Joshua Pearce

Last updated

Joshua M. Pearce
Joshua Pearce.jpg
NationalityAmerican, Canadian
Alma mater The Pennsylvania State University
Known forsolar photovoltaics, open source hardware, distributed recycling and additive manufacturing, resilient food
Scientific career
Fields photovoltaics, open-source-appropriate technology, materials engineering, protocrystallinity, open-source hardware, electrical engineering
Institutions University of Western Ontario, Michigan Tech, Queen's University
Doctoral advisor Christopher R. Wronski
Website Appropedia User Page

Joshua M. Pearce is an academic engineer at Western University [1] known for his work on protocrystallinity, photovoltaic technology, agrivoltaics, open-source-appropriate technology, and open-source hardware including RepRap 3D printers and recyclebots.

Dr. Pearce received his Ph.D. at The Pennsylvania State University, where his work on protocrystallinity helped develop low-cost amorphous silicon solar photovoltaic technology. [2] His solar research and outreach [3] continues. [4] [5] For example, his research group published a levelized cost of electricity study [6] on solar energy showed solar electricity was economically competitive with fossil fuels over wide geographic regions. [7] [8] and showed the value of solar (VOS) often exceeds the net metering rate. [9] [10] He showed 1% of Canada's agricultural land converted to agrivoltaics would rid the national grid if carbon emissions while increasing food. [11] His research into BDRF modeling [12] of reflectors showed potential solar systems output increases of 30%. [13] His research supports solar canopies for parking lots, [14] [15] floatovoltaics and aquavoltaics. [16] In addition he promotes the DIY [17] and maker movements, [18] with the release of To Catch the Sun as open access. [19]

He is also a vocal advocate of an open-source approach to technical development. [20] For his work related to open-source nanotechnology, [21] Ars Technica compared him to American software freedom activist Richard Stallman. [22] He applied open-source 3-D printing and electronics to scientific equipment design, [23] where he has claimed both superior innovation and lower costs. [24] [25] Reviewing his book Open-Source Lab, 3-D Printing Industry wrote, "This is a manual that every scientist should read and it holds a message so powerful and disruptive that the Anarchist Cookbook is a fairy tale in comparison." [26] This work has extended to making frugal biomedical equipment and aids. [27] [28] [29]

His research has shown that printing household items with a RepRap is less costly [30] and better for the environment [31] than purchasing conventionally manufactured goods. Similarly, his group developed the recyclebot, a waste plastic extruder, which drops the cost of 3D printing filament from $35/kg to ten cents per kg while making recycling even more environmentally beneficial. [32] [33] He also helped develop the concept of fused granular fabrication (FGF) where shredded waste plastic is directly converted to products. [34]

In 2013 his group released an open-source 3D printer capable of printing in steel, which cost less than US$1,200. [35] [36] in order to encourage more rapid technological development according to Scientific American . [37] This cost reduction was significant as the New York Times reported commercial metal printers at the time cost over US$500,000. [38]

He further developed inexpensive methods such as SODIS to disinfect drinking water in the developing world, using sunlight, water bottles, and salt. [39] He has called for corporate death penalties for industries that kill more people than they employ. [40] Recently, the MIT Sloan Management Review reported that Dr. Pearce has combined many of his research areas developing solar powered 3-D printers to drive sustainable development. [41]

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photovoltaics</span> Method to produce electricity from solar radiation

Photovoltaics (PV) is the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon studied in physics, photochemistry, and electrochemistry. The photovoltaic effect is commercially used for electricity generation and as photosensors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3D printing</span> Additive process used to make a three-dimensional object

3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control, with the material being added together, typically layer by layer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Open-source hardware</span> Hardware from the open-design movement

Open-source hardware consists of physical artifacts of technology designed and offered by the open-design movement. Both free and open-source software (FOSS) and open-source hardware are created by this open-source culture movement and apply a like concept to a variety of components. It is sometimes, thus, referred to as FOSH. The term usually means that information about the hardware is easily discerned so that others can make it – coupling it closely to the maker movement. Hardware design, in addition to the software that drives the hardware, are all released under free/libre terms. The original sharer gains feedback and potentially improvements on the design from the FOSH community. There is now significant evidence that such sharing can drive a high return on investment for the scientific community.

In the 19th century, it was observed that the sunlight striking certain materials generates detectable electric current – the photoelectric effect. This discovery laid the foundation for solar cells. Solar cells have gone on to be used in many applications. They have historically been used in situations where electrical power from the grid was unavailable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RepRap</span> Self-replicating 3D printer initiative

RepRap is a project to develop low-cost 3D printers that can print most of their own components. As open designs, all of the designs produced by the project are released under a free software license, the GNU General Public License.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar cell</span> Photodiode used to produce power from light on a large scale

A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is an electronic device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by means of the photovoltaic effect. It is a form of photoelectric cell, a device whose electrical characteristics vary when it is exposed to light. Individual solar cell devices are often the electrical building blocks of photovoltaic modules, known colloquially as "solar panels". Almost all commercial PV cells consist of crystalline silicon, with a market share of 95%. Cadmium telluride thin-film solar cells account for the remainder. The common single-junction silicon solar cell can produce a maximum open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 volts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar panel</span> Assembly of photovoltaic cells used to generate electricity

A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of materials that produce excited electrons when exposed to light. The electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct current (DC) electricity, which can be used to power various devices or be stored in batteries. Solar panels are also known as solar cell panels, solar electric panels, or PV modules.

A photovoltaic system, also called a PV system or solar power system, is an electric power system designed to supply usable solar power by means of photovoltaics. It consists of an arrangement of several components, including solar panels to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity, a solar inverter to convert the output from direct to alternating current, as well as mounting, cabling, and other electrical accessories to set up a working system. Many utility-scale PV systems use tracking systems that follow the sun's daily path across the sky to generate more electricity than fixed-mounted systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concentrator photovoltaics</span> Use of mirror or lens assemblies to generate current from multi-junction solar cells

Concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) is a photovoltaic technology that generates electricity from sunlight. Unlike conventional photovoltaic systems, it uses lenses or curved mirrors to focus sunlight onto small, highly efficient, multi-junction (MJ) solar cells. In addition, CPV systems often use solar trackers and sometimes a cooling system to further increase their efficiency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photovoltaic mounting system</span>

Photovoltaic mounting systems are used to fix solar panels on surfaces like roofs, building facades, or the ground. These mounting systems generally enable retrofitting of solar panels on roofs or as part of the structure of the building. As the relative costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules has dropped, the costs of the racks have become more important and for small PV systems can be the most expensive material cost. This has caused an interest in small users deploying a DIY approach. Due to these trends, there has been an explosion of new racking trends. These include non-optimal orientations and tilt angles, new types of roof-mounts, ground mounts, canopies, building integrated, shading, vertical mounted and fencing systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyman filament extruder</span>

The Lyman filament extruder is a device for making 3-D printer filament suitable for use in 3-D printers like the RepRap. It is named after its developer Hugh Lyman and was the winner of the Desktop Factory Competition.

Distributed manufacturing also known as distributed production, cloud producing, distributed digital manufacturing, and local manufacturing is a form of decentralized manufacturing practiced by enterprises using a network of geographically dispersed manufacturing facilities that are coordinated using information technology. It can also refer to local manufacture via the historic cottage industry model, or manufacturing that takes place in the homes of consumers.

<i>Open-Source Lab</i> (book) Book on development of open source laboratory hardware by Joshua Pearce

The Open-Source Lab: How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs by Joshua M. Pearce was published in 2014 by Elsevier.

A recyclebot is an open-source hardware device for converting waste plastic into filament for open-source 3D printers like the RepRap. Making DIY 3D printer filament at home is both less costly and better for the environment than purchasing conventional 3D printer filament. In following the RepRap tradition there are recyclebot designs that use mostly 3-D printable parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fused filament fabrication</span> 3D printing process

Fused filament fabrication (FFF), also known as fused deposition modeling, or filament freeform fabrication, is a 3D printing process that uses a continuous filament of a thermoplastic material. Filament is fed from a large spool through a moving, heated printer extruder head, and is deposited on the growing work. The print head is moved under computer control to define the printed shape. Usually the head moves in two dimensions to deposit one horizontal plane, or layer, at a time; the work or the print head is then moved vertically by a small amount to begin a new layer. The speed of the extruder head may also be controlled to stop and start deposition and form an interrupted plane without stringing or dribbling between sections. "Fused filament fabrication" was coined by the members of the RepRap project to give an acronym (FFF) that would be legally unconstrained in its use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agrivoltaics</span> Simultaneous agriculture and solar energy production

Agrivoltaics is the dual use of land for solar energy production and agriculture. The technique was first conceived by Adolf Goetzberger and Armin Zastrow in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3D printing processes</span> List of 3D printing processes

A variety of processes, equipment, and materials are used in the production of a three-dimensional object via additive manufacturing. 3D printing is also known as additive manufacturing, because the numerous available 3D printing process tend to be additive in nature, with a few key differences in the technologies and the materials used in this process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hangprinter</span> 3D printer

Hangprinter is an open-source fused deposition modeling delta 3D printer notable for its unique frameless design. It was created by Torbjørn Ludvigsen. The Hangprinter uses relatively low cost parts and can be constructed for around US$250. The printer is part of the RepRap project, meaning many of the parts of the printer are able to be produced on the printer itself. The design files for the printer are available on GitHub for download, modification and redistribution.

There are many practical applications for solar panels or photovoltaics. From the fields of the agricultural industry as a power source for irrigation to its usage in remote health care facilities to refrigerate medical supplies. Other applications include power generation at various scales and attempts to integrate them into homes and public infrastructure. PV modules are used in photovoltaic systems and include a large variety of electrical devices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of sustainable energy research 2020 to the present</span> Notable events in energy research since 2020

This timeline of sustainable energy research from 2020 to the present documents research and development in renewable energy, solar energy, and nuclear energy, particularly regarding energy production that is sustainable within the Earth system.

References

  1. ↑ "Western News - Bringing open-source, sustainable tech to the fore". Western News. September 9, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  2. ↑ Pearce, Joshua M. (2004). "Control of Staebler-Wronski defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon for the de". Adsabs.harvard.edu. Bibcode:2004PhDT........88P.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ↑ "Costs and benefits of solar panels | Expert Interview with Joshua Pearce". verifythis.com. August 17, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Efficiency breakthrough in solar thermal cells - Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production". Cospp.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  5. ↑ Herman K. Trabish (December 7, 2011). "New Study: Solar Grid Parity Is Here Today". Greentech Media. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  6. ↑ Branker, K.; Pathak, M. J. M.; Pearce, J. M. (December 1, 2011). "A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 15 (9): 4470–4482. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.104. hdl: 1974/6879 . S2CID   73523633.
  7. ↑ "Cost of solar falling according to Queen's study". CTVNews. December 7, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  8. ↑ "New Study: Solar Grid Parity Is Here Today". www.greentechmedia.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  9. ↑ Hayibo, Koami Soulemane; Pearce, Joshua M. (March 1, 2021). "A review of the value of solar methodology with a case study of the U.S. VOS". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 137: 110599. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2020.110599. ISSN   1364-0321.
  10. ↑ "Your Neighbor's Solar Panels Are Secretly Saving You Money". Popular Mechanics. February 11, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ Corp, Pelmorex (April 25, 2023). "How just 1% of farmland could meet one third of Canada's energy needs". The Weather Network. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  12. ↑ Andrews, R. W.; Pollard, A.; Pearce, J. M. (November 1, 2015). "Photovoltaic System Performance Enhancement With Nontracking Planar Concentrators: Experimental Results and Bidirectional Reflectance Function (BDRF)-Based Modeling". IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics. 5 (6): 1626–1635. doi:10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2478064. ISSN   2156-3381. S2CID   40828010.
  13. ↑ "Researchers Discover How to Shine More Sunlight on Solar Panels, Increase Output By 30% | IHS Electronics360". electronics360.globalspec.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Climate Brief: Parking lot solar arrays are a smart, green idea; Himalayan glaciers shrinking fast". Daily Kos. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Solar Parking Lots Are a Win-Win Energy Idea. Why Aren't They the Norm?". CNET. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Floating solar farms: How 'floatovoltaics' could provide power without taking up valuable real estate". NBC News. February 11, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  17. ↑ "You Can Make Your Own Solar Panels, and It's Easier Than You'd Think". CNET. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  18. ↑ Dougherty, Dale (October 30, 2020). "Make:cast - Make Anything with Open Source Projects". Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  19. ↑ Grafman, Lonny; Pearce, Joshua (January 1, 2021). "To Catch the Sun". To Catch the Sun.
  20. ↑ Pearce, JM (September 14, 2012). "Podcast Interview". Science. 337 (6100). Sciencemag.org: 1303–4. Bibcode:2012Sci...337.1303P. doi:10.1126/science.1228183. PMID   22984059. S2CID   44722829 . Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  21. ↑ Timmer, John (November 21, 2012). "Stallman's got company: Researcher wants nanotech patent moratorium". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  22. ↑ Pearce, Joshua M. (2012). "Make nanotechnology research open-source". Nature . 491 (7425): 519–521. Bibcode:2012Natur.491..519P. doi: 10.1038/491519a . PMID   23172198. S2CID   4366790.
  23. ↑ Pearce, Joshua M. (September 14, 2012). "Building Research Equipment with Free, Open-Source Hardware". Science. 337 (6100): 1303–1304. Bibcode:2012Sci...337.1303P. doi:10.1126/science.1228183. ISSN   0036-8075. PMID   22984059. S2CID   44722829.
  24. ↑ "3D Printing Brings the Science Lab to Your Backyard". Popular Mechanics. September 13, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  25. ↑ McMurtrie, Beth (March 29, 2013). "Lab Equipment Made With 3-D Printers Could Cut Costs by 97% - Percolator - The Chronicle of Higher Education". Chronicle.com. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  26. ↑ Sher, Davide. "Prof. Pearce's "Open-Source Lab" Unleashes the Power of 3D Printed Lab Equipment". 3D Printing Industry. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  27. ↑ Isha, Bhargava. "Need a walker? These Western University engineers have made it easier, cheaper to build your own". CBC.
  28. ↑ "Study at Western University on low cost auto injector". london.ctvnews.ca. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Western University helps develop 3D-printed surgical table". London. July 16, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  30. ↑ Study: At-home 3-D printing could save consumers 'thousands' - CNN, 7/31/2013
  31. ↑ 3D printers use less energy than traditional manufacturing - Gigaom - available http://gigaom.com/2013/10/03/3d-printers-use-less-energy-than-traditional-manufacturing/ Archived November 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine 3/10/2013.
  32. ↑ Michigan Tech Prof Says You Can Save Big With Milk Jug Recycling For 3D Printing - CBS 3/5/2014
  33. ↑ Need 3D printer filament? Got milk? - Ars Technica
  34. ↑ Dankovich, Cali (April 16, 2019). ""Gigabot X" 3-D printer helps find new uses for recycled plastic". www.uppermichiganssource.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  35. ↑ Loose screw? 3-D printer may soon forge you a new one - NBC News
  36. ↑ Testing your metal- Newsweek
  37. ↑ "New 3-D Metal Printer is Open Source and Affordable". Scientific American .
  38. ↑ An Inexpensive Way to Print Out Metal Parts - The New York Times, 2013/12/10/
  39. ↑ Cuda, Gretchen (May 8, 2012). "Recipe For Safer Drinking Water? Add Sun, Salt And Lime : The Salt". NPR. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Coal and tobacco industries kill more Americans each year than they employ". Big Think. February 24, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  41. ↑ Unruh, Gregory (February 12, 2016). "The Revolution Will Be Customized (and Recycled and Solar-Powered)". MIT Sloan Management Review. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Create, Share, and Save Money Using Open-Source Projects". Appropedia, the sustainability wiki. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  43. ↑ Grafman, Lonny; Pearce, Joshua (January 1, 2021). "To Catch the Sun". To Catch the Sun.
  44. ↑ graphicheart. "Accueil". To Catch The Sun (in French). Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  45. ↑ graphicheart. "Casa". To Catch The Sun (in European Spanish). Retrieved December 20, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.