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| Open Innovation Inspires BSF Larvae Prototype |
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Based on the winning ideas in our InnoCentive Challenge, we´re taking important steps closer to a sanitation system using Black Soldier Fly larvae
Our recent online Challenge in partnership with InnoCentive proved the huge potential of open innovation. The fantastic response has left us in a strong position to move towards prototyping a system that will allow Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to be used to reduce waste mass in pit latrines. The larvae can then be harvested and used elsewhere as an economic resource.
We selected four winners from almost 50 Challenge entries, then brought together members of our diverse network for a two-day workshop in London to decide the next steps. After brainstorming, modelmaking and mulling over tricky issues like how to stop larvae escaping, we chose two exciting ideas to develop for prototyping.
Winning Designs
Both harness the natural movement of pre-pupal larvae away from food, towards dry dark crevices, perfect locations from which to harvest them. One was the overall InnoCentive Challenge winner the ‘Kone’, designed by Emil and Erik Martinsson, water and waste engineering consultants from Sweden. Their flexible rubber cone can be pushed through a small latrine hole to be suspended inside the pit on the sludge surface. The other, the ‘Daisy Chain’, is a flexible, lightweight circular tube which floats on the sludge surface. Find out more about both ideas on our website.
Although the Challenge was to design a system that fits into existing latrines, the workshop also generated interesting ideas for a contained system that could be integrated into a specially designed latrine top or a complete new BSF larvae toilet. Look out for more about this soon.
We also identified additional directions for our research into BSF behaviour. How far can the larvae travel, for example, and how fast? This knowledge will feed into our prototype development.
Building The Business Case
We´ll continue working with Emil and Erik to take both our lead ideas to workable prototypes. They´ll examine the key design questions and, critically, how to make servicing the Kone and Daisy Chain safe and acceptable for users and whoever installs and maintains the system. That´s vital, both for consumers´ health and dignity, and so we create a product that´s commercially viable.
We´ll keep you posted during 2012, as we develop and trial our prototypes, before selecting the best approach for business case development.
Best wishes
The Sanitation Ventures team |
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| Did you know ? |
| Doctors voted that no innovation has done more to improve human health than safe sanitation.
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| Coming soon... |
| The latest on our pioneering research into understanding and speeding up decomposition processes in latrine pits.
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