The Capteur Soleil is a solar energy device that effectively sterilizes medical tools (image credit Jeff Fitlow)

Improving health conditions in Third World countries can be a challenge, particularly when many regions are remote and/or off-grid.  The lack of electricity makes it difficult to refrigerate medicines and sterilize medical instruments required for surgery.

Solar power is the answer!  Rice University students have been working on a device originally created by French inventor, Jean Boubour, called Capteur Soleil.  Originally, the invention helped generate electricity from the sun under less than ideal conditions.  The students are modifying Capteur Soleil to use solar energy to superheat water in an autoclave to produce steam to sterilize medical instruments used in Third World countries.

As shown in the photo above, the modified Capteur Soleil is created with curved mirrors and an insulated box which serves as the autoclave.  Temperatures within the autoclave can quickly reach 121 degrees Celsius, which meets sterilization standards established by the Center for Disease Control.

In about an hour during mid-day, the Capteur Soleil can superheat water, create steam and sterilize tools and syringes.  Use of the device is easy and can significantly cut down on infections and disease resulting from the use of dirty medical tools, improving the lives of thousands of people who live in remote areas of the world.