A solar sterilization and distillation unit for water in resource-poor settings

Hospitals in the developing world lack effective methods of sterilizing surgical equipment, leading to a high prevalence of surgical site infections. The device, Helios, is a solar-powered system that sterilizes surgical equipment and provides potable water in areas without grid electricity. The system is designed as a preassembled unit that is ready to use within minutes of delivery. A pressure cooker autoclave sterilizes surgical equipment and emits pure steam that a heat exchanger condenses into potable water. The heat exchanger also preheats a separate batch of water for subsequent cycles, increasing the number of potential surgeries performed per day. The Helios design is based on needs identified in Nicaragua to maximize sunlight absorption and heat retention while requiring fewer, complex components than competing products. Moreover, the design utilizes materials that are inexpensive and locally available. Testing has shown that the heat exchanger component function as desired. The current design is near completion, and future work in the project will test the device´s ability to both capture sunlight and function effectively as an autoclave.