ECE 5900:Joint Villanova/UNI course:Developing Technologies for Rural Nicaraguans

P. Singh, E. Dougherty and J. Klingler Villanova University, Villanova, PA USA

andMaria Virginia Moncada

Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Managua, Nicaragua

1

2014 ASEE International Forum, June 14, 2014

Course Schedule

Date Topic

Jan. 14 Introduction/Course Overview/ Nicaragua: Geography, Culture, History and Socio-economic Analysis

21 Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Sectors in Nicaragua

28 Introduction to EntrepreneurshipFeb. 4 Current sustainable development programs in Nicaragua 11 Current sustainable development programs in Nicaragua (cont’d) 18 The design process 25 Customer needs/identification/interviewing processMarch 4 SPRING BREAK in Nicaragua 11 Project proposal development 18 Project proposal development (cont’d) 25 Project proposal development (cont’d)April 1 Project proposal development (cont’d) 8 Project proposal development (cont’d) 15 Draft Oral Presentation due 22 Final Oral Presentation 29 Final Written Proposal due 2

3

Geography

Pritpal Singh, Maria Moncada

Main Activities

Topic 1: Nicaragua: Geography, Culture, History and Socio-economic Analysis

4

Pritpal Singh, Maria Moncada

Electricity production 1992-2010 (Source:INE)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010

GW

h/ye

ar

63%

1%

10%

14%

8% 4%2010

Fuel Oil

Diesel

Biomass (bagasse)Hydro

Geothermal

Wind

Topic 2: Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Sectors in Nicaragua

Idea vs. Opportunity

What are these women doing?

Do you have any ideas that might help them?

Is there a problem?

Topic 3: Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Proyecto Bombeo Solar para riego por goteo.Lugar Departamento de Chontales.Tipo de proyecto Solar Fotovoltaico.Descripción Instalación de 28 sistemas de riego por goteo con

bomba accionada por energía solar. El área es aproximadamente de 1 acre y se obtienen producción de maíz, calala, papaya, tomate y otras hortalizas.

Topic 4: Current sustainable development programs in Nicaragua

Pritpal Singh, Maria Moncada 7

General Method User

Centered

UNDERSTAND

SYNTHESIZE

IDEATE

PROTOTYPE

TESTOBSERVE

Topic 5: The design process

8

SPRING BREAK IN NICARAGUA

9

Joint VU/UNI Final Projects Selected

Tele-health project (1VU, 2UNI)Solar Charge Controller (1VU, 1UNI)

Remote Internet Access for School (4VU, 2UNI)

Baby Incubator (3VU, 1UNI)

Next Semester

• ECE 4970/1 Senior Design Project Course• EGEN 4500 Sustainable Business Models

for Base of the Pyramid Customers

10

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support for this course development provided by a grant from the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA).

11