Writer: Vienne Lung

Do you still remember the invention- solar-powered grills that we introduced previously?  Recently, Professor David Wilson and a group of students from MIT have made major progress by inventing a solar grill which can be used at nighttime. The principle behinds this innovation is to melt down a container of lithium nitrate with a Fresnel lens under the sun. The lithium nitrate will then act as a battery to store the thermal energy as latent heat, release the heat energy and cook the food through convection. With this new technology, thermal energy can be stored for up to 25 hours at a temperature above 450°C, making solar-powered grills possible at nighttime.

Reducing the use of traditional fuels and the cost to operate, solar-powered grills that are usable at nighttime have been introduced to many developing countries around the globe by NGOs as a sustainable approach to improve the lives of indigenous people. Wilson’s idea to improve the design of existing solar-powered grills are also ascribed to his stay in Nigeria, where he experienced the environmental and social impact brought by firewood cooking. For instance, deforestation has been caused and the worsened air quality has also given rise to respiratory disease. 

With the advancement of technology which the grills can be used at any time, it is hoped that not only will they be sold in markets in more-developed countries to provide a more environmentally friendly cooking method, but also distributed to less-developed countries as a mean to improve locals' lives.

Reference:
Meinhold, B. (26 June, 2016). Wilson Solar Grill Stores the Sun’s Energy for Nighttime Fuel-Free Grilling. INHABITAT

<< Previous Story                    Next Story >>