EOS International
Encyclopedia
EOS International is a 501c3 not-profit organization founded in 2008 and dedicated to promoting appropriate technology in the developing world
. EOS works primarily in Nicaragua
providing rural families with access to low-cost technologies geared towards generating income and improving health. The three core technologies EOS implements include: drip irrigation systems, fuel-efficient barrel ovens, and biodigestors.
Since its creation in 2008 by a group of engineers from Iowa State University
, EOS has been promoting and implementing technologies in villages throughout Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. In addition to working directly with farmers and families, EOS works to train and educate other development organizations and natives how to construct and maintain these technologies in order to reach more people in need.
and increasing incomes. Through the use of plastic tubing with small holes at consistent intervals (commonly known as drip tape), water is distributed directly to the root of a plant. A drip irrigation system requires a water source and typically consists of: a storage device, a piping system, a filter, and drip tape. Systems may include the use of rivers, wells, and portable water for the primary source as well as low-cost methods such as harvesting rainwater to allow farmers in the driest, most water scarce areas to increase yields and grow vegetables during the dry season. EOS' system uses a metal barrel as a storage device, durable plastic hose for the piping system, and plastic connectors that connect drip tape to the plastic hose. All materials are purchased in Nicaragua.
Drip irrigation exists in Nicaragua, but systems are expensive to install and are only marketed to very large-scale farmers. EOS is working to make systems available for small-scale families that live on $1–$2 per day. EOS' first drip irrigation system was installed in March 2009 at an elementary school garden in San Jose, Nicaragua. To date EOS has installed a total of 25 systems across Nicaragua. These farmers are now harvesting crops during the six-month dry season
. The EOS team of engineers has taken existing concepts and designed a system that costs less than $20, an amount farmers can make from one growing season
. In order to further reduce costs, EOS is designing a new storage device made of plastic bags, which will lower system cost to around $7.
and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer
. Biodigesters are geared towards preventing deforestation
while saving families time and money. The biogas can be piped to a simple gas cooking range and used as fuel, while the fertilizer can be put back on crops to increase yields
. Biodigesters can yield up to five hours of gas per day, allowing families to stop cooking on wood-burning stove
s. This change drastically improves their health by removing the toxic wood smoke from the kitchen and saves a significant amount of time and money spent to provide firewood.
EOS has installed more than 20 biodigesters in Nicaragua and recently began a project with a small co-operative to install 20 biodigesters in their village. While there are different types of biodigester designs, the design EOS uses consists of a plastic bag to harness the biogas and PVC pipe to connect the chamber to the gas range. All components are purchased in Nicaragua and each system costs $115. In March 2010, EOS began working with Opportunity International
on a 50-biodigester project in the Nicaraguan departments
of Granada and Rivas. EOS is training their technicians and local villagers how to build, use, and maintain this type of biodigester.
s in Nicaragua are made of dirt with one cavity to place coals and bake. They are dangerous, slow, and require a tremendous amount of firewood
. The EOS oven design consists of a metal barrel, brick
s, and rebar
and uses 75% less wood than traditional ovens. This design is much safer to use and allows for continuous baking.
When EOS began building these ovens in late 2009, they had an overwhelming response. EOS has built a total of 50 ovens to date and has a steady backlog of orders. Each oven costs $40 and upon installation, EOS provides information on how to create a business by selling baked goods to neighbors and at market
. An oven can be paid off in seven weeks by simply baking twice a week.
for rural families by creating income generating opportunities and improving their health. EOS International’s team of engineers overhaul existing concepts to improve system designs while lowering cost by removing unnecessary components and increasing the use of locally available materials.
To date, EOS has implemented their core technologies in rural villages across nine of Nicaragua’s 17 departments
and their target area is the municipality of El Sauce, located in the department of Leon
. El Sauce has nearly 35,000 residents and is made up of small, rural communities of a few hundred people each. EOS installed demonstration systems and promoted core technologies in a number of these communities and now orders are streaming in from all over Nicaragua as local families share their successes with friends and neighbors.
In Nicaragua, EOS is working with the Peace Corps
and Opportunity International
by delivering formal training to volunteers on EOS' core technologies, assisting them with system implementation and giving workshops in their communities to teach local laborer
s how to construct and repair these technologies. EOS' core technologies are in high demand throughout Nicaragua and they plan to begin working with other development organizations in a similar way. EOS has also developed step-by-step construction manuals for each of its technologies and is disseminating them through the Peace Corps and EOS' website.
On a larger scale, EOS hopes to play a vital role in the eradication of poverty
by promoting the benefits of appropriate technology and their specific designs to other development organizations. EOS shares technical information and serves as a resource to other groups looking to implement EOS' technologies in their target communities. EOS is currently working with the Peace Corps
as well as individual chapters of both Engineers Without Borders
and Engineers for a Sustainable World
to share their experiences, create awareness of their core technologies and develop new technologies. By partnering with other organizations, EOS plans to leverage their relationships in communities across the globe to efficiently reach more people in need.
After purchasing materials in bulk, EOS assembles kits of required materials and delivers them to Peace Corps Volunteers
and other organizations that have been trained on correct implementation and maintenance procedures. This system has been successful thus far, and EOS will be sending their kits to organizations across Central America
.
McCloskey Business Plan Competition hosted by the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship. The University honored EOS with the Klau Family Greatest Social Impact Award and the accompanying $15,000 prize. EOS also won the Best Elevator Pitch Competition and the Innovation Park at Notre Dame Accelerator Award.
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center New Venture Challenge on March 25, 2011. EOS earned an honorable mention in the competition and a $1000 prize. The Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at Iowa State University awarded EOS $2,000 in seed money
in 2008, which helped launch the organization.
Developing country
A developing country, also known as a less-developed country, is a nation with a low level of material well-being. Since no single definition of the term developing country is recognized internationally, the levels of development may vary widely within so-called developing countries...
. EOS works primarily in Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
providing rural families with access to low-cost technologies geared towards generating income and improving health. The three core technologies EOS implements include: drip irrigation systems, fuel-efficient barrel ovens, and biodigestors.
Since its creation in 2008 by a group of engineers from Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
, EOS has been promoting and implementing technologies in villages throughout Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. In addition to working directly with farmers and families, EOS works to train and educate other development organizations and natives how to construct and maintain these technologies in order to reach more people in need.
Mission Statement
To provide underserved communities with access to low-cost appropriate technologies that generate income and improve health. EOS International will accomplish this by implementing their core technologies, promoting and teaching these technologies to both development organizations and rural villages how to implement them, and developing technology kits to distribute as a way to extend EOS' impact to other areas where they are not currently working.Vision
That underserved communities throughout the developing world have an awareness of and access to appropriate technology solutions that allow families to lift themselves out of poverty.Drip Irrigation System
EOS' Drip Irrigation System is a low-cost, low-tech irrigation method that uses less water than traditional methods focused on fighting food securityFood security
Food security refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation. According to the World Resources Institute, global per capita food production has been increasing substantially for the past...
and increasing incomes. Through the use of plastic tubing with small holes at consistent intervals (commonly known as drip tape), water is distributed directly to the root of a plant. A drip irrigation system requires a water source and typically consists of: a storage device, a piping system, a filter, and drip tape. Systems may include the use of rivers, wells, and portable water for the primary source as well as low-cost methods such as harvesting rainwater to allow farmers in the driest, most water scarce areas to increase yields and grow vegetables during the dry season. EOS' system uses a metal barrel as a storage device, durable plastic hose for the piping system, and plastic connectors that connect drip tape to the plastic hose. All materials are purchased in Nicaragua.
Drip irrigation exists in Nicaragua, but systems are expensive to install and are only marketed to very large-scale farmers. EOS is working to make systems available for small-scale families that live on $1–$2 per day. EOS' first drip irrigation system was installed in March 2009 at an elementary school garden in San Jose, Nicaragua. To date EOS has installed a total of 25 systems across Nicaragua. These farmers are now harvesting crops during the six-month dry season
Dry season
The dry season is a term commonly used when describing the weather in the tropics. The weather in the tropics is dominated by the tropical rain belt, which oscillates from the northern to the southern tropics over the course of the year...
. The EOS team of engineers has taken existing concepts and designed a system that costs less than $20, an amount farmers can make from one growing season
Growing season
In botany, horticulture, and agriculture the growing season is the period of each year when native plants and ornamental plants grow; and when crops can be grown....
. In order to further reduce costs, EOS is designing a new storage device made of plastic bags, which will lower system cost to around $7.
Biodigesters
A biodigester is a simple technology that converts animal and organic wastes into biogasBiogas
Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas...
and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use...
. Biodigesters are geared towards preventing deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
while saving families time and money. The biogas can be piped to a simple gas cooking range and used as fuel, while the fertilizer can be put back on crops to increase yields
Crop yield
In agriculture, crop yield is not only a measure of the yield of cereal per unit area of land under cultivation, yield is also the seed generation of the plant itself...
. Biodigesters can yield up to five hours of gas per day, allowing families to stop cooking on wood-burning stove
Wood-burning stove
For a list of stove types see Stove .A wood-burning stove is a heating appliance capable of burning wood fuel and wood-derived biomass fuel. Generally the appliance consists of a solid metal closed fire chamber, a grate and an adjustable air control...
s. This change drastically improves their health by removing the toxic wood smoke from the kitchen and saves a significant amount of time and money spent to provide firewood.
EOS has installed more than 20 biodigesters in Nicaragua and recently began a project with a small co-operative to install 20 biodigesters in their village. While there are different types of biodigester designs, the design EOS uses consists of a plastic bag to harness the biogas and PVC pipe to connect the chamber to the gas range. All components are purchased in Nicaragua and each system costs $115. In March 2010, EOS began working with Opportunity International
Opportunity International
Opportunity International is an organization that provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to more than two million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world...
on a 50-biodigester project in the Nicaraguan departments
Departments of Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a unitary republic, and for administrative purposes, it is divided into 15 departments and two self-governing regions based on the Spanish model:-Zelaya Department:...
of Granada and Rivas. EOS is training their technicians and local villagers how to build, use, and maintain this type of biodigester.
Fuel-Efficient Barrel Ovens
Traditional ovenOven
An oven is a thermally insulated chamber used for the heating, baking or drying of a substance. It is most commonly used for cooking. Kilns, and furnaces are special-purpose ovens...
s in Nicaragua are made of dirt with one cavity to place coals and bake. They are dangerous, slow, and require a tremendous amount of firewood
Firewood
Firewood is any wood-like material that is gathered and used for fuel. Generally, firewood is not highly processed and is in some sort of recognizable log or branch form....
. The EOS oven design consists of a metal barrel, brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
s, and rebar
Rebar
A rebar , also known as reinforcing steel, reinforcement steel, rerod, or a deformed bar, is a common steel bar, and is commonly used as a tensioning device in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures holding the concrete in compression...
and uses 75% less wood than traditional ovens. This design is much safer to use and allows for continuous baking.
When EOS began building these ovens in late 2009, they had an overwhelming response. EOS has built a total of 50 ovens to date and has a steady backlog of orders. Each oven costs $40 and upon installation, EOS provides information on how to create a business by selling baked goods to neighbors and at market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
. An oven can be paid off in seven weeks by simply baking twice a week.
Technology Implementation
In the last two years, EOS International has developed a set of core technologies that are improving the quality of lifeQuality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
for rural families by creating income generating opportunities and improving their health. EOS International’s team of engineers overhaul existing concepts to improve system designs while lowering cost by removing unnecessary components and increasing the use of locally available materials.
To date, EOS has implemented their core technologies in rural villages across nine of Nicaragua’s 17 departments
Departments of Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a unitary republic, and for administrative purposes, it is divided into 15 departments and two self-governing regions based on the Spanish model:-Zelaya Department:...
and their target area is the municipality of El Sauce, located in the department of Leon
León, Nicaragua
León is a department in northwestern Nicaragua . It is also the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as Santiago de los Caballeros de León and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial homes and churches...
. El Sauce has nearly 35,000 residents and is made up of small, rural communities of a few hundred people each. EOS installed demonstration systems and promoted core technologies in a number of these communities and now orders are streaming in from all over Nicaragua as local families share their successes with friends and neighbors.
Collaboration
In order to make a bigger impact, EOS International believes in a collaborative approach to development. EOS strives to collaborate with other organizations that work with appropriate technology and those that work in underserved communities throughout the developing world.In Nicaragua, EOS is working with the Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
and Opportunity International
Opportunity International
Opportunity International is an organization that provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to more than two million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world...
by delivering formal training to volunteers on EOS' core technologies, assisting them with system implementation and giving workshops in their communities to teach local laborer
Laborer
A Laborer or labourer - see variation in english spelling - is one of the construction trades, traditionally considered unskilled manual labor, as opposed to skilled labor. In the division of labor, laborers have all blasting, hand tools, power tools, air tools, and small heavy equipment, and act...
s how to construct and repair these technologies. EOS' core technologies are in high demand throughout Nicaragua and they plan to begin working with other development organizations in a similar way. EOS has also developed step-by-step construction manuals for each of its technologies and is disseminating them through the Peace Corps and EOS' website.
On a larger scale, EOS hopes to play a vital role in the eradication of poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
by promoting the benefits of appropriate technology and their specific designs to other development organizations. EOS shares technical information and serves as a resource to other groups looking to implement EOS' technologies in their target communities. EOS is currently working with the Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
as well as individual chapters of both Engineers Without Borders
Engineers Without Borders
Engineers Without Borders – International is an international association of some national EWB/ISF groups, whose mission is to facilitate collaboration, exchange of information, and assistance among its member groups that have applied to become part of the association...
and Engineers for a Sustainable World
Engineers for a Sustainable World
Engineers for a Sustainable World is a national not-for-profit based in Merced, California. ESW is an umbrella organization with chapters established at twenty-seven colleges and universities located primarily in the United States. ESW chapters work on technical engineering projects that have a...
to share their experiences, create awareness of their core technologies and develop new technologies. By partnering with other organizations, EOS plans to leverage their relationships in communities across the globe to efficiently reach more people in need.
Technology Kits
EOS' technologies use materials available in Nicaragua, but many items are bought in bulk to reduce overall price. This makes it difficult for individuals and small groups to affordably install EOS' technologies. EOS International has only one full-time staff person working in Nicaragua, yet families across the country request EOS' technologies. To solve both of these challenges and broaden their reach, EOS has developed and distributes technology kits.After purchasing materials in bulk, EOS assembles kits of required materials and delivers them to Peace Corps Volunteers
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
and other organizations that have been trained on correct implementation and maintenance procedures. This system has been successful thus far, and EOS will be sending their kits to organizations across Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
.
McCloskey Award
On April 15, 2011, EOS International competed as a finalist in the University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
McCloskey Business Plan Competition hosted by the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship. The University honored EOS with the Klau Family Greatest Social Impact Award and the accompanying $15,000 prize. EOS also won the Best Elevator Pitch Competition and the Innovation Park at Notre Dame Accelerator Award.
John Pappajohn
EOS presented in the University of IowaUniversity of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center New Venture Challenge on March 25, 2011. EOS earned an honorable mention in the competition and a $1000 prize. The Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at Iowa State University awarded EOS $2,000 in seed money
Seed money
Seed money, sometimes known as seed funding, friends and family funding or angel funding , is a securities offering whereby one or more parties that have some connection to a new enterprise invest the funds necessary to start the business so that it has enough funds to sustain itself for a period...
in 2008, which helped launch the organization.