The New Currency: Electricity

Across the globe, lack of access to electricity creates a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break. According to the International Energy Agency, 1.6 billion people are without access to electricity in the world – mostly in poor, rural areas. Household light is often provided by kerosene or paraffin candles, which can be hazardous to human health as well as the environment.

Rolf Padsdorf has found an inexpensive solution that’s safe and environmentally sound: zinc-air fuel cells. Through his company, Alternative Energy Development Corp., Rolf is providing fuel cells in rural villages in South Africa and Namibia that generate enough power to electrify homes, streetlights, shops and in one village, a fleet of sewing machines used by local artisans to create beautiful and marketable artwork. The fuel cells cost less than $10 per month to operate, are fully recyclable, and are helping generate jobs as well as power.

Blending his talents of technology know-how and humanitarian passion, Rolf is making news this month as a Tech Awards Laureate. Rolf and 14 other Laureates will take a brief respite from their humanitarian works to attend The Tech Awards gala event presented by Applied Materials at The Tech Museum in San Jose. Five of them will walk away with $50,000 in cash to reinvest in their efforts. All will have the opportunity to meet Silicon Valley’s most prominent social entrepreneurs and investors and publicize their technology solutions that benefit the greater good.

Take a moment to learn about this year’s Laureates. They’re amazing people – applying technology to solve humanity’s toughest problems. Applied Materials is proud to support their good work.