We aim to design a storage, refrigeration, and transport device that maintains the temperature and humidity conditions required for medications and rapid tests in extreme weather conditions.
Define the problem/need you are solving or addressing with your project. How does it address the Open Call criteria, such as environmental impact, social engagement, circularity, user experience, resource efficiency, and community-driven solutions?
Our project was born in response to the humanitarian crisis affecting countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Panama, India, and South Sudan. Nowadays, thousands of essential medical products must be discarded due to extreme climatic conditions and lack of resources, which lead to the deterioration of their properties and prevent their proper use. The goal of the partnership between our engineering team and MSF is to develop a modular storage device that keeps essential medical products within a temperature range of 15°C to 25°C and a humidity of less than 60%, preventing their deterioration. Our solution reflects Open Call’s theme of aid-focused innovation because our product would be used in these scenarios where ONGs work. We have interviewed real users in each of the countries to cater directly to their needs.
Please describe your project, reflecting on the concept, inspiration, materials, technical aspects, methods and process(es).
Our solution consists of 4 essential components that work together to ensure optimal performance.
1. The cooling system is the core of the device, designed to maintain a stable temperature for as long as possible, optimizing energy consumption. It uses thermoelectric cooling and is powered by solar energy.
2. The outer case encloses and protects the cooling module, ensuring efficient thermal insulation, impact resistance, and a design adapted for easy transportation.
3. The interior architecture is designed to store up to 30 liters of medical products, maximizing thermal efficiency through the integration of phase change materials (PCM), which extend cooling duration and reduce energy demand.
4. Finally, the connection system is responsible for monitoring and precise temperature control, providing real-time data and alerts in case of fluctuations to ensure the safety and stability of stored medications.
What do you think makes your project innovative compared to the existing efforts and ideas in the field it addresses?
We, as Trustto team, develop this project for humanitarian emergency contexts, where the main goal is to improve people’s lives without any economic interest. Currently, medical-humanitarian organizations such as MSF don’t have solutions that maintain the temperature and humidity conditions in peripheral communities because there is no stable electrical source, and thus, the available products in the market, don’t meet their needs. We are focused on creating a solution that is tailored and solves every pain that the users have, by listening directly to their needs. Our product includes renewable energy, additive manufactoring and other innovative technologies. We will develop a high-performance product by combining design and engineering.**Does it impact or reflect young people’s need(s) and how (limit 150 words):** We want to share and give more visibility to the projects that ONGs are doing all over the world. Young people have shown that they are motivated to make an impact and improve the society in which we live in. Young people want to make a change and build more sustainable solutions, ensure that there are equal opportunities for everyone and everywhere.
