University Research

Decarbonization Avenue University research @ CLIMAX

System can sterilize medical tools using solar heat

Objective/theme

A device used to sterilize medical tools in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ and dentists’ offices could provide pressurized steam to run autoclaves without the need for electricity in off-grid areas.

Process & benefits

Researchers at MIT and IIT has come up with a way to generate the needed steam passively, using just the power of sunlight, with no need for fuel or electricity.

The device, which would require a solar collector of about 2 square meters (or yards) to power a typical small-clinic autoclave, could maintain safe, sterile equipment at low cost in remote locations.