2015-2016
Lighting the developing world with solar-powered LEDs
Contact: Professor Humphreys, An Bao, Suman-Lata Sahonta, James Griffiths, Christopher Ren and F. Choi, Materials Science The Cambridge Centre for Gallium Nitride has pioneered research into the development of Gallium Nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on silicon substrates. This makes them very low-cost and easy to include in products. Over 2 million of these…
Using the biogas ecosystem to alleviate the poverty of African
Contact: Mohan Ahad & Lester Membe, Claremont Innovations Biogas digesters are becoming more widespread in the developing world. Anaerobic digesters on various scales take compostable waste and produce biogas which can be used to generate heat and electricity, as well as high-quality fertiliser to improve the soil. Anecodotally, many communities actually value the fertiliser…
Developing a low-cost microscope for water testing
Contact: Tianheng Zhao & Alex Patto, Department of Materials Science & Department of Genetics & WaterScope Globally, 750 million people lack access to clean water, with 82% of people these living in rural areas. Waterborne diseases from bacterial pathogens have been estimated to result in over 2.2 million deaths per-year, including diarrheal, gastrointestinal diseases and…