SettingsAppropriate technology
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material, which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun.
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material, which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun.
Air well (condenser)
An air well or aerial well is a structure or device that collects water by promoting the condensation of moisture from air.
An air well or aerial well is a structure or device that collects water by promoting the condensation of moisture from air.
Akhtar Hameed Khan
Akhtar Hameed Khan was a Pakistani development activist and social scientist credited for pioneering microcredit and microfinance initiatives, farmers' cooperatives, and rural training programme...
Akhtar Hameed Khan was a Pakistani development activist and social scientist credited for pioneering microcredit and microfinance initiatives, farmers' cooperatives, and rural training programme...
Annualized geo solar
Annualized Geo-Solar enables passive solar heating in even cold, foggy north temperate areas.
Annualized Geo-Solar enables passive solar heating in even cold, foggy north temperate areas.
Appropedia
Appropedia is a wiki website for collaborative solutions in sustainability, poverty reduction and international development, with a particular focus on appropriate technology.
Appropedia is a wiki website for collaborative solutions in sustainability, poverty reduction and international development, with a particular focus on appropriate technology.
Appropriate technology
Appropriate technology is an ideological movement (and its manifestations) originally articulated as "intermediate technology" by the economist Dr. Ernst Friedrich "Fritz" Schumacher in his infl...
Appropriate technology is an ideological movement (and its manifestations) originally articulated as "intermediate technology" by the economist Dr. Ernst Friedrich "Fritz" Schumacher in his infl...
Bicycle
A bicycle, often called a bike, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other.
A bicycle, often called a bike, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other.
BiPu
BIPU® (Bioremediation Infield Personnel Unit) is a sanitation method suitable for disaster relief and for temporary or isolated locations.
BIPU® (Bioremediation Infield Personnel Unit) is a sanitation method suitable for disaster relief and for temporary or isolated locations.
Briquette
A briquette (or briquet) is a block of flammable matter used as fuel to start and maintain a fire.
A briquette (or briquet) is a block of flammable matter used as fuel to start and maintain a fire.
Ceramic water filter
Ceramic water filters are an inexpensive and effective type of water filter, that rely on the small pore size of ceramic material to filter dirt, debris, and bacteria out of water.
Ceramic water filters are an inexpensive and effective type of water filter, that rely on the small pore size of ceramic material to filter dirt, debris, and bacteria out of water.
Classmate PC
The Classmate PC, formerly known as Eduwise, is Intel's entry into the market for low-cost personal computers for children in the developing world.
The Classmate PC, formerly known as Eduwise, is Intel's entry into the market for low-cost personal computers for children in the developing world.
Clay pot filter
The clay pot filter purifies water by passing it through the pores of a ceramic which has been fired in an open dung fire.
The clay pot filter purifies water by passing it through the pores of a ceramic which has been fired in an open dung fire.
Cloth filter
Developed for use in Bangladesh, the cloth filter is a simple and cost-effective appropriate technology method for reducing the contamination of drinking water.
Developed for use in Bangladesh, the cloth filter is a simple and cost-effective appropriate technology method for reducing the contamination of drinking water.
Cob (material)
Cob or cobb or clom (in Wales) is a building material consisting of clay, sand, straw, water, and earth, similar to adobe.
Cob or cobb or clom (in Wales) is a building material consisting of clay, sand, straw, water, and earth, similar to adobe.
Coil pump
A coil pump is a low lift pump which is composed of a tube, shaped as a coil and mounted on a rotating axle powered by an engine or an animal capable of turning the axle around rapidly.
A coil pump is a low lift pump which is composed of a tube, shaped as a coil and mounted on a rotating axle powered by an engine or an animal capable of turning the axle around rapidly.
Composting toilet
A composting toilet is a dry toilet that uses a predominantly aerobic processing system that treats excreta, typically with no water or small volumes of flush water, via composting or managed ae...
A composting toilet is a dry toilet that uses a predominantly aerobic processing system that treats excreta, typically with no water or small volumes of flush water, via composting or managed ae...
Compressed earth block
Compressed Earth Block often referred to simply as CEB, is a type of manufactured construction material formed in a mechanical press that forms an appropriate mix of dirt, non-expansive cl...
Compressed Earth Block often referred to simply as CEB, is a type of manufactured construction material formed in a mechanical press that forms an appropriate mix of dirt, non-expansive cl...
Cook stove
In cooking, a cook stove is a heated by burning wood, charcoal, animal dung or crop residue.
In cooking, a cook stove is a heated by burning wood, charcoal, animal dung or crop residue.
Coolgardie safe
The Coolgardie Safe is a low-tech refrigeration unit which uses the heat transfer which occurs during evaporation of water.
The Coolgardie Safe is a low-tech refrigeration unit which uses the heat transfer which occurs during evaporation of water.
Dew pond
A dew pond is an artificial pond usually sited on the top of a hill, intended for watering livestock.
A dew pond is an artificial pond usually sited on the top of a hill, intended for watering livestock.
Digital Textbook
The Digital Textbook program was announced by the Education Ministry of South Korea on March 8, 2007.
The Digital Textbook program was announced by the Education Ministry of South Korea on March 8, 2007.
Digital textbook
The digital textbook program was announced by the Education Ministry of South Korea on March 8, 2007.
The digital textbook program was announced by the Education Ministry of South Korea on March 8, 2007.
Dutch brick
Dutch bricks are building-blocks made, not of brick, but of a mixture of concrete, sand and soil.
Dutch bricks are building-blocks made, not of brick, but of a mixture of concrete, sand and soil.
Earthbag construction
Earthbag construction is an inexpensive method to create structures which are both strong and can be quickly built.
Earthbag construction is an inexpensive method to create structures which are both strong and can be quickly built.
Embrace (incubator)
The cost of the Embrace incubator is less than one percent of the traditional designs.
The cost of the Embrace incubator is less than one percent of the traditional designs.
Engineering for Change
Engineering for Change (E4C) is an online platform and international community of engineers, scientists, non-governmental organizations, local community advocates and other innovators working to...
Engineering for Change (E4C) is an online platform and international community of engineers, scientists, non-governmental organizations, local community advocates and other innovators working to...
Fog collection
Fog collection refers to the collection of water from fog using large pieces of vera trough below the canvas, known as a fog fence.
Fog collection refers to the collection of water from fog using large pieces of vera trough below the canvas, known as a fog fence.
Fonio husking machine
A Fonio husking machine was invented by Sanoussi Diakité, a Senegalese mechanical engineer.
A Fonio husking machine was invented by Sanoussi Diakité, a Senegalese mechanical engineer.
Freight bicycle
Freight bicycles, carrier cycles, freight tricycles, cargo bikes, or bakfietsen, are human powered vehicles designed and constructed specifically for transporting large loads.
Freight bicycles, carrier cycles, freight tricycles, cargo bikes, or bakfietsen, are human powered vehicles designed and constructed specifically for transporting large loads.
Gemini Somatics
Gemini Somatics is a biotechnology company located in Riverside, Oregon, working primarily in the field of synthetic somatology, which is an emerging science developed by Dr Edward Darmos.
Gemini Somatics is a biotechnology company located in Riverside, Oregon, working primarily in the field of synthetic somatology, which is an emerging science developed by Dr Edward Darmos.
Gil Friend
Gil Friend is a business consultant, author, system ecologist, and strategist in sustainable business, clean technology, and communications.
Gil Friend is a business consultant, author, system ecologist, and strategist in sustainable business, clean technology, and communications.
Hand pump
Hand pumps are manually operated pumps; they use human power and mechanical advantage to move fluids or air from one place to another.
Hand pumps are manually operated pumps; they use human power and mechanical advantage to move fluids or air from one place to another.
Hempcrete
Hempcrete is a mixture of hemp hurds and lime used as a material for construction and insulation.
Hempcrete is a mixture of hemp hurds and lime used as a material for construction and insulation.
Hippo water roller
The Hippo water roller, or Hippo roller, is a device for carrying water more easily and efficiently than traditional methods, particularly in the developing world.
The Hippo water roller, or Hippo roller, is a device for carrying water more easily and efficiently than traditional methods, particularly in the developing world.
Honey bucket
A honey bucket is a bucket that is used as a toilet in communities that lack a water-borne sewage system.
A honey bucket is a bucket that is used as a toilet in communities that lack a water-borne sewage system.
Latrine
A latrine is a communal facility containing one or more toilets which may be simple pit toilets or in the case of the United States Armed Forces any toilet including modern flush toilets.
A latrine is a communal facility containing one or more toilets which may be simple pit toilets or in the case of the United States Armed Forces any toilet including modern flush toilets.
Lava filter
A lava filter is a biological filter that uses lavastone pebbles as support material on which microorganisms can grow in a thin biofilm.
A lava filter is a biological filter that uses lavastone pebbles as support material on which microorganisms can grow in a thin biofilm.
Lemote
Jiangsu Lemote Tech Co., Ltd or Lemote is a computer company established as a joint venture between the Jiangsu Menglan Group and the Chinese Institute of Computing Technology, involved in...
Jiangsu Lemote Tech Co., Ltd or Lemote is a computer company established as a joint venture between the Jiangsu Menglan Group and the Chinese Institute of Computing Technology, involved in...
LifeStraw
LifeStraw is a water filter designed to be used by one person to filter water so that they may safely drink it.
LifeStraw is a water filter designed to be used by one person to filter water so that they may safely drink it.
Light clay
Light clay is a natural building material used to infill between a wooden frame in a timber framed building using a combination of clay and straw, woodchips or some other lighter material.
Light clay is a natural building material used to infill between a wooden frame in a timber framed building using a combination of clay and straw, woodchips or some other lighter material.
mHealth
mHealth is a term used for the practice of medicine and public health, supported by mobile devices.
mHealth is a term used for the practice of medicine and public health, supported by mobile devices.
Micro hydro
Micro hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power installations that typically produce up to 100 kW of electricity.
Micro hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power installations that typically produce up to 100 kW of electricity.
Mudbrick
A mudbrick is a firefree brick, made of a mixture of clay, mud, sand, and water mixed with a binding material such as rice husks or straw.
A mudbrick is a firefree brick, made of a mixture of clay, mud, sand, and water mixed with a binding material such as rice husks or straw.
Netbook
Netbook is an informal classification for a variety of small, low-power mobile personal computers used primarily for e-mail and Internet access, that are being becoming less common because of ...
Netbook is an informal classification for a variety of small, low-power mobile personal computers used primarily for e-mail and Internet access, that are being becoming less common because of ...
Nettop
Nettop is the generic name for a very small form factor, inexpensive, low-power desktop computer designed for basic tasks such as Internet surfing, accessing web-based applications, document pro...
Nettop is the generic name for a very small form factor, inexpensive, low-power desktop computer designed for basic tasks such as Internet surfing, accessing web-based applications, document pro...
Open Source Appropriate Technology
Open-source-appropriate technology refers to technologies that are designed in the same fashion as free and open-source software.
Open-source-appropriate technology refers to technologies that are designed in the same fashion as free and open-source software.
Open-source appropriate technology
Open-source appropriate technology refers to technologies that are designed in the same fashion as free and open-source software.
Open-source appropriate technology refers to technologies that are designed in the same fashion as free and open-source software.
Orangi Pilot Project
The Orangi Pilot Project refers to a socially innovative project carried out in 1980s in the squatter areas of Orangi Town, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
The Orangi Pilot Project refers to a socially innovative project carried out in 1980s in the squatter areas of Orangi Town, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Outhouse
An outhouse is a small structure separate from a main building which often contained a simple toilet (for example a pit toilet or pail closet) and may possibly also be used for housing animals a...
An outhouse is a small structure separate from a main building which often contained a simple toilet (for example a pit toilet or pail closet) and may possibly also be used for housing animals a...
Outline of bicycles
A bicycle, also known as a bike, push bike or cycle, is a pedal-driven, human-powered, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other.
A bicycle, also known as a bike, push bike or cycle, is a pedal-driven, human-powered, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other.
Papyrus sanitary pad
A papyrus sanitary pad, or Makapad, is a sanitary napkin made from papyrus, a natural material.
A papyrus sanitary pad, or Makapad, is a sanitary napkin made from papyrus, a natural material.
Personal Internet Communicator
The Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) is a consumer device released by AMD in 2004 to allow people in emerging countries like India, Uruguay and the Caribbean access to the internet.
The Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) is a consumer device released by AMD in 2004 to allow people in emerging countries like India, Uruguay and the Caribbean access to the internet.
Phase-change incubator
The phase-change incubator is a low-cost, low-maintenance incubator to help test for microorganisms in water supplies.
The phase-change incubator is a low-cost, low-maintenance incubator to help test for microorganisms in water supplies.
Pico hydro
Pico hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power generation of under 5 kW. It is useful in small, remote communities that require only a small amount of electricity - for example, to powe...
Pico hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power generation of under 5 kW. It is useful in small, remote communities that require only a small amount of electricity - for example, to powe...
PlayPower
PLAYPOWER is a non-profit organization designed to create free educational computer software for low income families in India and other developing countries.
PLAYPOWER is a non-profit organization designed to create free educational computer software for low income families in India and other developing countries.
Pot-in-pot refrigerator
The pot-in-pot refrigerator or zeer is a refrigeration device which keeps food cool without electricity by using evaporative cooling.
The pot-in-pot refrigerator or zeer is a refrigeration device which keeps food cool without electricity by using evaporative cooling.
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer.
Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer.
Rainwater tank
A rainwater tank is a water tank used to collect and store rain water runoff, typically from rooftops via rain gutters.
A rainwater tank is a water tank used to collect and store rain water runoff, typically from rooftops via rain gutters.
Rammed earth
Rammed earth, also known as taipa (Portuguese), tapial (Spanish), and pisé (de terre) (French), is a technique for building walls using the raw materials of eart...
Rammed earth, also known as taipa (Portuguese), tapial (Spanish), and pisé (de terre) (French), is a technique for building walls using the raw materials of eart...
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable.
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable.
Roughing filter
Roughing filters provide pretreatment for turbid water or simple, low maintenance treatment when high water quality is not needed.
Roughing filters provide pretreatment for turbid water or simple, low maintenance treatment when high water quality is not needed.
Roundabout PlayPump
The PlayPump Water System uses the energy of children at play to operate a water pump.
The PlayPump Water System uses the energy of children at play to operate a water pump.
Safe bottle lamp
The Safe bottle lamp, called sudeepa or sudipa for good lamp, is a safer kerosene lamp designed by Wijaya Godakumbura of Sri Lanka.
The Safe bottle lamp, called sudeepa or sudipa for good lamp, is a safer kerosene lamp designed by Wijaya Godakumbura of Sri Lanka.
Safe household water storage
Safe household water storage is a critical component of a Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage system being promoted by the World Health Organization worldwide in areas that do not have pi...
Safe household water storage is a critical component of a Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage system being promoted by the World Health Organization worldwide in areas that do not have pi...
Scannebago
The Scannebago concept can be attributed to Emily Gore, currently Associate Dean of Libraries for Digital Scholarship & Technology Services at Florida State University.
The Scannebago concept can be attributed to Emily Gore, currently Associate Dean of Libraries for Digital Scholarship & Technology Services at Florida State University.
Screenless hammer mill
The screenless hammer mill, like regular hammer mills, is used to pound grain.
The screenless hammer mill, like regular hammer mills, is used to pound grain.
Simputer
The Simputer is a self-contained, open hardware linux-based handheld computer, first released in 2002.
The Simputer is a self-contained, open hardware linux-based handheld computer, first released in 2002.
Single-wire earth return
Single wire earth return (SWER) or single wire ground return is a single-wire transmission line for supplying single-phase electrical power from an electrical grid to remote areas at low cost.
Single wire earth return (SWER) or single wire ground return is a single-wire transmission line for supplying single-phase electrical power from an electrical grid to remote areas at low cost.
Slow sand filter
Slow sand filters are used in water purification for treating raw water to produce a potable product.
Slow sand filters are used in water purification for treating raw water to produce a potable product.
Sludging
Sludging is a very simple well drilling method developed in ancient India but still used extensively in developing countries, where capital is scarce, but manpower abundant.
Sludging is a very simple well drilling method developed in ancient India but still used extensively in developing countries, where capital is scarce, but manpower abundant.
Solar chimney
A solar chimney — often referred to as a thermal chimney — is a way of improving the natural ventilation of buildings by using convection of air heated by passive solar energy.
A solar chimney — often referred to as a thermal chimney — is a way of improving the natural ventilation of buildings by using convection of air heated by passive solar energy.
Solar Powered Desalination Unit
A Solar Powered Desalination Unit is a device that is capable of harnessing energy from the sun to produce portable water from saline water through direct or indirect methods.
A Solar Powered Desalination Unit is a device that is capable of harnessing energy from the sun to produce portable water from saline water through direct or indirect methods.
Solar water disinfection
Solar water disinfection, also known as SODIS is a method of disinfecting water using only sunlight and plastic PET bottles.
Solar water disinfection, also known as SODIS is a method of disinfecting water using only sunlight and plastic PET bottles.
Spiral pump
A spiral pump is a low lift pump which is composed of a long piece of metal plating, which is wound into a coil and sealed at the top and back extremities so as to resemble a cylinder.
A spiral pump is a low lift pump which is composed of a long piece of metal plating, which is wound into a coil and sealed at the top and back extremities so as to resemble a cylinder.
Spring box
A springbox is a structure engineered to make optimum use of a natural spring.
A springbox is a structure engineered to make optimum use of a natural spring.
Strychnos
Strychnos is a genus of flowering plants, belonging to family Loganiaceae (sometimes Strychnaceae).
Strychnos is a genus of flowering plants, belonging to family Loganiaceae (sometimes Strychnaceae).
Super Adobe
Superadobe is a form of earthbag construction that was developed by Iranian architect Nader Khalili.
Superadobe is a form of earthbag construction that was developed by Iranian architect Nader Khalili.
Synthetic biology
Synthetic biology is a new area of biological research and technology that combines science and engineering.
Synthetic biology is a new area of biological research and technology that combines science and engineering.
The Clean Tech Revolution
The Clean Tech Revolution is a 2007 book by Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder, who say that commercializing clean technologies is a profitable enterprise that is moving steadily into mainstream b...
The Clean Tech Revolution is a 2007 book by Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder, who say that commercializing clean technologies is a profitable enterprise that is moving steadily into mainstream b...
The Liberator (CEB press)
The Liberator is a high performance, open source, compressed earth block press., developed by Open Source Ecology.
The Liberator is a high performance, open source, compressed earth block press., developed by Open Source Ecology.
Tianhua GX-1C
The Sinomanic Tianhua GX-1C is a specially tailored subnotebook for primary and secondary school students in mainland China.
The Sinomanic Tianhua GX-1C is a specially tailored subnotebook for primary and secondary school students in mainland China.
Time switch
A time switch is a timer that plugs into an electric socket, between the socket itself and a power plug.
A time switch is a timer that plugs into an electric socket, between the socket itself and a power plug.
Treadle pump
A treadle pump is a human-powered suction pump that sits on top of a well and is used for irrigation.
A treadle pump is a human-powered suction pump that sits on top of a well and is used for irrigation.
Universal Nut Sheller
The Universal Nut Sheller is a simple hand-operated machine based on a Bulgarian Peanut sheller, capable of shelling of raw, sun-dried peanuts per hour.
The Universal Nut Sheller is a simple hand-operated machine based on a Bulgarian Peanut sheller, capable of shelling of raw, sun-dried peanuts per hour.
VIA pc-1 Initiative
The VIA pc-1 Initiative is a project of VIA Technologies, established in January 2005, to help bridge the digital divide by developing information and communication technology systems to benefit...
The VIA pc-1 Initiative is a project of VIA Technologies, established in January 2005, to help bridge the digital divide by developing information and communication technology systems to benefit...
Village-level operation and maintenance (pumps)
Village-level operation and maintenance is an unofficial designation given to hand pumps that requires minimal maintenance that can be done "at the village level" or without the need for a profe...
Village-level operation and maintenance is an unofficial designation given to hand pumps that requires minimal maintenance that can be done "at the village level" or without the need for a profe...
Water timer
A water timer is a electromechanical device that, when placed on a water line, increases or decreases the water flow through the use of an embedded (solenoid) valve.
A water timer is a electromechanical device that, when placed on a water line, increases or decreases the water flow through the use of an embedded (solenoid) valve.
Waterladder pump
A waterladder pump, water ladder, dragon spine, dragon wheel or rahad is a low lift pump which is composed of sprockets that moves a chain with paddles over a trough.
A waterladder pump, water ladder, dragon spine, dragon wheel or rahad is a low lift pump which is composed of sprockets that moves a chain with paddles over a trough.
Whirlwind wheelchair
The Whirlwind wheelchair is a wheelchair designed to be made in developing countries using local resources, in a sustainable development effort.
The Whirlwind wheelchair is a wheelchair designed to be made in developing countries using local resources, in a sustainable development effort.
Whole Earth Catalog
The Whole Earth Catalog was an American counterculture catalog published by Stewart Brand between 1968 and 1972, and occasionally thereafter, until 1998.
The Whole Earth Catalog was an American counterculture catalog published by Stewart Brand between 1968 and 1972, and occasionally thereafter, until 1998.
Windcatcher
A windcatcher is a traditional Persian architectural element to create natural ventilation in buildings.
A windcatcher is a traditional Persian architectural element to create natural ventilation in buildings.
Windup radio
A windup radio or clockwork radio is a radio that is powered by human muscle power rather than batteries or the electrical grid.
A windup radio or clockwork radio is a radio that is powered by human muscle power rather than batteries or the electrical grid.
World Habitat Awards
The World Habitat Awards were established in 1985 by the Building and Social Housing Foundation as part of its contribution to the United Nations' International Year of Shelter for the Homeles...
The World Habitat Awards were established in 1985 by the Building and Social Housing Foundation as part of its contribution to the United Nations' International Year of Shelter for the Homeles...
Zero-emissions vehicle
A zero-emissions vehicle, or ZEV, is a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power.
A zero-emissions vehicle, or ZEV, is a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power.