PFAS Remediation Explorer With Dynamic Criteria Visualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Water infrastructure stakeholders face challenges in effectively remediating PFAS contamination due to varying remediation strategies required for different types of PFAS chemicals, limited visualization tools that lack customization and interpretability, and the complexity of technological, regulatory, health, economic, and environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A PFAS remediation explorer tool that allows users to compare multiple remediation options dynamically based on user-defined criteria, providing customizable visualizations and interactive charts to facilitate informed decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visualizations in the form of comparison tables or stoplight charts are used to analyze different remediation products, then information can be displayed, but the information becomes de-contextualized and static
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic visualizations that allow users to interact with and customize the display of remediation option information. The system enables users to adjust parameters, filter criteria, and reconfigure visualizations to maintain contextual relevance while improving ease of operation through user-controlled customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a universal visualization framework that can display multiple types of information (comparison tables, stoplight charts, and other visual formats) within a single integrated interface. This multi-functional approach allows the same tool to serve different visualization needs while maintaining information context and usability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If general recommender systems are used to provide customized recommendations, then users can provide inputs to customize recommendations, but the systems lack interpretability and poorly explain the decision maker's results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that explain the reasoning behind recommendation results. The system provides interpretability by showing users how their inputs influence the recommendations and why certain remediation options are ranked higher, thereby maintaining both customization capability and decision transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between raw data and final recommendations, providing transparent intermediate steps and reasoning logic. This mediator approach allows users to see the connection between their inputs and the resulting recommendations, improving interpretability while maintaining customization.
3Quantity of substance
If comparison tables are used to display remediation options, then multiple options can be compared, but the tables become lengthy and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comparison information into multiple visual components and interactive elements. Instead of a single lengthy table, the system divides information into manageable visual blocks that can be selectively displayed, filtered, or expanded, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining the ability to compare multiple options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional tabular data to multi-dimensional visual representations. By adding visual dimensions such as color coding, graphical scales, and interactive filtering, the system can display multiple options more efficiently without increasing the apparent complexity of the interface.
4Stability of the object's composition
If static visualizations are used to display remediation information, then information can be displayed consistently, but the visualizations cannot be customized to user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic visualization system that maintains consistency through structured data frameworks while allowing customization through user-controlled parameters. The system provides stable base templates that can be dynamically adjusted based on user inputs, facility characteristics, and preference settings, achieving both consistency and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method comprising aggregating PFAS remediation evaluation data for a plurality of remediation options and for a plurality of predefined criteria; graphically displaying the user modifiable chart comprising the plurality of graphical representations of the aggregated PFAS remediation evaluation data, wherein: each graphical representation depicts data points visually plotted with weights, the plurality of graphical representations for the plurality of predefined criteria are visually ordered according to a rank of the plurality of predefined criteria, and the weights are based on the rank of the plurality of predefined criteria; detecting a first user input modifying the rank of at least one predefined criterion; in accordance with the first user input, automatically updating the weights of the data points; and displaying an updated user modifiable chart comprising the plurality of graphical representations of the aggregated PFAS remediation evaluation data.