Q: We have seen the sand filter project you did before, how did you focus on drinking water safety at that time?
A: Back in my first year of high school, I became aware of the issue of drinking water safety in some areas of our country. At that time, there was no pandemic, so I personally visited some villages in the southern part of China to conduct field investigations. I found that even until today, the local communities are still facing serious drinking water safety issues.
There are many issues, but I focused on water pollution, particularly heavy metal pollution and organic pollutants. Many traditional filters currently in use can only remove impurities and particles, but they cannot effectively filter out organic pollutants and heavy metal ions. So, at that time, I wanted to develop an efficient filter through engineering to remove heavy metals and organic pollutants from water.
Specifically, it is a novel sand filter that relies on iron-loaded titanium dioxide powder and electrocoagulation. At the same time, I also hoped that the price of this product could be lower, to help as many families in underdeveloped areas as possible.
Q: How long did the discovery process last? Have you continued working on it?
A: I worked on this project for a long time. The initial idea came during the winter of 2019, and the process of development and improvement continued until the spring of 2022. The process involved making, modifying, and iterating, with multiple revisions for each version. There were two main objectives: one was to reduce costs, and the other was to optimize the filtering efficiency.
I'm very happy to see that in the test results, the removal rate of organic pollutants like "glyphosate" reached 96%, and for heavy metals like "arsenic," the removal rate reached 99.5%. Additionally, the cost was eventually reduced to around two to three hundred units. (Though it still feels a bit high, haha).
Q: Was there ultimately any actual implementation in the local area?
A: I conducted on-site evaluations in Guangxi, and the results were consistent with the laboratory findings. At the same time, I also paid attention to issues like water safety, which are not just environmental problems but also involve economic and social aspects. The reality is that there are many water treatment devices available on the market, but most of them do not get effectively implemented and utilized. Therefore, from the production of the product to its promotion in the market, the entire chain requires consideration of various factors. Merely relying on engineering thinking is far from sufficient.
Q: Can I understand it as that you will not only focus on your own research and development, but also devote yourself to humanities and social sciences?
A: Yes, that's right. I paid more attention to engineering in high school. Drinking water safety is a very real and urgent issue, and the product plan seemed clear, but the real implementation was lacking. This is because what is involved is no longer a simple product, but the whole application scenario design of the product. We need to think about not only the feasibility of the project, but also the unit economic model of the product and the local policy and cultural background. At this time, we need to use multi-dimensional ideas to gather various forces and work together to implement them.
About Diamond Challenge and Entrepreneurship
Q: In the consecutive two years of the Diamond Entrepreneurship Challenge, you won the championship in the China region. Could you briefly introduce the competition project?
A: During my junior and senior years in high school, I participated in this competition and won the championship in the China region, becoming a finalist in the global finals. Together with my classmates, we developed an IoT-based smart planting system. In simple terms, we used an IoT device and multiple sensors to monitor various environmental factors of plants, such as humidity and light. Our approach involved adjusting soil moisture through a drip irrigation module, controlling light exposure using LED strips, and using a miniature fan to provide air circulation on the soil surface, creating a relatively closed-loop environmental system for the plants. At the time, the main objective was to address the short-term supply issue of vegetables in urban areas. We aimed to provide innovative solutions for the food supply chain during the lockdown period in Shanghai caused by the pandemic. So, we designed a set of planting systems, including vertical farming, within the city.
Q: What do you think is the difference between business and other competitions? How does it relate to the real world?
A: I believe the business competitions in the United States, in particular, challenge participants to consider multiple dimensions. Many of the judges are investors in the real business world, so they can often provide pertinent suggestions based on their real-world experiences.
For example, in our case, we aimed to solve the pain point of urban planting. We needed to consider how to maximize the planting efficiency while maintaining low costs in a limited space, from both the economic and technical dimensions. This was quite an interesting challenge.
What I have observed is that the level of entrepreneurial competition in the United States is relatively high, and the mechanism is relatively sound. After many projects come out, they will generally try to start (some have even started selling). The stage may be earlier, but the essential difference from the real business world is not significant.
About Philosophy and Life
Q: Nowadays, many young people prefer to occupy the central position when taking photos, but in some cases, you don't seem inclined to fight for the central spot. Why is that? How do you understand the significance of the central position?
A: Personally, I don't believe the concept of the "central position" holds much inherent meaning. "Actions speak louder than words." Sometimes, one doesn't need to constantly position oneself at the center or overly self-promote in order to gain attention and recognition from others. The discerning public can perceive the true substance of one's contributions more through one's actions than one's words.
In team projects, if one does occupy the central position, it requires demonstrating a sense of responsibility and leadership to oversee the collective effort. For example, our team typically has a relatively flat structure. Although I am the founder, we are all team members who diligently fulfill our respective duties. Our abilities and status are reflected through our consistent, conscientious work, rather than the need to deliberately assert ourselves at the last moment.
Q: Have you noticed any messages about you saying, "Recently, you are reducing your burden and really starting to return to yourself"? What life experiences have you previously neglected?
A: Well, I've realized that our time is finite, so we should focus on pursuing truly valuable endeavors. I believe I should try to explore different aspects of my life at different stages. What truly captivates me are things worth striving for. Currently, on one hand, I hope to enhance certain skills, such as engineering and programming. On the other, I aim to expand my business acumen, industry insights, and so on. Additionally, I enjoy connecting with intriguing individuals exploring their respective fields. I find great value in these exchanges, as they provide profound learning experiences. Afterward, I will diligently align my capabilities with societal needs, striving to realize my full potential in service of the greater good.
Q: Do you tend to stick to one thing for an extended period? Do you have any hobbies or pastimes you regularly enjoy?
A: Haha, some activities are like habits that I've maintained since primary school, such as playing football and reading. In my reading, I currently focus on industry information and occasionally delve into technical books and autobiographies. As for football, I've been involved in the sport since primary school, consistently participating on school teams through high school. The regimen of a competitive football team can be quite demanding, requiring explosive strength and speed, as well as keen field awareness and strategic maneuvering. Interestingly, this athletic discipline aligns well with the rhythm of my current lifestyle.
The forms of my participation may have evolved over the years, but the underlying passions have endured. For instance, in junior high, I was drawn to sketching, oil painting, and working with colored pencils and graphite. In high school, I progressed towards more technical applications, integrating drawing and design. This represents a continuation and persistence of my creative interests. Similarly, my football involvement has transformed from competitive play to a means of fitness and relaxation in college.
Many skills can actually be transferred across domains. It's worthwhile to explore more when you have the opportunity, as seemingly disparate pursuits can become interconnected as your life experiences accumulate.
Q: Is it very painful to be in a state of high pressure for an extended period? How do you cope with such emotional states?
A: For me, the best way to manage work-related anxiety is to increase the intensity of my work, haha. I believe that when one feels anxious at work, it can be due to two primary factors. First, a lack of recognition of the importance of the tasks at hand. And second, a perceived lack of progress in one's work. If I invest sufficient effort, I actually don't feel anxious about my work. So, I choose to engage intensely in the things that interest me.
At times, I also aim to diversify my life rhythm. I balance the fast pace of work with the more relaxed rhythms of activities like football and painting. Ideally, this helps me maintain a comfortable state of being both focused and tranquil.
Q: How do you understand ambition and greed? What is the boundary between them? When the operation content is gradually expanded and more and more interest groups are involved, how will you regulate or restrain the team, especially yourself?
A: I believe ambition is a positive trait, particularly in business operations or startup endeavors. The key distinction between ambition and greed lies in whether one's actions truly create value for others. For example, some companies may deviate from their original intentions during the expansion process, leading to social issues - in such cases, the expansion may be driven more by their own greed.
As the scope of operations expands and more stakeholders become involved, it is crucial for the team to establish a sound system to restrain individual weaknesses. Our team typically has a clear mission or strategic direction to guide everyone, as well as corresponding boundaries to ensure no one strays from our original intentions. For instance, an information company can prioritize user privacy protection and refrain from actions that violate it - this serves as a guiding principle to mitigate risks.
Sometimes, rather than relying solely on human nature, it is better to implement a more comprehensive system and flexible mechanisms to prevent the limitations of human nature as much as possible.
Q: If you must be given a chance to meet someone and why? (A hero you think; A relative; A stranger who once helped you ...)
A: If I could meet anyone, I would choose Hayao Miyazaki, the renowned Japanese animator and the creator of "Spirited Away."
I greatly admire Miyazaki for his unwavering dedication to traditional hand-drawn animation, even in an age where computer-generated imagery is prevalent. He is willing to spend years meticulously crafting each frame, preserving the artistic essence of his work. His steadfast craftsmanship and commitment to his craft are truly remarkable.
Beyond his technical mastery, Miyazaki's works often carry deeper societal messages. For instance, his 1997 film "Princess Mononoke" explores the complex relationship between humans and nature, addressing the question of whether they can coexist harmoniously. Even today, this film remains thought-provoking and deserving of repeated viewings.
Moreover, Miyazaki's keen observation of the world and ability to imbue his creations with life and personality are truly inspiring. In "Spirited Away," he personifies mundane objects like dust bunnies, transforming them into endearing little creatures that add a delightful touch of whimsy to the film.
In summary, Hayao Miyazaki's dedication to traditional animation, his profound storytelling, and his remarkable creative vision make him a remarkable and inspiring artist whom I would be honored to meet.
Producer & Editor: Isabella Wang
Interviewer & Text: Lea Chen
Formatting: Beichen He & Isabel Yang
Translator:
留言