Sunday, December 6, 2009

Solar Powered Camels

Good Morning All! As I was stumbling around this morning I came across an article at one of my favorite blogs, "Be The Change" This site is full of ways that the whole world can change for the better by using renewable energy sources, living green, and conserving what precious resources that are still left. I suggest you, my readers, check it out for it really deserves to be "The best of the web!"





Some of Kenya’s camels are carrying the solar-powered mini fridges on their backs as part of a test project that uses camels as mobile health clinics. It is hoped that the eco-friendly transport system will provide a cheap, reliable way of getting much-needed medicines and vaccines to rural communities in Kenya and Ethiopia.

The Nomadic Communities Trust has been using camels as mobile health clinics in isolated areas with few roadways in Kenya, but up to now has been unable to deliver medicines and vaccines that require refrigeration. In 2005, Nomadic Communities Trust partnered with California’s Art Center College of Design’s Designmatters and Princeton’s Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM) to create a lightweight and durable solar-powered refrigerator that can be strapped to camels’ backs in order to transport chilled medicines and vaccines.

The mini fridge is housed in a bamboo saddle that is lightweight and durable enough for camels to easily carry it across miles of rough terrain. The solar panels can also be used by the mobile clinics for lighting and refrigeration in the field.

Designmatters‘ executive director, Mariana Amatullo, said the project was designed with a budget of only a few thousand dollars and the device was tested on the Bronx Zoo's camels to save money.

The fridges are currently being tested on camels in Kenya and Ethiopia, but Amatullo says the system could be used by any rural communities with access to camels. If the project gets enough funding, it will be implemented in 2010.



Direct link to the article

3 comments:

  1. What a clever idea, if it works. I wonder what the problems would be. Is the unit heavy for tha camels to carry? Maybe they are strong enough.
    Anna

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  2. Fascinating. I have the same question Anna does about the weight of the unit. Otherwise, it's a great idea if the camel doesn't mind. :)

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  3. Wow this is quite ingenious! I don't think the unit would be too heavy, camels can carry really heavy stuff since that's what they use them for.

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