Engineering Innovators without Borders: Developing Entrepreneurial Opportunities for the Developing World through Engineering Redesign

Abstract

“Engineering Innovators without Borders” seeks to establish entrepreneurship opportunities for the developing world. Through the Junior/Senior engineering clinics at Rowan University, engineering and business majors work together to develop sustainable devices and business plans. The first technology developed by this project is the human powered grain crusher. The grain crusher project aims to create a cheap and simple mechanical device to grind barley, corn, and other grain. The grain crusher utilizes human energy to crush grains quickly and efficiently. The goal is to provide technological solutions to problems in the developing world by using detailed opportunity recognition evaluations and development of prototypes. The prototypes are then turned over to the developing world for manufacture, distribution, and use. The projects are expected to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for the developing world, alleviate poverty, and improve the quality of life. The grain crusher will be adopted by the DHAN Foundation in India for manufacturing and piloting.