Besides having won awards for their creations, Peruvian scientists have found interesting ways to take care of the environment and save energy from home.
Rodrigo Coquis, 23, an industrial engineer graduated from Universidad de Lima, was always interested in science and chemistry.
“I’ve always thought science can solve problems and, at the same time, create profitable products. This way of thinking helped me create Green Tech,” he said.
Green Tech uses a green vehicle technology that helps solve the pollution problem caused by combustion engine vehicles used for agriculture, mining and rural, urban transportation.
This initiative won first place at the international contest Bayer Young Community Innovators (BYCI).
“This system operates through a small device installed in an engine and is able to benefit a wide range of people and businesses. It saves up to 40% of fuel and, therefore, reduces contamination and maintenance of the vehicle.
The small device is made of three chemical reactors. One of them is placed in the gas tank to purify it in optimal conditions. The second device is placed in the hose, enriching the fuel and making it more efficient during the process.
Finally, the third reactor creates additives that are mixed in to make combustion more efficient. The installation cost of Green Tech is half the price of that of the liquefied petroleum gas, and its benefits increase when used in trucks or buses.
BYCI is aimed at rewarding initiatives of young people interested in improving quality of life of vulnerable populations.
Not only independent initiatives are proposed. The National Council for Science, Technology and Technological Innovation (Concytec) has been making larger-scale proposals related to the use of sustainable energy in every home of the country.
Gabriela Bertone, sustainable energy specialist at Concytec says this institution proposes innovation initiatives across the nation.
According to Bertone, Ica, Tacna, Ancash and Tumbes already have mills that convert the energy of wind into rotational energy. However, she said these are limited efforts in order to make positive or negative impressions, due to the expensive costs required to implement it on a massive scale.
"There are solar panels operating in Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna and even Lima. This is obviously positive, but we haven’t tapped their full potential yet. That is our main concern right now," she added.
Similar proposals are developed by students from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. One of them is named “Lighting through Solar Panels and Water Purification Using Ultraviolet Light,” which stands out since it is an economically viable and socially inclusive initiative.
The project lies in installing solar panels that storage energy in batteries used to power LED lamps (4 lamps per panel) and, at the same time, enable an ultraviolet radiation filter system to eliminate 99.99% of bacteria from water.
(END) DOP/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/20/2015