Showing posts with label Projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Projects. Show all posts
Self Cleaning Plumbing Drain System
The self cleaning drain system provides the features of conventional P-traps used with sinks and lavatories, but creates flow turbulence to break down and propel debris away. The system provides a permanent way to eliminate drain clogs, eliminating the need for chemical drain cleaners, plungers, expensive pipe repairs and environmental concerns.
BIOMOD: Design and construction of possible biomolecular gravity sensor
Currently different theories describe the presence of gravitational fields which has apparently been crucial during the biological evolution and development of the living beings when they emerged from the sea towards the continental land. Our work describes the design and development of a set of possible biomolecular sensors which could detect changes in the gravitational forces. These molecules are expressed by specific genes in Drosophila melanogaster flies and have homologous in the most animal species including humans. This group of genes was detected by microarrays techniques comparing RNA sequences extracted from the pupae stage under real or simulated microgravity. Additionally, the development of a correlation algorithm such as a function between the MAS 5.0 and Affymetrix RMA allowed demonstrating that these group of genes meet with all the mathematical and physical conditions of a sensor. Future applications of these sensors in biotechnology, astrobiology, and medicine are highly encouraging.
Growing SMEs - Latin America
Growing SMEs is a premium annual get-together for SME practitioners in Latin America. High growth SMEs, funds, banks, angel investors, and members of the public and academic sector will gather in Bogotá on September 22nd and 23rd to do business and exchange ideas about how to further stimulate the growth of Latin American SMEs.
Parallel to this event there will be a "BiD Network Marketplace" where we will present our projects and where private "Matchmaking New Ventures Meetings" are organized for targeted investors and entrepreneurs.
Go to growingsmes.org/en and register for this international event where you will Connect, Exchange and Invest.
Parallel to this event there will be a "BiD Network Marketplace" where we will present our projects and where private "Matchmaking New Ventures Meetings" are organized for targeted investors and entrepreneurs.
Go to growingsmes.org/en and register for this international event where you will Connect, Exchange and Invest.
Safe Water
We are participating in:
- NASA "Create the Future" Design Contest
- Winner!!! BiD Network "Business Benefiting Children"
- Finalist!!! Bing Bang Challenge Astra Zeneca
Press (in Spanish)
- Universia
- El Comercio
- Climas de Cambio PUCP
- NASA "Create the Future" Design Contest
- Winner!!! BiD Network "Business Benefiting Children"
- Finalist!!! Bing Bang Challenge Astra Zeneca
Press (in Spanish)
- Universia
- El Comercio
- Climas de Cambio PUCP
The Uncertain Future of the OLPC in Peru
My article (in Spanish) for OLPCNews
The Uncertain Future of the OLPC in Peru
Peru is characterized by a discontinuity in their public policies on education. For 30 years every government has made reforms in the education system but all have failed and the results can be verified on indicators such as PISA 2009. Peru has a score of 370 compared with 426 in Uruguay. But Peru has been the star of the region in economic growth over the past 10 years however this is not reflected in improved quality of the education system...
The Uncertain Future of the OLPC in Peru
Peru is characterized by a discontinuity in their public policies on education. For 30 years every government has made reforms in the education system but all have failed and the results can be verified on indicators such as PISA 2009. Peru has a score of 370 compared with 426 in Uruguay. But Peru has been the star of the region in economic growth over the past 10 years however this is not reflected in improved quality of the education system...
Yachachiq Voices
In rural areas, 7 of 10 individuals are poor. The majority of the rural poor are active in agriculture, mainly as producers and often with limited access to health, education and markets. The Sierra region consistently has the worst indicators for access to health, water and sanitation services, education, poverty and extreme poverty.
The target groups for the proposed media project are the Yachachiqs. "Yachachiq" is the quechua name for people who pass on knowledge.
We propose to develop Yachachiq´s Voices in the 8 poorest regions of Peru, around 5 million people.
The project will be conducted in two phases: (A) pilot phase in 2 regions (3 months) (B) scale-up phase in 8 regions (6 months). The first phase will be implemented with the Rising Voices funding.
The Yachachiqs, their knowledge and their communities are underrepresented in global world.
The content will be generated by Yachachiqs from rural communities and we wish them to create their own discussion platforms. They can translate it into native languages and add relevant localized content.
Technology alone will fail and our project provides support with a comprehensive approach and including: technical support, change management, training, coaching and cultural sensitivity.
In Peru social problems do not solely rest on the access to services but the problems are also embedded in behavioral and cultural practices. Cultural practices are particularly influential in matters of technology adoption and use.
New initiatives would be developed specifically to meet the needs of the rural communities and professionals, Yachachiqs and community promoters should be trained to deliver those messages appropriately.
The target groups for the proposed media project are the Yachachiqs. "Yachachiq" is the quechua name for people who pass on knowledge.
We propose to develop Yachachiq´s Voices in the 8 poorest regions of Peru, around 5 million people.
The project will be conducted in two phases: (A) pilot phase in 2 regions (3 months) (B) scale-up phase in 8 regions (6 months). The first phase will be implemented with the Rising Voices funding.
The Yachachiqs, their knowledge and their communities are underrepresented in global world.
The content will be generated by Yachachiqs from rural communities and we wish them to create their own discussion platforms. They can translate it into native languages and add relevant localized content.
Technology alone will fail and our project provides support with a comprehensive approach and including: technical support, change management, training, coaching and cultural sensitivity.
In Peru social problems do not solely rest on the access to services but the problems are also embedded in behavioral and cultural practices. Cultural practices are particularly influential in matters of technology adoption and use.
New initiatives would be developed specifically to meet the needs of the rural communities and professionals, Yachachiqs and community promoters should be trained to deliver those messages appropriately.
Point of use household water treatment system
Point of use household water treatment system: The system is a practical and effective solution for providing sustained access to safe water in Peru. The system use biosand filters, chlorination and safe storage which are identified as the most effective according to our research and having the greatest potential to become widely used in Peru. The goal of our system is to empower people without access to clean water to improve water quality by treating it and storing it in the home. The key features of our system are as follows:
- Produce sufficient quantities of clean water to meet daily needs
- Effective for treating different water sources and quality levels
- Low cost, accessible and affordable replacement units and parts
Lack of access to safe water contributes significantly to disease and death resulting from infectious diarrhea and other debilitating illnesses. When poor families cannot afford adequate access to safe water, they buying water from cheaper sources that may have higher levels of contamination, or they may use less water, which could reduce their defenses against diseases. Household water technologies offer valuable treatment of drinking water. Priority could be placed on areas with the most highly contaminated water or those that collect water directly from surface waters without any treatment. Could be placed in schools and hospitals for a wide-spread effect on some of the most vulnerable populations.
- Produce sufficient quantities of clean water to meet daily needs
- Effective for treating different water sources and quality levels
- Low cost, accessible and affordable replacement units and parts
Lack of access to safe water contributes significantly to disease and death resulting from infectious diarrhea and other debilitating illnesses. When poor families cannot afford adequate access to safe water, they buying water from cheaper sources that may have higher levels of contamination, or they may use less water, which could reduce their defenses against diseases. Household water technologies offer valuable treatment of drinking water. Priority could be placed on areas with the most highly contaminated water or those that collect water directly from surface waters without any treatment. Could be placed in schools and hospitals for a wide-spread effect on some of the most vulnerable populations.
Infant Incubator for Rural Health Centers
The goal of the project is to improve the first prototype developed in the IDDS 2008 at MIT. The purpose is to develop a set of low-cost modules for the infant incubator. The first proposal is to engineer a monitoring system which will record, graph and adjust the main parameters as temperature and humidity.
Our next steps are to develop the modular design of the infant incubator including alternative sources of power, heating/humidifier option, filtering system, pulse oxymeter, storage drawers and so on. When we build our ultimate prototype, we will be ready for field trials in Peru and other potential locations in Latin America. To define our business strategy, we will make market feasibility studies.
Components
The project will be implemented through four components:
a) Component I: Assessment of hardware and software
Through this component, open source hardware and software will be identified, assessed and clearly defined, based on a multidimensional analysis of technical feasibility including the identification of potential bottlenecks and critical factors in implementing this system in rural environments. This component is expected to produce a baseline documented and developed in accordance with clearly defined parameters and criteria.
b) Component II: Design of monitoring system
The purpose of this component is to propose the most viable solution for the monitoring system including safety standards, interface criteria, availability of materials and portability of the equipment. To this end, the component calls for preparing a technical proposal for developing the software which will include a graph option to see data, an automatic adjustment of parameters, recording of data and a warning system. This component is expected to produce technology and software for the new monitoring system developed and ready for integrating this module to our prototype of infant incubator.
c) Component III: Development of control system, interfaces, hardware assembling and software modules.
The objective of this component is to establish and build the monitoring system. At a minimum, the following outcomes are anticipated from this component:
- The controller is based on micro computerized system.
- Detachable monitoring system unit.
- Individual sensor for air and skin.
- The digital display system provided to set the required temperature as well as to measure infant’s temperature and air temperature.
- Displays RH.
- Memory back-up.
- Comprehensive alarms: Air Temperature Low / High, Skin Temperature Low / High, Sensor Failure, Low Battery, Heater Failure, Power Failure and Fan Failure.
d) Component IV: Testing and Debugging. Evaluate the experience gained.
The objective of this component is to capture, evaluate and disseminate the project activities and outcomes, and gain a better understanding of how to design low-cost modules for our infant incubator. The following activities will be carried out to attain this objective:
- Establish a set of test and record data to verify safety and appropriateness of our prototype.
- Develop a manual for the construction of this monitoring system.
- Disseminate the lessons learned via Appropedia and interviews to local partners.
The executing organism for the project will be Quantum Solutions, a private Think Tank and Social Business Incubator. This organization has the legal, administrative and financial capacity to implement all project activities. Additionally, an executing unit will be created in order to support project activities. To support and facilitate the tasks to be performed for program activities, a technical team will be created. The technical team will consist of two consultants: an electronic engineer and a software engineer. These representatives will monitor and oversee project execution and support the executing unit so that it is able to perform its tasks efficiently.
Our next steps are to develop the modular design of the infant incubator including alternative sources of power, heating/humidifier option, filtering system, pulse oxymeter, storage drawers and so on. When we build our ultimate prototype, we will be ready for field trials in Peru and other potential locations in Latin America. To define our business strategy, we will make market feasibility studies.
Components
The project will be implemented through four components:
a) Component I: Assessment of hardware and software
Through this component, open source hardware and software will be identified, assessed and clearly defined, based on a multidimensional analysis of technical feasibility including the identification of potential bottlenecks and critical factors in implementing this system in rural environments. This component is expected to produce a baseline documented and developed in accordance with clearly defined parameters and criteria.
b) Component II: Design of monitoring system
The purpose of this component is to propose the most viable solution for the monitoring system including safety standards, interface criteria, availability of materials and portability of the equipment. To this end, the component calls for preparing a technical proposal for developing the software which will include a graph option to see data, an automatic adjustment of parameters, recording of data and a warning system. This component is expected to produce technology and software for the new monitoring system developed and ready for integrating this module to our prototype of infant incubator.
c) Component III: Development of control system, interfaces, hardware assembling and software modules.
The objective of this component is to establish and build the monitoring system. At a minimum, the following outcomes are anticipated from this component:
- The controller is based on micro computerized system.
- Detachable monitoring system unit.
- Individual sensor for air and skin.
- The digital display system provided to set the required temperature as well as to measure infant’s temperature and air temperature.
- Displays RH.
- Memory back-up.
- Comprehensive alarms: Air Temperature Low / High, Skin Temperature Low / High, Sensor Failure, Low Battery, Heater Failure, Power Failure and Fan Failure.
d) Component IV: Testing and Debugging. Evaluate the experience gained.
The objective of this component is to capture, evaluate and disseminate the project activities and outcomes, and gain a better understanding of how to design low-cost modules for our infant incubator. The following activities will be carried out to attain this objective:
- Establish a set of test and record data to verify safety and appropriateness of our prototype.
- Develop a manual for the construction of this monitoring system.
- Disseminate the lessons learned via Appropedia and interviews to local partners.
The executing organism for the project will be Quantum Solutions, a private Think Tank and Social Business Incubator. This organization has the legal, administrative and financial capacity to implement all project activities. Additionally, an executing unit will be created in order to support project activities. To support and facilitate the tasks to be performed for program activities, a technical team will be created. The technical team will consist of two consultants: an electronic engineer and a software engineer. These representatives will monitor and oversee project execution and support the executing unit so that it is able to perform its tasks efficiently.
TechnoServe Business Plan Competition
TechnoServe is introducing its successful business plan competition model to help latinamerican entrepreneurs turn good ideas into businesses. The program will focus on small and medium businesses that benefit people at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
We made it through the first round of the "Idea Tu Empresa 2009" business plan competition in Peru. About 700 ideas were submitted and 80 ideas were selected as semifinalists to move forward to compete in Round 2 of the competition.
We made it through the first round of the "Idea Tu Empresa 2009" business plan competition in Peru. About 700 ideas were submitted and 80 ideas were selected as semifinalists to move forward to compete in Round 2 of the competition.
The Yachachiqs
Yachachiq is the person who know how to do something. Rural communities where the Yachachiqs system exists are small towns, with 10-15 families, and the average family farm size is around 0.1 hectar (100m2), some have local farm animals as llamas. In the traditional culture of the Andes there is not difference between arts and technics, a Yachachiq could be a master artisan or the local inventor. Yachachiq is not a name is a tittle, the community gives the title of Yachachiq to people from their community who has extraordinary habilities and leadership skills. It is similar to famous inventors or artist in the occidental culture, by example the american inventor Ray Kurzweil could be a Yachachiq.
They already have such incredible technical habilities and creativity. They can even decide whether some information, knowledge or tools would be useful if they could adapt it to serve their needs. When provided with that they can achieve wonders without any outside interference or advice. A Yachachiq could use modificated mechanical pieces from a motor to do pieces for agriculture or toys for their children, with the time and access to microfinances their could scale up and start their own factories and sell their services to near towns and cities.
New local initiatives emphasize participation of local people. In addition to appropriate technologies the new approach includes education on entrepreneurship. They are more applicable to Peru, due to understanding of budget, government, and cultural constraints. By Example, The Lemelson RAMP project in Peru, from 20 grassroot inventors, only 6 are based in urban zones, the other 14 are from rural zones of Cajamarca, Cusco and Puno.
Non-governmental organizations in Peru have many years of experience working successfully with the model of Yachachiqs. The public sector has started to establish a system of community promoters affiliated with the public sector (JUNTOS, CRECER, SIERRA PRODUCTIVA) who would have direct contact with local communities.
Rural development means developing the capacity of rural people. It means developing their skills so they become competent with the confidence to act on their choices. Importing technology from USA or China and sell these in Peru is not the right option. It creates disempowerment, leaving them dependent. But there is another way to empower the people. They must have access to information, knowledge, tools and the right to decide whether they want to do, independent of outsiders.
Technology is designed by engineers outside of the country and is in need of a redesign by Yachachiqs (local inventors). There is a need for developing appropriate technologies mainly irrigation technologies (drip and aspersion irrigation), food preservation, water and sanitation, soil regeration and others. It would allow rural farmers to generate additional income and should be designed so that they are affordable and available to rural farmers.
The purpose of our project is to review various technologies, configurations, identify locally available materials and components, perform usability tests, make recommendations for improvements and then create construction manuals for inexpensive DIY technologies to make components for agriculture, energy, health and environment preservation.
Yachachiq are DIY people, they dont buy things, they do their own things from available materials and they could learn about mechanics, electronics, software and manufacturing. We are not planing to use modern technology with Yachachiq, we are going to do a research about DIY projects and learn how to design an "appropriate technology" to be builded by Yachachiqs, they could make any changes and create their own machines and of course they will use their own ideas.
They already have such incredible technical habilities and creativity. They can even decide whether some information, knowledge or tools would be useful if they could adapt it to serve their needs. When provided with that they can achieve wonders without any outside interference or advice. A Yachachiq could use modificated mechanical pieces from a motor to do pieces for agriculture or toys for their children, with the time and access to microfinances their could scale up and start their own factories and sell their services to near towns and cities.
New local initiatives emphasize participation of local people. In addition to appropriate technologies the new approach includes education on entrepreneurship. They are more applicable to Peru, due to understanding of budget, government, and cultural constraints. By Example, The Lemelson RAMP project in Peru, from 20 grassroot inventors, only 6 are based in urban zones, the other 14 are from rural zones of Cajamarca, Cusco and Puno.
Non-governmental organizations in Peru have many years of experience working successfully with the model of Yachachiqs. The public sector has started to establish a system of community promoters affiliated with the public sector (JUNTOS, CRECER, SIERRA PRODUCTIVA) who would have direct contact with local communities.
Rural development means developing the capacity of rural people. It means developing their skills so they become competent with the confidence to act on their choices. Importing technology from USA or China and sell these in Peru is not the right option. It creates disempowerment, leaving them dependent. But there is another way to empower the people. They must have access to information, knowledge, tools and the right to decide whether they want to do, independent of outsiders.
Technology is designed by engineers outside of the country and is in need of a redesign by Yachachiqs (local inventors). There is a need for developing appropriate technologies mainly irrigation technologies (drip and aspersion irrigation), food preservation, water and sanitation, soil regeration and others. It would allow rural farmers to generate additional income and should be designed so that they are affordable and available to rural farmers.
The purpose of our project is to review various technologies, configurations, identify locally available materials and components, perform usability tests, make recommendations for improvements and then create construction manuals for inexpensive DIY technologies to make components for agriculture, energy, health and environment preservation.
Yachachiq are DIY people, they dont buy things, they do their own things from available materials and they could learn about mechanics, electronics, software and manufacturing. We are not planing to use modern technology with Yachachiq, we are going to do a research about DIY projects and learn how to design an "appropriate technology" to be builded by Yachachiqs, they could make any changes and create their own machines and of course they will use their own ideas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)