I am always interested in eco-friendly, simple yet cheap inventions, and in the last couple of weeks I have come across two.
The first is a solution to daytime lighting in the dark accomodation found in the shanty towns across the developing world. In these homes, windows cost too much and indoor lighting is restricted to night-time, if at all, due to energy cost. Electricity, of course, is usually not available.
To put it simply, a large plastic drinks bottle is taken, cleaned, filled with water and a little bleach added to eliminate the possibility of algal contamination. Then, a piece of corrugated iron is fitted around the top and then the resulting water-light is placed in the roof of the hut. Simple but brilliant:
The second invention is a very basic, but effective refridgerator. It is essentially one unglazed pot fitted into another. A layer of wet sand is placed between the two pots, and the energy lost by evaporation keeps the produce in the smaller inner pot cool:
This simple little device improves the life of stored produce from three days to up to three weeks. In addition, the quality of life for the people has improved. The families can afford to send their daughters to school rather than have them go to market every day.
Incredibly simple, but effective devices to improve the quality of life.
Links to the original news storied can be found by clicking on Water bottle lights and Electricity-free refridgerator
