Chemists Without Borders partners with IdeaConnection to Solve Four Humanitarian Challenges
The search is on to find solutions to arsenic poisoning, contaminated water and electronic waste hazards.IdeaConnection, an industry leader in open innovation and solving R&D challenges, has partnered with Chemists Without Borders, an organization focusing on solving humanitarian problems, to challenge the solver community to come up with solutions to four urgent challenges affecting the health of millions.
The Arsenic Penny-per-Test Challenge is asking for a simple test to be designed that would detect arsenic levels in groundwater. More than 75 million people in Bangladesh are at risk for arsenic poisoning, and current tests are too expensive to be practical. The test should be able to be manufactured and distributed locally, and must be accurate and reliable.
The Arsenic Removal Water Filter Challenge is looking for a water filter design that would remove arsenic from water to less than 10 ppb, and must be able to be manufactured as a cottage industry in Bangladesh. The design can be an adaptation from an existing filter.
The Contaminated Water "Tool Kit" Challenge is seeking an analytical tool kit that would identify major impurities in water. Impure drinking water is a major source of illness throughout the world, causing such diseases as Cholera, Diarrhea, Hepatitis, Malaria, Ringworm and many more. A cost effective, portable and straightforward testing kit could protect millions of people from succumbing to debilitating diseases.
The Electronic Waste Challenge is reaching out to the global community to design an action plan to alleviate the health and safety risks to uneducated and underprivileged workers in India, China and Africa who extract metals from e-waste. Workers are exposed to dangerous levels of toxins such as lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium and polyvinyl chlorides.
We are appealing to solvers worldwide who wish to contribute their expertise and skills to help solve these critical issues affecting the lives of millions of people.
About IdeaConnection
IdeaConnection offers clients access to a vast global marketplace of high-level technical expertise. As a leading provider of prize-based open innovation services, IdeaConnection performs Technology Scouting, R&D Problem Solving and Prior Art Citation Searches on a pay-for-success basis.
About Chemists Without Borders
Chemists Without Borders solves humanitarian problems by mobilizing the resources and expertise of the global chemistry community and its networks. Chemists Without Borders is a global support network of volunteers providing mentoring, information and advice to ensure every person, everywhere, has affordable, consistent and persistent access to essential medicines and vaccines, safe water, sustainable energy and emergency support.