Principal Investigator Amy Smith
Co-investigator Anna Young
With a bucket, a pressure cooker, and 140 pocket-sized mirrors, IIH researchers have invented a device that uses sunshine to sterilize surgical tools. Solarclave provides reliable surgical sterilization for rural clinics outside of the grid -- enabling healthcare workers to provide basic, life-saving services for patients. It uses locally-available materials and manufacturing techniques that are already available in thousands of rural workshops across the world. Its thermodynamic efficiency allows for a small size that is easily transportable to remote clinics and is simple for one healthcare worker to set up. The technology is designed and built in collaboration with the Solar Women of Totogalpa, solar technology experts in Nicaragua.