We Have Met the Future and It Is Green - Sustainable Design: The Science of Sustainability and Green Engineering - page 319

Figure 8.11 In numerous
communities, such as this one in
Africa, gender roles are quite
specific. Merging modern
technologies with traditional
methods can change the risk
profiles for better or worse. For
example, in this village,
technology can ease women's
workload through technological
development, but could upset
gender roles that have existed for
centuries. Technology transfer
must always include an
appreciation for cultural mores
and norms. Even the greenest
design is a failure if it is not
implemented.
food source for animals and for use in biodiesel fuel, to the pulp used in creating
candle wicks. The traditional processes of harvesting palm oil became the focus
of Chinyere's innovation, due to the significant health hazards associated with the
hand press and boiling methods (see Fig. 8.11) as well as the low yields relative to
the amount of labor and time required. The development of a new screw press
included the evaluation of alternative indigenous materials and evaluation of their
advantages and disadvantages based on material properties. The final solution was
drawn from research on techniques developed by the National Institute on Dental
and Carniofacial Research. By applying their techniques for developing artifi-
cial bones by treating ceramics, a material locally available in the villages from
the native clays, an appropriate material for the surface of the new screw press
was proposed to replace the fired clays, which proved to be too brittle, and the
problems associated with the bamboo surface absorbing the oil.
Elizabeth, a senior mechanical engineering major, sought to build awareness
among the entering class of students about the importance of sustainability and
the opportunities to be active participants in on-campus programs during their
four years of undergraduate study. The “Freshman Sustainability Experience”
began with surveys conducted to determine the current knowledge that existed
on campus about the 18 programs already in place to collect different types
of recyclables. A surprising outcome of this research was the revelation that
recycling practices among students actually decreased on campus compared to
the level of recycling activity done at home and in high school. The survey data
were used to create an action plan for addressing the shortcomings revealed in
the current programs as well as creating an orientation for incoming freshman,