Joshua M. Pearce | |
---|---|
Nationality | American, Canadian |
Alma mater | The Pennsylvania State University |
Known for | solar 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]
{{
cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires |journal=
(
help)
Joshua M. Pearce | |
---|---|
Nationality | American, Canadian |
Alma mater | The Pennsylvania State University |
Known for | solar 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]
{{
cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires |journal=
(
help)