Partnership case study: Joshua Pearce
Partner
Agrivoltaics Canada, re:3D, Food Security Structures Canada
Interested in...
- industry partnerships for research
- internships for my graduate students
Profile
My work focusses on the use of open source appropriate technology (OSAT) to find collaborative solutions to problems in sustainability and to reduce poverty. My research spans areas of engineering from solar photovoltaic technology to open hardware and distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) using RepRap 3-D printing. It also includes policy and economics.
Partnership highlight
Joshua Pearce and engineering student Anita So developed a new 3D-printed, open-source walker, which enables people to manufacture their own mobility device at a fraction of the cost of commercial models.
I am currently working with Agrivoltaics Canada, an industry partnership between solar developers and farmers to bring agrivoltaics to Canada. Agrivoltaics are the co-location of solar photovoltaics and agriculture, which radically improves land-use efficiency and adds new sources of renewable energy.
Another current partnership with Food Security Structures Canada aims to develop easy-to-assemble, scalable and energy-efficient vertical farming systems powered by the sun to control energy costs.
I have also worked with re:3D to develop a large-scale, open-source 3-D printer capable of manufacturing directly from shredded, post-consumer, recycled plastic waste.
