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USF Technology Transfers Solar-Powered Water Technology to South Africa

By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing

Hundreds of elementary school students in South Africa now have access to clean water and sanitation thanks to the commercialization of technology built at the University of South Florida (USF). The USF Technology Transfer Office signed a licensing agreement in 2020, allowing WEC Projects to manufacture the solar-powered NEWgenerator, an off-grid sanitation technology that recovers nutrients, energy, and water from human wastewater.

The Impact on a Rural Community

Inventor Daniel Yeh, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at USF, and his team recently traveled to a rural community called Bizana in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa to launch the NEWgenerator at a local school. Previously, the school relied on pit latrines, had no electricity due to budget constraints, and depended solely on rainwater for hydration. The NEWgenerator extends the school’s limited water supply by continuously recycling dirty water into clean water, making a direct improvement in the lives of the school children.

The journey to Khanyisani Primary School was not easy. Yeh and his team had to take a flight from Johannesburg to Durban, followed by a 3 ›-hour car ride on unpaved roads, with the final 30 minutes spent driving through tall grass.

Addressing a Water Shortage

The region where Khanyisani Primary School is located suffers from a serious water shortage due to its remote location. Ntwanano Mandlazi, project manager at WEC Projects, emphasizes that the NEWgenerator is an important step forward in delivering proper sanitation to remote and underserved areas. It replaces dangerous pit and chemical toilets and is an effective solution for areas with water scarcity, making it ideal for deployment across Africa in various applications.

A Technology Supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The NEWgenerator was first piloted in India in 2016 and received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through its Reinvented Toilet program. The $2 million grant helped address infrastructure problems caused by rapid, unplanned urbanization worldwide. The success of the pilot in India led to the installation of various versions of the NEWgenerator in different regions of South Africa.

Ongoing Development and Expansion

The NEWgenerator has undergone modifications to reduce costs and cater to local customer requirements. WEC Projects can remotely monitor the unit from Johannesburg and provide repairs when needed. More units will soon be installed across South Africa, including water-stressed areas like Cape Town. Additionally, Yeh has a licensing agreement with Elefo Biotech in India and is collaborating with industries and agencies in the U.S. to introduce the NEWgenerator to American users. The team is currently exploring partnerships with disadvantaged communities in the U.S., aiming to provide safe sanitation solutions for challenging environments.

AI legalese decoder: Simplifying the Licensing Agreement Process

The licensing agreement signed by USF and WEC Projects plays a crucial role in bringing the NEWgenerator to communities in need. To simplify the complex legal language and ensure a smooth transfer of technology, the AI legalese decoder can be utilized. This AI-powered tool translates legal jargon into plain language, making it easier for parties involved to understand and negotiate the terms of the agreement. The AI legalese decoder enhances transparency and efficiency in licensing agreements, facilitating the adoption of life-changing technologies like the NEWgenerator.

The full interview with Ntwanano Mandlazi about the impact of the NEWgenerator can be found here.

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