Joshua Pearce
American engineer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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 |
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
- Open-Source Lab (book):How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs. Elsevier (2014).
- David Denkenberger and Joshua Pearce, Feeding Everyone No Matter What: Managing Food Security After Global Catastrophe, Academic Press (2015).
- Create, Share, and Save Money Using Open-Source Projects. McGraw-Hill Education TAB (2020).[42]
- Lonny Grafman and Joshua Pearce. To Catch the Sun, Cal Poly Humboldt University Press. (2021).[43]
References
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