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A LT ER NATI V E EN ER G Y R E VI E W Developments in Alternative Energy SILICON VALLEY HONOURS INNOVATORS WHOSE WORK BENEFITS HUMANITY The Tech Museum of Innovation, or, The Tech, is a hands-on technology and science museum, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, in downtown San Jose, California. It was here, in November 2012, that Indian philanthropist N.R. Narayana Murthy and a dozen innovators from around the world were honoured at The Tech Awards, Silicon Valley���s most esteemed program for honoring the people who create pioneering technology to benefit humanity. ���Technology uses the power of science to make life better for all of society,��� Murthy said. ���I believe that technology not only has the power to make a difference in health, nutrition, and sheltering the poor, but it also can enhance one���s confidence and dignity. The Tech Awards recognizes this. And I am honored to be a part of this distinguished program.��� Presented by Applied Materials, Inc. [AMAT-NASDAQ], and working in conjunction with Santa Clara University���s Center for Science (CSTS), and Technology, the Tech Awards has recognized 257 laureates since its inception in 2001. Their pioneering work has included building a ���solar suitcase��� to provide emergency lighting and power for medical procedures, developing an eco-techniques toolkit that improves living conditions in rural communities and the creation of a heatsensitive label for vaccine vials to make sure people receive potent immunizations. This year���s laureates represent regions as diverse as Africa, India and Latin America, and their work impacts people in many more corners of the globe. For their commitment to applying technology in practical ways to resolve some of the world���s most challenging issues, the laureates are given a week filled with unique Silicon Valley business experi50 www.resourceworld.com ences and training and an unrestricted cash award up to $75,000. Judging for The Tech Awards is conducted by the CSTS, which acts as an independent party that organizes and convenes six panels of expert judges representing academia and the public and private sectors. Following is a partial list of laureates and their accomplishments in the area of alternative energy: Intel Environment Award LEHR, Inc. Propane Outboard Motors Region of Impact: North America Problem: Small gasoline engines cause excessive pollution, yet electric or battery solutions do not provide the performance required to be a universally viable alternative. Solution: Patented gaseous-fueled engines (designed and optimized to burn propane, which is rated at 110 octane) that significantly reduces or eliminates pollution while improving performance and reducing cost of ownership. Impact: To date, about 100,000 lawn and garden engines have been sold that eliminate evaporative emissions while reducing volatile organic compounds emissions. Marine outboard engines eliminate fuel spills into water while reducing methyl-mercury-causing particulate emissions by up to 96%. Katherine M. Swanson Young Innovator Award Angaza��� Design Region of Impact: Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia Problem: 1.5 billion people around the world lack access to electricity, and prohibitively high upfront prices for quality solar products prevent millions of off-grid families from purchasing them. Solution: Low-cost, embedded Pay-AsYou-Go technology that allows customers by Jane Bratun to pay for energy use in small amounts with cash-in-hand. Remotely regulated over cellular networks and integrated with existing mobile money platforms, these energy payments are cheaper than typical weekly kerosene expenditures. Impact: Clean, bright light, and cellphone charging financially accessible to customers in Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia. Nokia Health Award BioLite��� Region of Impact: Global��� Problem: Every year almost 2 million people die prematurely from indoor pollution caused by smoky, open cooking fires; these same fires contribute more black carbon than all the cars and trucks in the world combined. Solution: The BioLite Homestove: a lowcost, highly efficient wood-burning stove that dramatically reduces smoke and harmful black carbon emissions while reducing fuel needs by 50%. Impact: Paying for itself in six to seven months, a single HomeStove lowers the rates of potentially fatal respiratory diseases while saving ~2,000 lbs of wood per year and averting the CO2 emissions equal to that of a compact car. Embrace Region of Impact: Global��� Problem: 1.1 million preterm babies die every year; 75% could survive with inexpensive treatment. Solution: A low-cost infant warmer specifically designed to address the needs of babies suffering from hypothermia. The design looks like a miniature sleeping bag and incorporates a material that stays at a constant temperature for up to 6 hours. This low-cost solution maintains premature and low birth-weight babies��� body temperature MARCH 2013