Recycling metal stove (RMS)

The problem we are trying to solve is the waste of complex materials. That could be transformed, modified in ways to improve quality of life of populations in need. The solution itself is to pick up metals that are in the middle where they no longer have any utilities and then modify them in solar stove, it would be necessary to polish these surfaces to have reflaction and then lead where electricity is not found, these people often live in conditions of extreme poverty. This project would have a positive influence when we would not only reduce the level of materials that would be wasted, reverting them  for solutions that will improve the quality of life of thousands who lives in for example in African countries such as Ghana, on issues that are fundamental to life as cooking food or heating water to kill beings microscope that cause fatal diseases.

Our proposed solution involves the recycling of metal products and the transformation of these in solar stoves to improve the quality of life of populations in the field of deaths caused by water and contaminated food. Data from the UN (United Nation) research indicates that 2.1 billion people throughout the world do not have access to potable water and this problem appears related to eighty percent of deaths and diseases. A total of 26 countries suffer from chronic water shortages and this number is expected to only increase. It is also possible to show that WHO (Organization of Health) reports that 2 billion people consume this water contaminated by fecal matter, which carry with them microorganisms that cause diseases such as typhoid, cholera, polio, and the estimated number of deaths caused by diarrhea is 500 thousand people. Also food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites and even toxins sickens a number 600 million people leading to death 420,000 of these. The project would use electronic waste that representing approximately 44.7 million tons in 2016 to reduce these mortality rates with the principle that cooking food and boiling water when it reaches high temperatures kill most of these disease causing microorganisms.

Our focus is on people living in areas with precarious basic sanitation, initially the project areas would be some of the countries with the lowest access to basic sanitation in the world such as South Sudan, Nigeria, Togo, Madagascar, Chad, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Congo, Tanzania, Eritrea and Liberia. This project will make it possible for these people to boil the water they consume and to cook their food, so there will be a decrease in the incidence of possible viruses and parasitic diseases that could be caused by microorganisms present in then. The reduction in the occurrence of these diseases is based on the fact that many of these microorganisms do not survive the high temperatures such as those reached in the cooking and boiling processes. Our motivation to carry out this project comes from the fact that there are people who have precarious access to basic sanitation and health system; so the project aims to improve the living conditions of these people by preventing them from getting sick because if this occurs they will not have access to quality medical treatment. In addition to it, this would give a function to materials that are without a use for society.

The project will help to consume renewable, reusable and recyclable materials by using metals and other materials that would have been discarded and have no function in our society, to create a solar stove. The structure of the stove will be based on the measurements and the format of a satellite dish; with these base measurements, it is possible to adjust them to varying sizes of stoves. The operation of the solar cooker is based on the properties of refractory materials, more specifically concave surfaces. In this case all the solar rays that affect the surface of the stove forming 90º with it converge at the same point, the focus, that can be in several positions depending on the curvatures and imperfections of the surfaces used, which allows the creation of stoves of varying sizes, by simply adjusting the focus to the desired dimensions. However, in order for the process of all rays to converge in the focus, it is necessary that the mold created from the measurements of the satellite dish has a smooth surface without many imperfections such as the inner face of an electronic (RAM memory). From this principle, the stove will have a support for a pan that will be located in the focus of that reflecting surface so that the rays converge in its heating up, cooking or boiling what is inside. The technology used in this project does not require highly complex procedures, because the goal is to create a workable and practical solution. This project aims to help the 2.1 billion people who according to the UN has no access to potable water, a situation that leads to the occurrence of various viruses and parasitic diseases that increase the infant mortality rate, which could be mitigated by the simple action of boiling the water before consuming it. The occurrence of these diseases may also be linked to the lack of appropriate hygiene of the food, in which case the microorganisms that cause these diseases could be eliminated by cooking the food. Thus, this project would contribute improving food hygiene conditions, the quality of life and health of millions of people; and also help nature by not adding to the carbon cycle because the project uses recycled materials giving a social function to them and to the approximately 52 million tons of electronic waste that will exist until 2021.

Our project is a new approach to the use of solar cookers. The idea is to present this already existing technology and thus draw attention to the possibility of using it to improve the living conditions of millions of people. The project not only uses existing technology but also brings innovations, such as the use of recyclable metals. The central goal is to bring social improvements in different areas from a new look to something that already exists. By using recycled metals we would be giving a function for materials that are disposed and without any function. Experts predict until 2021 a disposal of approximately 52 million tons of electronic waste, that has pieces that can be used in the construction of the reflecting surface of the solar cooker. Besides that, several diseases that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites such as diarrhea, hepatitis, and cholera, are extremely common in areas with precarious access to basic sanitation. These diseases could be prevented by boiling water and cooking food, which can be done with a solar cooker. Thus, we call attention to the possibility of using simple and viable technology to improve the quality of life of many people and to reduce the amount of electronic garbage that is discarded and without function.

Our project is not based on complex technology since it aims to create a practical solution, not something complex that demands high technology. The main basis of this project is the reflection, a subject commonly learned in high school physics classes. The physics and mathematics present in the reflection process do not involve much complexity, something that is very important for our project that aims not only to be a viable solution but also a cheap solution. The idea is to be able to transport the reflective parts already assembled and send their supports disassembled to the populations that will receive them so that these supports are assembled by the people who will use the stoves. The recycled metals will be used to create the reflecting concave surface, and from the surface's dimension, the exact point of the focus, place of convergence of the reflected solar rays that focused on the surface forming 90º, will be calculated. From the exact calculation of the focus, a pan holder will be created exactly at the place of convergence of the solar rays. With the pan in the focus, all the solar rays that touch the surface forming 90º with it will reach the pan generating heat, this heat can be used to cook food and to boil water since the solar cooker will allow that the pan reaches a temperature capable of realizing such tasks.

According to the United Nations (UN), more than 2 billion people have lack access to the most basic sanitation services, and approximately 2.1 billion people do not have access to safe water. This situation leads to several diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites because this untreated water contains, in most cases, several microorganisms that are harmful to human health. Seeing that in the XXI century this situation still lasts, we decided to create an idea that tries to help these people through a solar cooker made from recyclable materials. The solar cooker will be created with recycled metals because we will help not only people who do not have access to basic sanitation by giving them a way to cook food and boil water, but we will also help nature by reusing metals that are discarded, because according to the UN electronic waste  will reach an amount of approximately 120 million tons by 2050. Another point we took into account was that people we want to help do not have access to a quality health service, and because of that simple health problem such as diarrhea, can be fatal. Therefore, our project would make possible to cook food and boil water, which would improve the living conditions of these people because it would reduce the possibility of contraction of these diseases that can be fatal.

 Our goals/objectives for the next year are already based on obtaining the donations, partnerships, necessary for the realization of the project to constructions of the stoves, the installation and distribution primarily in the areas where they are needier. When this first phase is complete, seen the effectiveness of the project, we would expand to other areas that require the project. Over the years, the final phase of our idea is to distribute courses for the populations where the stoves have been implemented to instruct for possible necessary repairs, maintenance and assembly of these. Where these qualified people be able to distribute more active and quickly in their communities the stove for that we do not have to necessarily be present for the assembly of each device, but rather be present in other regions for distribution. The courses would be based on the qualification of interested persons, and being instructed these to how as assembling the devices with the pieces that would arrive, these would come from the contributors where the concave surface of the stove would already be assembled and the disassembled brackets to facilitate transport. With this after years of distribution we want the project to become self-sufficient, since at least one person from each community would has the necessary capacity to work with the stoves, so only regular visits would be necessary on these communities, and the direct communication with the sponsors that would be helping on the creating of the stoves for distribution.

One of the main barriers that exists is able to communicate with companies that discard the materials that would be used as also build a dialogue with these and others on possible sponsorships that they would serve as marketing for them, showing that they are concerned with the disadvantaged populations around the globe and helping to try change their situation. Needing help with marketing itself for the project, that would help in spreading the intention of the project and the companies that have helped it but, consequently, disseminating it to other possible donations. With contact with companies and the virtual world comes also the need for legal aid so that all negotiations, donations, export and import between several countries is in accordance to its legislation, judicial assistance is necessary in the communication with the organization that regulates trade in each country to try to reduce or remove the customs duties collected. Also one of the great difficulties is and find an organization that is in the regions or would it help us reach those, because we believe that with them the first contact would be facilitated due to cultural and linguistic differences. The organizations would also help in assembly of the equipment to expedite the time of action in each village. In the final phase of the project with the implementation of the courses, those organizations that maybe have partnerships whit us would help in the distribution of these courses because, with more people, the work would be more efficient.

In order to overcome the main barrier we will try to contact organizations that already have operations in the area where we find ours materials, in order to posteriorly be able to contact the companies to directly help us. In addition, if we move to the finals in New York we will be talking to the companies that will be there to listen and see the solutions. We would contact those that mainly work in the market where are the materials we need and with others to get the sponsorship necessary for the development and implementation of the project. At marketing question, we will try
to get in touch with students and trainees to collaborate in the creation, maintenance of the website, slogans and in return, we would give certificates of participation because even more companies seek workers who help raise awareness of society. The judicial question we would seek out those lawyers who have non-profit aid projects many of these attorneys are experts in the fields that evolve many countries because most of the time they help with the issue of immigration or in labor proceedings, helping us on the issue of trade and in the legislation of each country to collect of donations. In order to find the organization that we would form partnerships we would look for organizations that the UN has contact, search for those who have a good record of accomplishment, we would also contact doctors without borders who have a strong presence in Africa.

The team responsible for this project is composed of two young students who are the idealizers of this solution. These two girls who are involved in all parts of this project are the full-time acting team. They came up with this idea and improved it through research and conversations with professors of the exact sciences, such as physics and geometry, and with professors from areas that study populations and societies, such as geography. So they were able to develop their idea not only by targeting the field of sciences but also by understanding the importance of this project for society.

Our team is highly qualified to manage this project because we did several types of research before developing this idea and we are completely committed to this solution. The reality is that there are no better or worse people to develop projects that aim the common good, but people who decide to take initiative and try to change reality for the better. The members of our group are extremely dedicated and committed people to what they do; they are passionate about studies and have a desire to make the world a better place. Our group has knowledge of physics and mathematics required for the development and operation of solar cookers since we have already studied the main contents involved in this project, the thermology and the reflection of concave surfaces, in addition, we understand the situation of extremely poor societies and we understand the importance of a means of sanitizing their food and water. We are a group that takes no effort to ensure the quality of what we do and are always willing to learn new things and strive to overcome whatever barriers may try to prevent us from doing good work. Therefore, we consider our group extremely qualified to develop this project not only because we have knowledge of what we are doing and because we had this idea, but also because of our determination and willingness to make this solution effective, because we are aware of the benefits that it would bring to millions of people.

Our project intends to be a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Our operation and the production of solar cookers will be financed by funds obtained through donations and financial assistance of our sponsors. With this money, we will provide the materials to assemble the solar cookers and their transport. Once our project has enough capital, we intend to create a headquarter of our NGO and hire employees to help us in controlling the project, allowing the expansion of this idea and making possible for us to serve more communities. Following this first step that would be the creation of this headquarter in Brazil, our country, our objective is to create headquarters in the countries that we will attend with our project so that in addition to helping people with the solar cookers we can generate jobs. These locations in the countries that will be served by the project will have local officials who will undergo a training process that will enable them to understand the operation of the project and the solar cookers. The salary of these employees would be paid with the money obtained by our NGO through means already mentioned, thereby we would be offering not only the solar cookers but also a certain professional qualification to the citizens of the countries we serve. So these local officials would be responsible for the possible maintenance of solar cookers in the regions served by their headquarters, and also work on controlling the distribution of solar cookers arriving in their region.

For the operation of this project, the things that will be necessary are the recycled and already welded metals, the supports and the transport of the solar cookers. Regarding recycled and welded metals, our project will seek to form partnerships with companies that work with the metal smelter and with companies that generate electronic waste. The companies that produce electronic waste would come by granting our project the parts that contain metals that can be recycled and that would be discarded by them. For the companies that work with the smelting of metals, we will propose a sponsorship agreement in which such companies would donate the molten metals and would have their name disclosed as major supporters of our project, or grant us a significant discount in the purchase of recycled metals. We will also need a monetary fund to cover transportation costs, since our proposal is initially to serve the most calamitous populations, and these are on the African continent. Therefore, in order to raise money for the transportation and support of the stoves our project will seek companies that have an interest in sponsoring our idea, in which case these companies would also have their names disclosed as supporters of the project. In addition, we will also create fundraising campaigns so that not only corporations, but also citizens who wish to support the project, but do not have a firm to carry out such an action, can collaborate with the operation of our idea.

We are applying to Solve because we think he can help to overcome one of the main barriers which is to establish an initial contact with potential sponsors for then effectively start putting the project into practice. We think it will help because if selected for the final phase we will be speaking to these and then be able to show that we are a focused group that deserve sponsorship and the prize. Also with the initial award and specialized mentoring that could help to streamline the project enabling the construction of the first equipments and implantation in the proposed
areas, they would help in the communication showing how we could construct a harmonious dialogue with the various sectors that we are going work since these mentors are inserted in the middle. Can help in changes and which is the best way to follow in the project planning because they have previous experiences with the effective application of projects that want to improve the society. With the possible help of these instructors, we will be able to ask questions about the best way to go and how to seek and get sponsorship to expand the idea. Solve will create the possibility of taking our idea of the prototype and passing it on to the next stages until
we can not only help those who need our project but also create a self-sufficient project and through companies and marketing aware that there are still populationswhich do not have basic resources.

Our project would like to establish partnerships with companies that produce electronic waste, companies that work with the recycling and modeling of metals, companies that work with transportation and with other companies that have the interest to sponsor our idea financially and in compensation to have their names disclosed as collaborators of this project. Through the agreement with the companies that produce electronic waste, these would direct all those wastes that have metals that can be recycled and reused to our project. The companies that work on the recycling of these metals would have a partnership with us where they would recycle these metals obtained by us without a monetary cost but would be left with part of the final product for them as payment, and the metals we would receive from these companies would already be shaped in the form of thin plates to be inserted into the support and act on the solar cooker. The transport companies could carry our solar cookers to their destinations free of charge since they are not a commodity but rather humanitarian objects, or such companies would give us a discount on the transportation of the stoves. In addition,  to contribute to the eventual costs of production and transportation of solar cookers we would make sponsorship agreements where the companies would help us financially and they would have their names disclosed as project collaborators, as it happens with sponsors of Non-Governmental Organizations.

 Our project would use the prize to promote advancements in our solution. The money could be invested in marketing so we could publicize the project making it increasingly known. This way, we could get more assistance in not only the form of new sponsors but also the help of people who wish to make monetary donations and of those who wish to volunteer to help set up the solar cookers. This award would make it possible to reach new sponsors through the monetary investment in marketing, and through the reliability and seriousness that would be attributed to our solution. Another use that would be given to the money coming from the prize would be the investment of the same one in possible expenses like transport, and mainly in the accomplishment of one of our objectives that would be the extension of this project from the creation of a headquarters with employees that would help us in the control of the operation of the project. In the latter case, the money would be partly invested for the creation of the headquarters and part would be destined to create a reserve that yields, for example, a fund of savings that could be used in cases of emergencies. So from the investment of the prize in the expansion of the project and the structuring of a headquarters, it would be possible to help more and more communities that need the help offered by our project, since we would be better structured.