Comments for The Appropriate Technology Collaborative http://apptechdesign.org The Appropriate Technology Collaborative Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:18:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Bamboo Reinforced Concrete by Charlie Rendall http://apptechdesign.org/technologies/bamboo-reinforced-concrete/comment-page-1/#comment-7174 Charlie Rendall Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:18:44 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=183#comment-7174 They've tried spraying the bamboo with bitumen/tar/asphalt and then sand, which increases both the longevity of the bamboo and the adhesion between the bamboo and the concrete. Unfortunately it costs about the same to do this as to buy steel, so it wasn't ever very popular, even though bamboo's renewable and steel is not. Don't forget that steel eventually rusts in cement too, especially in rural areas where sand often isn't quality controlled for its silt and clay content. Rot can also be prevented to some extent using borax and boric acid then penta (a cheap wood preservative that's banned in the US because it was overused for many years and so contaminated the groundwater, however I can't see that happening inside reinforced concrete...). Burnt motor oil is a good cheap recyclable alternative we treat bamboo with here, although that leaves the adhesion problem... Part of the problem is also that the bamboo swells when the cement is poured and then contracts when it dries, so the bond isn't so great without the bitumen. Hope this helps. See the book Bamboo: The Gift of the Gods for more info on these techniques, They’ve tried spraying the bamboo with bitumen/tar/asphalt and then sand, which increases both the longevity of the bamboo and the adhesion between the bamboo and the concrete.

Unfortunately it costs about the same to do this as to buy steel, so it wasn’t ever very popular, even though bamboo’s renewable and steel is not.

Don’t forget that steel eventually rusts in cement too, especially in rural areas where sand often isn’t quality controlled for its silt and clay content.

Rot can also be prevented to some extent using borax and boric acid then penta (a cheap wood preservative that’s banned in the US because it was overused for many years and so contaminated the groundwater, however I can’t see that happening inside reinforced concrete…). Burnt motor oil is a good cheap recyclable alternative we treat bamboo with here, although that leaves the adhesion problem…

Part of the problem is also that the bamboo swells when the cement is poured and then contracts when it dries, so the bond isn’t so great without the bitumen.

Hope this helps. See the book Bamboo: The Gift of the Gods for more info on these techniques,

]]> Comment on Design Library by marc http://apptechdesign.org/technologies/comment-page-1/#comment-7160 marc Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:50:45 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=3#comment-7160 Whom do I contact to learn about your Nickel-Iron battery work? Whom do I contact to learn about your Nickel-Iron battery work?

]]> Comment on Design Library by Peter Allen Sharp http://apptechdesign.org/technologies/comment-page-1/#comment-6554 Peter Allen Sharp Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:19:56 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=3#comment-6554 I'm a craftsman/inventor. I'm working on some advanced, very versatile, appropriate technology designs for wind pumps and wind turbines based on my passive, Sharp Cyclogiro VAWT. I need to work with a group that has engineering expertise and a test site. My own skills and resources are too limited. These new concepts are quite promising. Please let me know if you would like to know about them. Peter I’m a craftsman/inventor. I’m working on some advanced, very versatile, appropriate technology designs for wind pumps and wind turbines based on my passive, Sharp Cyclogiro VAWT. I need to work with a group that has engineering expertise and a test site. My own skills and resources are too limited. These new concepts are quite promising.

Please let me know if you would like to know about them.

Peter

]]> Comment on Women Wind Weavers of Guatemala by jb http://apptechdesign.org/women-wind-weavers-of-guatemala/comment-page-1/#comment-6388 jb Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:59:13 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=450#comment-6388 Guillermo- Hello - contact me at: john (at) apptechdesign (dot) org We should talk. Thank you for your interest in ATC! - John Barrie Guillermo-

Hello – contact me at: john (at) apptechdesign (dot) org

We should talk.

Thank you for your interest in ATC!

- John Barrie

]]> Comment on About Us by Ben barnard http://apptechdesign.org/atc-guiding-principles/comment-page-1/#comment-6365 Ben barnard Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:40:47 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=19#comment-6365 Hi guys and girls, I'm starting an organisation probably non profit or charity or NGO whatever is appropriate to create community workshops (making things) in the low income/povey areas of the world. We will work wi the locals making repairing whatever is needed. I'm guessing we may run into similar issues that you are tackling although our focus will be simple manufacturing using waste/recycled materials locally sourced and will start with furnitu and home building. The scope is huge and I'm looking for all info on what these communities are facing and how people are already solving the issues with them. So there may be potential for a link up between us doing something ?? If you can think of anything useful we can do together or relevant info to share please drop me a line. I aim to have the first workshop running in 1 year. Probably in china because that's where I currently am, but spreading everywhere we are needed. Great work guys, keep it going, let's make a difference Deep regards Ben Hi guys and girls, I’m starting an organisation probably non profit or charity or NGO whatever is appropriate to create community workshops (making things) in the low income/povey areas of the world. We will work wi the locals making repairing whatever is needed.
I’m guessing we may run into similar issues that you are tackling although our focus will be simple manufacturing using waste/recycled materials locally sourced and will start with furnitu and home building.
The scope is huge and I’m looking for all info on what these communities are facing and how people are already solving the issues with them. So there may be potential for a link up between us doing something ??
If you can think of anything useful we can do together or relevant info to share please drop me a line. I aim to have the first workshop running in 1 year. Probably in china because that’s where I currently am, but spreading everywhere we are needed.
Great work guys, keep it going, let’s make a difference
Deep regards
Ben

]]> Comment on Solar/ LED Lighting by Hassan http://apptechdesign.org/technologies/solar-led-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-6293 Hassan Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:19:24 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=45#comment-6293 how do i get in touch? there are no contact details. hassan_ashfaq@hotmail.com how do i get in touch? there are no contact details.
hassan_ashfaq@hotmail.com

]]> Comment on Press by Robert Miller http://apptechdesign.org/press/comment-page-1/#comment-6233 Robert Miller Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:15:06 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=17#comment-6233 To whom it may concern, I am an Electronics Tech/Engineer with 3 years experience . Currently I'm looking for some volunteer work. Please feel free to contact me on my cell: (904)405-7368 or my email: zentechlabs@yahoo.com I would greatly appreciate any opportunity to help in any way I can. Thank you and god bless Rob To whom it may concern,

I am an Electronics Tech/Engineer with 3 years experience . Currently I’m looking for some volunteer work. Please feel free to contact me on my cell: (904)405-7368 or my email: zentechlabs@yahoo.com

I would greatly appreciate any opportunity to help in any way I can.

Thank you and god bless

Rob

]]> Comment on Solar/ LED Lighting by Hassan http://apptechdesign.org/technologies/solar-led-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-6215 Hassan Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:58:41 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=45#comment-6215 I am from Pakistan where there is a severe shortage of electricity. The governement has run out of ideas to counter this energy deficit. As a result severe load shedding has affected the life of common man. Your technology can be used here to help the people of Pakistan. Please send me details regarding your solar/led lighting and other enegy efficiency projects. Thanks I am from Pakistan where there is a severe shortage of electricity. The governement has run out of ideas to counter this energy deficit. As a result severe load shedding has affected the life of common man. Your technology can be used here to help the people of Pakistan. Please send me details regarding your solar/led lighting and other enegy efficiency projects.
Thanks

]]> Comment on Volunteer by jb http://apptechdesign.org/volunteer/comment-page-1/#comment-6117 jb Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:56:50 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=179#comment-6117 Hi Jamie- You can use our Contact Form or direct email: info (at) apptechdesign (dot) org Thanks!! Hi Jamie-

You can use our Contact Form or direct email: info (at) apptechdesign (dot) org

Thanks!!

]]> Comment on Design and Prototype of Solar Replacement for Kerosene Lamps by Mohan Lal http://apptechdesign.org/design-and-prototype-of-solar-replacement-for-kerosene-lamps/comment-page-1/#comment-5975 Mohan Lal Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:57:50 +0000 http://apptechdesign.org/?page_id=573#comment-5975 Hi, I would like to receive the process for making a simple solar light for domestic house hold. I am trying to move away from power company supplied power as it costs heaps in electricity Hi,
I would like to receive the process for making a simple solar light for domestic house hold. I am trying to move away from power company supplied power as it costs heaps in electricity

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