopotent.netHis paper is titled "Arsenic Poisoning and Risk Substitution: Contamination in Public Water Sources of Bangladesh."
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Dawn Sellers, born and raised in Alabama, is a full-time functional analyst at GovDeals.com, which provides services to various government agencies that allow them to sell surplus and confiscated items via the internet. Prior to joining GovDeals, Ms. Sellers worked as a marketing and communications director for a local non-profit agency for five years. In addition, she is in her junior year in college, majoring in information technology.
Contact her at dsellers@aquopotent.net
Her paper is titled "Cloud Computing."
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Robyn Bentley was born and raised in Martinsville, Indiana. A happily married mother of one, she’s at the tail end of achieving her associate’s degree in Medical Assisting. In the next five years she is hoping to obtain her goal of working in ultrasound technology. She is a published poet and enjoys reading. In the process of researching this paper, she has come to realize that we need to find ways diminish the waste we already have accumulating and turn it into a positive energy. Hopefully, we can find a way new ways to “reduce, reuse, and recycle.”
Contact her at rbentley@aquopotent.net
Her paper is titled "Biomass."
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I hold an associate’s degree in graphic communication and am earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. One of my favorite hobbies is graphic design, which consists of: web design, photography and editing photos. Designing web pages is a very profitable hobby to have. Bringing back to life old photos or manipulating photos always puts a smile on people’s faces. I also like taking photos because if you can make a person smile for a quick second, it’s always a good thing. My interest in creativity extends to creative ways to use resources, such as the concept of a solar/electric car.
Contact him at mlee@aquopotent.net
His paper is titled "Solar Electric Car."
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Joel Tinker is a senior at Covenant Christian Academy. Joel was an INTERNATIONAL Science and Engineering Fair FINALIST for three years for his projects on heat radiators and building an electrical vehicle. He also won an international honorable mention for his work. He plans to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville where he will pursue a degree in electrical engineering with a minor in music technology, which he hopes will lead to a job in a recording studio.
Contact him at jtinker@aquopotent.net
His paper is titled "Electric Vehicles: History and Efficiency."
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I was raised in Union Springs, Alabama, where I’m currently employed at Penn and Seaborn law firm. However, I served in the U.S. Army for 23 years, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant, with a couple of memorable years working as a Drill Sergeant. In 2008, I graduated from Athens State University with a B.S. in liberal arts. As of 2011, I started pursuing another degree in paralegal studies. I have one son, Stephan, who is 14. My hobbies include reading, traveling and shopping; I especially love to cook and experiment with spices.
Contact her at panthony@aquopotent.net
Her paper is titled "Ethanol: Beneficial or Worthless?"
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I attend South University in Montgomery, Alabama, both evening classes as well as online. I am pursuing my BBA and upon completion, plan to obtain my MBA. I am employed at Holloway Credit Solutions LLC. Founded in 1900, we specialize in collections and billing for large infirmaries, hospitals, surgical centers, and other medical affiliated businesses nationwide. I work in operations and hope to continue advancing in the company.
Contact him at pathart@aquopotent.net
His paper is titled "Keystone XL Pipeline: A Stopgap."
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Nathan Tinker is a junior at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, majoring in mechanical engineering. In high school, he was an INTERNATIONAL Science and Engineering Fair FINALIST all four years for projects that involved Fresnel Lenses and Sterling Engines. He was also fourth place in Alabama for the Gorgas High School Senior Science award. He plans to attend Auburn University master’s program and eventually obtain a job designing equipment for the U.S. Army or NASA.
Contact him at ntinker@aquopotent.net
His paper is titled "A Solar Stirling Renewable Energy Power System for Earth and Space Applications."
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Hello, my name is Darrell Goodson; I retired after
serving 22 years in the United States Army with a few memorable wartime
deployments to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bosnia, which sparked my interest in
the important of clean drinking water. I
am currently pursuing my BBA with the future goal of obtain my MBA in
Management and Leadership.
Contact him at dgoodson@aquopotent.net
His two papers on water are “Bottled Water vs. Tap
Water” and “Waterbourne Diseases.”
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I, Eddie Crapps, am currently battling cancer as well
as attending college. I am studying to
obtain an associate degree in paralegal studies. I hope to work in the
legal setting and continue my education to become an attorney.
I have enjoyed writing this essay for Aquosus Potentia because of my
concern about water contamination in the world and chemical pollutants that can
cause diseases. I hope to be an inspiring individual with the
potential for great things. I am
glad that I was chosen to be published and hope to be involved with the
upcoming change in the way we use and preserve our natural resources.
Contact him at ecrapps@aquopotent.net
His paper is titled “Water Pollution: Desalination Processes
to Clean the Water Supply.”
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My name
is Jessica Griffin. I have almost
completed my associate’s degree in Information Technology. I am the mother of two beautiful boys, Alex
and Logan, and have been married for fifteen years to my husband Paul. Going back to school has forced me to come
out of my shell and stop hiding from the unknown. I can’t wait to see what the next part of my
life has to offer, and I am ready for the adventure.
Contact her at jgriffin@aquopotent.net
Her paper is titled “Harnessing the Power of the Tide.”
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Jasmine is a 23-year-old sophomore majoring in legal studies.
She has a two-year-old daughter who inspires her to “reach for the gold.” She
was born in San Diego, California; however, since her father was in the
military, she has also had the opportunity to live in Virginia, North Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama and Florida. She is bilingual, writing, reading, and speaking
fluently in both English and Spanish. After
the completion of her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend law school with
hopes of later becoming an immigration attorney.
Contact her at jwalton@aquopotent.net
Her paper is called “Solar Energy:
Empowering Honduras.”
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