Dr. Ashok Gadgil, an Indian-American civil and environmental engineer, has been awarded the United States’ National Medal for Technology and Innovation by President Joe Biden for his innovative contributions, particularly in areas that address the needs of the poor and the environment. Dr. Gadgil’s inventions, such as the Berkeley-Darfur Stove, have had a significant impact on the developing world. His work spans various domains, including water purification, efficient lighting, and infant care, ultimately saving many lives.
One of his noteworthy contributions is the development of the Berkeley-Darfur Stove, a low-cost natural convection stove. This innovation provided significant financial savings for the women in Darfur, Sudan, who could save over $1,500 annually. The stove cost only $20 and was assembled and transported from Mumbai to Africa. It improved fuel efficiency by enhancing wood combustion and heat transfer efficiency, ensuring that it worked well with local cooking methods and remained inexpensive.
Dr. Gadgil also created a low-cost UV-filtration-based water disinfection system that targeted affordable drinking water disinfection. By using Ultraviolet-C light, this technology effectively destroyed the DNA of waterborne pathogens, making water safe to drink. Its design had no moving parts, was easy to maintain, and created opportunities for local people to make some money while saving lives.
Furthermore, Dr. Gadgil developed a low-cost technology to remove arsenic from drinking water, designed with India and Bangladesh in mind. The technology uses a small amount of electric current to release iron rust into the water, which captures arsenic and settles out, leaving the water safe for consumption. Two plants using this technology are operating in India, in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Gadgil’s inventions extend to the healthcare sector, including a $100 plant-based non-electric infant warmer. This device has significantly reduced neo-natal deaths from hypothermia in places with unreliable electricity.
In a recent interview with NDTV, Dr. Gadgil expressed his concern about the rising number of heat-related deaths in the developing world due to the effects of climate change. He is currently focusing on developing solutions to mitigate these heat-related fatalities, which are occurring faster than many regions are prepared for.
Dr. Ashok Gadgil’s work exemplifies his commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to address critical challenges faced by vulnerable populations and promote sustainable practices for the environment. His dedication to improving the lives of those in the developing world through his inventions has earned him recognition and the prestigious National Medal for Technology and Innovation.
