International. Due to the high cost and unreliability of electricity, food refrigeration is a major problem in developing countries. In some parts of Africa, food spoilage can account for up to 40% of production.
Quang Truong, an MIT student in Boston has developed the Evaptainers, an electricity-free and mobile refrigerator, which uses evaporative cooling technology.
The system needs sun and 6 liters of water for 12 hours of use. Heat is extracted from inside the unit on the conductive aluminum plate. Filling wet sand in the hole between pots (called a zeer pot, and made of terracotta) keeps the interior cool.
It is designed without a fan or pump to be lightweight and mobile. It should cost between $10 to $20 and could increase end-user profits by 25%.
Learn more at www.evaptainers.com
