Technologies for the Developing World Improve

Foundobjects cobbled together with bailing wire are being replaced in the developing world by ever smartertechnologies. What's driving the change? Engineers and inventors have actuallybegun talking to those who deal directly with the bottom half of the world'spopulation and are gaining new insights into problems that can lead tobeneficial solutions.

The challenges of life on the margins still involve access toclean water, a reliable food supply and basic health care; energy to help withagriculture, transportation and education; and shelter for safety, communitybuilding and a home to provide some dignity.

We recently completed the first-ever Engineering and Humanityweek. A number of thought-provoking, ready-to-go technologies were showcased byvarious organizations. Some were so interesting and relevant that I just haveto share them with you:

Bobble: a water bottle made of recycled plastic witha carbon filter. The filter provides clean water that meets or exceeds thestandard that governs public and private drinking water for chlorine, taste andodor reduction. A Bobble can deliver about 40 gallons of good water beforeneeding a new filter.

ReadySet: Want to start a business providing recharging services for cell phones orradios? Then you need the ReadySet. The system allows you to draw power from abicycle generator, a solar panel or from the grid, and can charge just aboutanything with any adaptor.

Adspecs: These new glasses are designed for youthages 12 to 18 and can be self-adjusted. Adspecs use next-generationfluid-filled lenses that allow the wearer to tune the prescription to their owneyes - helping millions of young people worldwide see clearly for the firsttime.

Rocket Stove: In-home stoves expose families todangerous levels of airborne carcinogens. Rocket Stoves are easily manufacturedin country and use only a fraction of the energy of other stove options.

Nokero Solar Light Bulb: Bright enough to read by, cook by, study by or toperform household tasks, the Nokero solar light bulb is brighter than asmartphone screen on its brightest setting and lasts about four hours on a fullcharge. Nokero is primarily meant to provide a safe, clean alternative to thefuel lanterns currently used by the 1.6 billion people worldwide who lackreliable access to electricity. It is durable, rainproof and affordable enoughto have practical use to impoverished people around the world who still burndangerous and polluting kerosene lanterns.

GE ZeeWeed 1500: Even the big boys are getting intothe act. If you are looking for a village-sized, self-contained waterpurification system, GE has drawn upon years of experience to develop a UFMembrane water treatment system that is affordable and practical. The ZeeWeedsystems consistently outperform conventional filtration technology whilemeeting or exceeding regulatory requirements, regardless of source waterquality. In fact, our student teams have used this technology in acomprehensive design for a water kiosk in Africa.

This is just a small sampling of what is here today and yetonly a glimmer of what is to come. Let's compilea list of ready-to-go ideas that are proven to perform in the harshreality of the developing world. Send your products/construction plans to meand we will make them widely available for others to explore and use around theworld. A good working idea shouldn't just stay on the shelf.

Geoffrey C. Orsak is Dean of the SMU LyleSchool of Engineering. He can be reached at [email protected].