Access to Safe Water for the Bottom of Pyramid: Strategies for Disseminating Technology Research Benefits. Technology Packaging Study, 2012.

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Society for Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA)

The Phase 1 study highlighted that there are (Nano) technologies that can effectively purify water and there is a large population in need of these technologies. However, there is a disconnect between the two.

A technology packaging study was undertaken to understand the supply chain and the life cycle of the products in different domains so that the findings can be incorporated in the final pilot roll out and try to look into various aspects like product design, standards and practices for quality assurance, awareness, safety aspects from the point of view of each stakeholder.

The first chapter introduces the initiative and lays the context for the study. The second chapter maps short listed nano based technologies both at the research and market stages. The pilot will take forward some of these technologies. Chapter 3 traces the life cycle of a water filter right from the research stage upto disposal. It also highlights key issues that need to be considered while planning an intervention. Chapter 4 further expounds on innovations undertaken by various stakeholders to enable access to the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP). The last chapter throws up pointers for the stakeholders to improve access.

Amity scientists develop low cost, pocket friendly and re-usable water purifier using Silver Nano p | Source: NewsTrackIndia, Oct 4, 2012.

NOIDA (U.P.), Oct.4 (ANI): Amity scientists have developed a low cost, pocket friendly and re-usable water purifier using Silver Nano particles.

Dr. V K Jain, Director, AIARS and Dr. Suman Nagpal- Assistant Professor, AIARS, have created ripples in the world of science by developing a re-usable, economic and easy to carry first of its kind water purifier based on silver nano embedded porous concrete pebbles.

The present product in the form of a small portable tea bag is likely to be priced at an unimaginably low cost (most probably as low as Rs. 100) as compared to other products in the segment.

The eco-friendly purifier provides around 99 % decontamination of microbial load in the treated water. The device has very good reusability and its efficacy remains the same even after 120-125 uses of the same pebbles within a time span of 6 months.

The purifier can inhibit the growth of bacteria faster than conventional filters without consuming any energy/voltage or current. It can be reused to cleanse nearly 1000 liters of water in a time span of six months. No such other device exists across the world at such a low cost.

The portability, low cost and simplicity of the proposed system makes it usable for all be it the people in remote areas and high altitudes especially by Armed Forces Personnel who are stationed at high altitudes and directly drink water from rivers or melting ice and don’t have any device (UV/ electricity source) for purification of water. The purifier can also substitute bottled water in India.

Just dip the purifier in a glass of water for few minutes and the water is free from bacteria. The Purifier can be used as tea bag (for a glass); in earthen pots and as a continuous water cleaning system.

Such a historic discovery in the water purification segment was long awaited since most of the water sources in India are contaminated with sewage and agricultural runoff. The World Bank estimates point out that 21% of communicable diseases in the country are related to unsafe water and Diarrhea alone causes more than 1,600 deaths daily.

This unique product has been selected amongst the top 50 innovative ideas during the “Power of Ideas” program in association with IIM, Ahmedabad and Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The “Power of Ideas” is organized to encourage anyone and everyone with a business idea to realize his entrepreneurial dream. Deserving ideas receive cash grants and seed funds. The entry from Amity University has won a cash prize of Rs. 2, 00, 000.

Out of 30, 000 business plans received in the initial round, only 50 entries made it to the finals, after being short listed by an Evaluation Panel which comprised of entrepreneurs, mentors and investors selected by the Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) along with the Department of Science and Technology.

The purifier is a result of six months of extensive hard work, intensive research and endless rounds of testing the viability of the product. The product thus designed has been Certified and tested by Shriram Institute of Industrial Research. The purifier device is designed, packed and manufactured by Kunstocom (India) Ltd (An AKC Group Company).

The product is already patented by Amity University, Dept of AIARS but due to lack of prototype development facilities in India, such innovations wait for actually benefitting the consumers. (ANI)

Market potential analysis for water purifier using nanotechnology for the bottom of pyramid market, 2011.

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DFID

A study was conducted to assess the market viability of a low cost water purifier aimed at the Bottom of the Pyramid market. The current market scenario among the target audience (consumers) and among the trade (dealers and retailers selling water purifiers) was investigated by means of a semi-structure questionnaire in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. The findings are presented in sections on Consumer insight, Retailer’s feedback, Perception of experts about providing ‘safe drinking water’ and an overview of best practices in providing products and services to a rural population in India.

Access to Safe Water: Approaches for Nanotechnology Benefits to Reach the Bottom of the Pyramid. Final Technical Report, May 2011.

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DFID

During the study, it was found that nanotechnology has made huge strides in providing solutions for safe drinking water. However the widespread roll out of these solutions especially to the BoP is impeded by a few barriers. Key among them is the lack of awareness among the target group; first, on the status of their water resources and its health impacts, and second on effective ways to address this issue. The study found that nanotechnology research benefits can reach the BoP, through innovative and appropriate delivery models. Though the scientific community is divided about the perceived risks of nanotechnology, they are unanimous in stating that mankind should reap the benefits of nanotechnology research provided risks are managed through precautionary and pro-active policy to practice connect. Therefore, in Phase 2 of this research the focus would be to pilot these approaches and test their scalability potential. The learnings from the ground will feed into developing a regulatory framework complemented by a set of exemplary package of practices for risk management.

The report is structured into four themes. The first theme reflects on the potential nanotechnology has to offer to water purification, keeping a focus on the BoP populations. There is a vast amount of research being carried out in India and abroad on the application of various nanomaterials including metal oxides, noble metals, magnetic particles, carbon nanotubes etc. for water purification. A few technologies harnessing the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles have also been marketed in India, catering to both the BoP (starting at £ 9) and higher income groups (at £ 130).

While the potential of the application of nanotechnology is apparent, the roll out is not very widespread. The second theme highlights the barriers that impede the realization of the potential. The sector is plagued by both supply end barriers of costs, logistics and risk management as well as demand side issues related to the awareness levels and the (felt and latent) needs of the community.

There is a need to explore successful service delivery models and absorptive capacities of the population to overcome these barriers. The next theme touches upon emerging approaches that have found varied degrees of success in reaching the BoP from different sectors like water, energy, ICT etc. Design elements which run common in these approaches as well as validated through consultations are culled out and presented.

Finally the report brings out the key research gaps that need to be filled in order to ensure that technology benefits reach the BoP. Incubation support and funding are impediments for productizing a proven technology. The policy environment also needs to consider risks and benefits of these technologies and be moulded so as to protect the end user and the environment. Finally the delivery mechanisms that will reach the BoP need to be explored. While we have pointers towards creating a mechanism that works, there is a need to test its potential to be scaled up.
The study reiterated the need for in-depth translational research in ensuring that the basic needs of the BoP are met. It is time for research to move away from being a stand alone activity to work with diverse stakeholders in the field to solve real issues.