1
Problem This project was funded by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fox and Beyond Traditional Borders, which is made possible by a grant to Rice University from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Undergraduate Science Education Program. The design work for this project was supported by the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen. Implementation Plans Acknowledgements System Criteria Nanoparticles Harness Solar Energy Solar-Powered Autoclave Design Prototype Testing • Absorb entire UV, visible, and NIR spectrum • Sustain temperatures 40% higher than required for sterilization • 4x more efficient than solar panels • Appropriate for resource- constrained settings No power requirement No noxious chemicals Reusable • Create standalone, robust, modular sterilization system Automate cycle Simplify user interface • Distribute to dental and medical outreach groups that work in resource-constrained settings Decrease risk of infection and disease transmission Enable work in more remote areas • Conducted safety testing Hydrostatic pressure testing Finite element analysis Thermal testing • Conducted full-cycle thermal testing Achieved : 119 ̊C and 12 psig Sterilization validated with thermally resistant bacteriological indicators • Plan to conduct additional thermal testing and durability testing. Solar-Powered Autoclave Using Nanotechnology for the Resource-Constrained Setting Eric Kim 1 , Benjamin Lu 1 , Kevin Schell 2 , Mary Quinn 1 , Shea Thompson 1 , Catherine Flaitz 4 , Oara Neumann 3 , Z. Maria Oden 1 , Naomi Halas 3 1 Dept. of Bioengineering, 2 Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 3 Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005 4 Dental Branch, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030 Contact: [email protected] 400 600 800 1000 1200 A b so rb an ce (a.u .) W avelen g th (n m ) SEM Image of Gold Nanoshells Absorption Spectrum of Gold Nanoshells Hand Washing Chemica l Ethylene oxide Heat Autoclaving Dry heat Clean, Robust Power requiremen ts, Complexity Low power, Low temp Toxicity, Logistics Simple, Inexpensive Does not sterilize Advantag es Drawbac ks Current Solutions Our solution: Incorporate novel nanoparticle technology that efficiently absorbs solar energy to create a solar- powered autoclave Thermal Testing Results Fresnel lens focuses light on nanoparticle module. 1 Nanoparticle solution in module generates steam. 2 Steam moves from module into sterilizing vessel. 3 Condensed water returns to module via hydrostatic pressure. 5 Air purge system removes unsterile air from sterilizing vessel. 4 Pressure relief valve Pressure gauge Ball valves Check valve 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Time (min) Temperature (C) System Criteria Maintain 115 ̊-140 ̊C and 10-20 psi Require only solar energy for operation Redundant fail-safe operation Capacity for tools required daily in mobile medical or dental clinics Durable to transport on rugged terrain Operation cycle < 2 hours Achieved: Additional testing required: Ambient Temperature Bottom Thermocouple Goal Temperature • Rural dental and medical clinics require means of sterilizing tools for procedures. • No sterilization technique is optimized for resource- constrained settings. Limited power supply and funds Unreliable supply chain Untrained technicians • Improper sterilization results in increased risk of infection within developing countries. Goal: To develop a cost effective, robust, and portable solar-powered autoclave for resource-constrained settings

Problem This project was funded by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fox and Beyond Traditional Borders, which is made possible by a grant to Rice University from the

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Page 1: Problem This project was funded by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fox and Beyond Traditional Borders, which is made possible by a grant to Rice University from the

Problem

This project was funded by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fox and Beyond Traditional Borders, which is made possible by a grant to Rice University from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Undergraduate Science Education Program. The design work for this project was supported by the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen.

Implementation Plans

Acknowledgements

System Criteria

Nanoparticles Harness Solar Energy

Solar-Powered Autoclave Design

Prototype Testing• Absorb entire UV, visible, and NIR spectrum• Sustain temperatures 40% higher than

required for sterilization• 4x more efficient than solar panels• Appropriate for resource-constrained settings

No power requirement No noxious chemicals Reusable

• Create standalone, robust, modular sterilization system

Automate cycle Simplify user interface

• Distribute to dental and medical outreach groups that work in resource-constrained settings

Decrease risk of infection and disease transmission

Enable work in more remote areas

• Conducted safety testing Hydrostatic pressure testing Finite element analysis Thermal testing

• Conducted full-cycle thermal testing Achieved : 119 C and 12 psig ̊� Sterilization validated with thermally

resistant bacteriological indicators• Plan to conduct additional thermal testing

and durability testing.

Solar-Powered Autoclave Using Nanotechnology for the Resource-Constrained SettingEric Kim1, Benjamin Lu1, Kevin Schell2, Mary Quinn1, Shea Thompson1, Catherine Flaitz4, Oara Neumann3, Z. Maria Oden1, Naomi Halas3

1Dept. of Bioengineering, 2Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,3Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 770054Dental Branch, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030 Contact: [email protected]

400 600 800 1000 1200

Ab

so

rban

ce (

a.u

.)

Wavelength (nm)

SEM Image of Gold NanoshellsAbsorption Spectrum of Gold Nanoshells

HandWashing

ChemicalEthylene oxide

HeatAutoclavingDry heat

Clean,Robust

Power requirements,

Complexity

Low power,Low temp

Toxicity,Logistics

Simple,Inexpensive

Does not sterilize

Advantages Drawbacks

Current Solutions

Our solution: Incorporate novel nanoparticle technology that efficiently absorbs solar energy to create a solar-powered autoclave

Thermal Testing Results

Fresnel lens focuses light on nanoparticle module.

1Nanoparticle solution in module generates steam.

2

Steam moves from module into sterilizing vessel.

3Condensed water returns to module via hydrostatic pressure.

5

Air purge system removes unsterile air from sterilizing vessel.

4

Pressure relief valvePressure gauge

Ball valves

Check valve

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 2000

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Time (min)

Tem

pera

ture

(C)

System Criteria

• Maintain 115 -140 C and 10-20 psi ̊� ̊�• Require only solar energy for operation• Redundant fail-safe operation• Cost < $1500

• Capacity for tools required daily in mobile medical or dental clinics

• Durable to transport on rugged terrain• Operation cycle < 2 hours

Achieved: Additional testing required:

Ambient Temperature Bottom Thermocouple Goal Temperature

• Rural dental and medical clinics require means of sterilizing tools for procedures.

• No sterilization technique is optimized for resource-constrained settings.

Limited power supply and funds Unreliable supply chain Untrained technicians

• Improper sterilization results in increased risk of infection within developing countries.

Goal: To develop a cost effective, robust, and portable solar-powered autoclave for resource-constrained settings