C. Engdahl
The Big E of Big E Toys
I don't normally repost content or simply link to other articles, but I'm a sucker for stories about simple, yet really good innovations.
According to an EurekAlert.org press release, a simple salad spinner has been used by two Rice University undergrads to create a centrifuge that can be used to easily separate blood in resource-poor settings without access to electricity.
Rice sophomore Lila Kerr and freshman Lauren Theis are taking their newly developed contraption, dubbed the "Sally Centrifuge" abroad for nearly two months this summer as part of Beyond Traditional Borders (BTB), Rice's global health initiative that brings new ideas and technologies to underdeveloped countries. The Sally Centrifuge will be used to help diagnose anemia in developing countries such as Ecuador and Malawi which in turn will aid in diagnosing malnutrition, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria.
The parts for the contraption cost about $30.
Outstanding.