A Business Idea With a Humanitarian Purpose

A group of students from the Michigan Institute of Technology came up with a business idea to help people in Third World countries. Many live under roofs made of thin metal. The metal roofs are cheap, fireproof, and fairly sturdy. However, they let out heat when it’s cold outside, increase heat when it’s hot outside, and cause a racket when it’s raining.

To solve these problems, the students designed insulation panels made of straw (or some other handy material) bound with local resins. The panels are installed beneath the metal roofs.

To get the business started, the students applied for and won thousands in grant money. They created a blueprint for putting the insulation together, wrote up instructions on how to install the panels, and organized a company to manufacture them. Local organizations and a straw manufacturer have gotten on board with the project.

(Source: MIT News)

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