Agriculture
November 5, 2018
Product Description
Wakati One is a preservation technique for fruits and vegetables in developing countries. Keeping the quality of the crops is essential for expanding both the local market and the highly profitable export market, both drive local economies. With 45% of the crops that end up as waste (UN FAO) there is a lot of room to increase productivity, especially in countries like Kenya and Tanzania. Interview with inventor
Distributors / Implementing Organizations
Manufacturing/Building Method
Prototyped using Fused Deposition Modeling process with stereolithography. A final master was created for a silicone mould. Vacuum casting was used to create a run of 120 units.
Intellectural Property Type
Open Source
User Provision Model
Wakati is currently in pre-production. The organization aimed to start production after the summer of 2015. Distributors are NGOs, social enterprises and agricultural wholesales Interview with inventor. As of 2020, interested parties can become ambassadors and purchase the product.
Distributions to Date Status
At least 150 units have been sold.
Design Specifications
The Wakati consists of a tent-like structure with a 10-watt, photovoltaic solar-powered fan and water tray evaporator inside. A ventilator powered by a 10-watt solar panel gradually evaporates 1 L of water per week, generating a humid environment within the tent that keeps cells intact and prevents mold and fungi from spreading. Each tent is capable of preserving up to 1,000 kilograms of produce for up to eight days, greatly reducing potential food waste and giving farmers more time to sell their crops. Moreover, the tarp packaging of the Wakati can be stored and used at any point to mend ruptures that may form in the tent. The optimal use of Wakati One is outside, in a warm and dry climate.
Technical Support
Wakati representative
Replacement Components
Contact the manufacturer for replacement components.
Lifecycle
The tarp packaging of the Wakati can be stored and used at any point to mend ruptures that may form in the tent.
Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters
The designers aim to have their product rely completely on solar energy and preserve up to 1,000 kilograms of produce for up to 8 days.
Vetted Performance Status
The Wakati system performance was tested by University of Leuven - KU Leuven for a period of 10 days. Results are shown in the chart.
Safety
Unknown
Complementary Technical Systems
Unknown
Academic Research and References
Olosunde, W.A., Aremu, A.K., Onwude, D.I., 2016. Development of a solar powered evaporative cooling storage system for tropical fruits and vegetables. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 40(2), pp. 279-290.
Mansuri, S.M., Sharma, P.K., Samuel, D.V.K., 2016. Solar powered evaporative cooled storage structure for storage of fruits and vegetables. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 86(7), pp. 916-922.
Compliance with regulations
Unknown
Other Information
Antwerp students place second in biomimicry contest.
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