Abstract

1. The mission of Grupo Fenix is to contribute to the wellbeing of rural communities, creating an awareness of sustainable lifestyles through technical and cultural exchange, promotion, and research in the field of renewable energy. Solving Energy Problems in Rural Nicaragua Through the University of Dayton's ETHOS Program: Solar Ovens, Solar Lighting, and Solar Autoclaves Vince Romanin Lori Hanna, Daniel Hensel, Peter Kolis, Matthew Wills Mechanical EngineeringAdvisors:Dr. Margaret Pinnell and Bro. Philip T Aaron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Nicaragua.svg This summer, five students will travel to Nicaragua through UD’s ETHOS program to work with GrupoFenix on different appropriate technologies Abstract The 'energy crisis' is often associated with rising gas prices and higher electricity bills, but for developing countries energy problems are much more severe. Grupo Fenix is an organization located at the National Engineering University in Managua, Nicaragua dedicated to using renewable energy to promote the welfare of rural communities. Five UD students will travel to Nicaragua this summer to work with this organization in solving these problems. Traditional cooking fires in rural Nicaragua can cause severe indoor air pollution and many health risks, in addition to contributing to deforestation. They also require a great deal of time every day to collect wood, time that could otherwise be spent working or at school. Solar powered ovens provide a cleaner and completely renewable cooking method that can improve the lifestyle of families in Nicaragua. Night in Nicaragua falls at about 6:00 pm all year, and a lack of electrification limits the amount of time children can study. Photovoltaic systems, LED lights, and micro-loans allow families to purchase and own low-cost lighting systems powered by the sun. Hospitals in rural areas often have insufficient equipment to properly sterilize medical instruments, which can lead to unsanitary conditions and a spread of infections. A solar autoclave is being designed by a group of UD students that uses a solar oven to provide the necessary heat and pressure to sterilize instruments. Grupo Fenix and students from the University of Dayton will tackle these problems this summer in a 10 week service-learning trip to Nicaragua with solar stoves, solar powered LED lighting systems, and a solar powered autoclave. ABOUT: Grupo Fenix “The mission of Grupo Fenix is to contribute to the wellbeing of rural communities, creating an awareness of sustainable lifestyles through technical and cultural exchange, promotion, and research in the field of renewable energy.” www.grupofenix.org Students will be partnering with this organization to work with various sustainable and appropriate technologies in rural Nicaragua, including solar box cookers, solar LED lights, solar panels, and solar autoclaves. -Appropriate Technologies - Appropriate technology is technology that is designed with special consideration to the environmental, ethical, cultural, social and economical aspects of the community it is intended for. With these goals in mind, AT typically requires fewer resources, is easier to maintain, has a lower overall cost and less of an impact on the environment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appropriate_technology Solar Box Cooker/Solar Autoclave Solar LED Lights Solar Panel Assembly ABOUT: The University of Dayton’s ETHOS Program ETHOS – Engineers in Technical, Humanitarian Opportunities of Service-learning – is a summer study/service program through the school of engineering that sends students to developing countries The electrification of the developing world is a significant first step in improving the quality of life of the people who live there “Every year, indoor air pollution is responsible for the death of 1.6 million people - that's one death every 20 seconds.” -World Health Organization, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs292/en/index.html • Traditional indoor cooking fires cause problems with deforestation, indoor air pollution, and burns. • Insulated boxes lined with a reflective surface trap energy from the sun • Food can be cooked without the use of indoor fires – which cause dangerous indoor air pollution • Rural clinics often do not have the ability to sterilize medical instruments. An autoclave is being designed by UD students to sterilize medical instruments inside a solar oven • Benefits of electrification include: • Increasing the number of hours people are able to study, work, read, etc. • Provide basic appliances such as refrigerators for holding vaccines in clinics • Radios and televisions • Power for religious, school, and community buildings All pictures from: http://www.grupofenix.org/projects.html