Meeting/Event Information

Innovative Solutions Webinar

Innovations for Sustainable Water Management

Transforming Water Management: Innovations in Autonomous Robotics & Advanced Filtration

Thursday, April 17, 2025

1:00 to 2:00 pm

Join us for an insightful webinar exploring how cutting-edge technologies like Autonomous Underwater Robotics (AURs) and high-efficient reverse osmosis systems are revolutionizing the water industry. In this session, industry experts will discuss the transformative potential of these innovations in enhancing water management, infrastructure optimization, and operational efficiency.

The first presentation will introduce cutting-edge Autonomous Underwater Robotics (AURs) technology, designed to inspect, map, and assess the condition of municipal water pipelines with unprecedented precision.

Attendees will gain insight into how these solutions help municipalities combat water loss and waste, address aging infrastructure, and mitigate risks associated with infrequent maintenance. By leveraging real-time data collection and advanced analytics, the comprehensive solutions provide cities with a comprehensive Risk Assessment Profile of their entire water distribution system, enabling proactive decision-making and cost-effective infrastructure management.

The second presentation will introduce innovative desalination technologies designed to provide sustainable and efficient freshwater solutions. Attendees will explore the processes behind advanced desalination solutions, including high-efficiency reverse osmosis systems, brine management technologies, and energy recovery innovations. The presentation will highlight how these products enable municipalities, industries, and communities to access reliable, cost-effective freshwater while addressing key challenges such as high operational costs, waste disposal, and resource sustainability.

1 CEU-Pending DPH Approval

Presenters

Elliot Smith, PE, CEO and Co-Founder at Motmot, Inc.

Elliot Smith, P.E. is a visionary leader in the civil engineering and water infrastructure sectors, with a strong background in consulting, entrepreneurship, and strategic planning. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Motmot, a company dedicated to innovative solutions in the industry, where he has been driving growth and technological advancements since 2023. With over six years of experience at OHM Advisors, Elliot served as a Consultant and Client Representative, delivering strategic solutions for infrastructure projects and client needs. His expertise in civil engineering was further honed as a Geotechnical Engineering Technician at Intertek. Elliot is deeply involved in the water industry as a Planning & Strategy Committee Member for the Michigan Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), contributing to the future of Michigan’s water infrastructure.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University, where he was Vice President of the ASCE student chapter. Currently, he is pursuing an MBA at Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business, serving as Vice President of the MBA Association and President of the MBA Entrepreneurship Association. Recognized as a Poets & Quants “MBA to Watch” in 2024, Elliot blends technical expertise with business acumen to drive impactful solutions in the industry.

Quantum Wei, Founder, Harmony Desalting

Quantum Wei, Ph.D. is a leading innovator in sustainable water desalination and resource efficiency, with a deep background in mechanical engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics. As the Founder of Harmony Desalting, he is pioneering cost-effective and environmentally sustainable desalination technologies. Under his leadership, Harmony Desalting has earned prestigious recognition, including the Impact Medal in the Global Prize in Desalination, the Bureau of Reclamation’s More Water Less Concentrate challenge (2022), and top placements in competitions such as the MIT Water Innovation Prize and MIT Clean Energy Prize. Quantum's expertise in desalination and water treatment stems from years of research at the Lienhard Research Group at MIT, where he completed his Ph.D. and Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. His research focused on optimizing reverse osmosis systems for energy efficiency, with a specialization in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat & mass transfer.