Creating ice using the heat of the sun

Solarbear can generate ice by the power of the sun, due to a thermodynamical principle developed and explored by students within the Technical University of Delft, the Netherlands.

Emerging Economies

Major problems are linked to no or unreliable refrigeration in Emerging Economies. Spoilt food and water can lead to diseases and even to death. Vaccines reach their destination spoiled due to breaks in the cold chain. In India alone, hundreds of millions of people live without reliable access to electricity, it alone has a reported electrification rate of 56% in 2008 (UNDP).

Normally, the sun is the catalyst of food, drinks and medicine to spoil, but it can also be harvested for exactly the opposite. Not dependant on any electricity grid and providing a free costs during usage, generating ice by using solarbear could offer an ideal solution.

Some facts:

[1] A large share of all distributed vaccines transported to rural villages is lost due to breaks in the cold chain.
[2] 1.5 billion children related child diseases per year in Developing Countries (WHO, UNICEF).
[3] 2.3 million child related deaths due to inacurate vaccines and spoiled foods per year (WHO).
[4] Around one third of the food & drink produce in rural area's spoils before reaching their city destination. (TIME, UNICEF, WHO).
[5] 8000 times the energy needed in the world hits the earth every day due to the sun.

there's enough to do!

Western Society

Solarbear, our solar ice maker, can provide a solution within several different segments in Western society. An off-grid, electricity independent cooling system can be the ideal solution for sustaining food and beverage temperature when sailing on open sea or within the canals of Amsterdam, when camping or simply going to the beach on a sunny afternoon.

Currently, we are researching possible adaptation of our original concept to integrate Western user needs. To eventually provide the best possible solution, we need your help! If you own a boat, and occasionally bring along friends, drinks and food to enjoy a great afternoon together, please contact us by email so we are able to ask you some short questions about your exact wishes and needs.

Whats in it for you? On your approval, you will be kept up to date on the project development and it is possible that you can be the first one to test our product in real life! Helping us will only take a few minutes, but is essential for us!

Thanks to Godevaert, the Dutch boating magazine for their short news item!