Based out of Taichung City, Taiwan, the team members set out to help prevent the floods that affect approximately 21 million people worldwide each year. Specifically, they began addressing the flooding in Taichung and the Shalu District. Both districts were severely impacted by overflows of the Nanshi and Beishi Rivers.  The E-Colant.Net mimicked nature’s design elements not only to create a healthier environment for flora and fauna, but with the larger goal of protecting the surrounding community from flooding. The units, when installed into the waterway, offer a sustainable and low-interfering way to achieve this goal. The team relied on flow simulation research to find the most effective shape to capture, filter, slow and direct the current. 

Experts predict the number of people impacted by these natural disasters could grow to 54 million in the next eight years. Finding solutions comes down to a focus on the river habitat and marine animal health. That’s because, in addition to the floods ruining the home and work environment for millions of people, it also affects the soil in and along the river. It also causes erosion on the banks of the waterway, natural water filtration and biodiversity in the region. 

E-Colant.Net addresses all of that with a system that helps urban rivers withstand flooding. Mirroring the shape and arrangement of fish and shark scales, marine sponges, devil’s claw, tilapia gills and heart valves, E-Colant.Net provides an effective flood prevention tool.  The system improves water filtration, redevelop animal and plant habitat and increase diversity in a healthy ecosystem. With minimal site impact, E-Colant.Net decreases river erosion and sediment accumulation. This provides a stable foundation for plants, which is a basis for the entire ecosystem.