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Solar Cooker
The Background
When developing ideas for his HSC Design and Technology project, Rohan was greatly influenced by his own experiences of living in Africa. He did not want to design ‘just another chair’; he wanted to create something that could assist people to address real sustainability challenges. Rohan realised the environmental impacts of developing countries' reliance on wood and kerosene stoves (for example deforestation, soil erosion, air pollution) and sought to provide a more sustainable solution. He also wanted to create something that could be used in disaster relief areas where resources such as water, fuel and appliances are limited. Rohan decided to design a solar cooker for use in developing countries and disaster relief areas.
The Project
Rohan’s extensive market research revealed that while a number of solar cookers exist, none of them are compactable, small or transportable. Rohan drew from existing solar cooker designs but sought to improve his product by using all three methods of energy production – reflecting the suns rays, absorbing the suns rays and insulating the collected heat. Through a process of continuous improvement, Rohan developed a functioning model and tested its effectiveness through a series of experiments. The result is a solar cooker that reflects a special consideration for use in third world countries and disaster relief areas - it has an innovative flat packing design, makes use of locally available material, is cost effective, durable and practical.
The Journey
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Through an extensive research process, Rohan learnt about the costs and benefits of existing solar cookers and used his experience and knowledge to create a more sustainable solution.
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Rohan's project effectively addresses a wide range of social and environmental sustainability issues such as human health, access to clean water, energy conservation, deforestation and air pollution.
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Rohan developed a culturally appropriate sustainable solution for people in developing countries and disaster relief areas - the cooker is easily constructed with locally available, cheap material and is powered by a renewable energy source.
Through this project Rohan demonstrates a thorough understanding of sustainability from a social, cultural, and environmental context developing technological solution with potential for real world application.
