A collaboration between a Nigerien Inventor and an American Inventor.

Boubacar Akali is an inventor with engineering training living in Dogondoutchi, Niger is a man who is strongly motivated to help Nigeriens and has an amazing ability to develop simple technology solutions for problems many of them face. Stephen Hoyt is an engineer in the US and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Dogondoutchi from 1994-1996. Boubacar and Steve worked together on several projects and when Steve returned in October 2002 with the Friends of Niger return trip they decided to collaborate to develop a few of there own ideas that could be very beneficial to Niger. The projects are unique, small-scale, low-cost, practical, able to be built entirely in Niger and very needed. Two projects were planned: A Mechanical Millet Pounder and a Solar Steam Pump.

Millet Pounder

The Problem
The main staple crop in Niger is millet. Most meals are prepared using millet flour that is made from millet grains that are traditionally pounded by hand by women using a pestle and mortar. This is a very laborious task to produce small amounts of millet flour. Increasingly, women can now have millet ground into flour at a mill using a mechanical screw type of milling machine. However, the quality of millet flour produced from mill is considered inferior. The machine tends to heat and ‘cook’ the grains as they are ground into flour, this changes the taste and also the low quality steel of the mill used can leave steel filings in the flour. People strongly prefer pounded millet flour but many women rightly refuse to add such a huge task to their already very difficult work life.

The Solution
Boubacar was asked if he might develop a solution to this problem. Using his own money and large amounts of time he began to develop an idea for a mechanical pounding machine. After several attempts he succeeded in building a working model, and it worked very well. His machine imitated the action of the woman pounding and used a small pestle and mortar but was driven mechanically. The flour quality was high and the machine produced at a high rate. The model was tried and demonstrated and drew a strong interest from women and men all over the town. Several expressed interest in buying a machine. But Boubacar is an experienced inventor and realized that this invention would also require a lot more work to perfect perhaps 4 or 5 additional models to perfect the design to be durable and easy to use. He also wanted to develop both a model that was driven by a motor and a manual version using a lever arm (for use in villages without any electricity or motors, but using a level action that significantly reduces the effort needed to pound).

The Project
Stage 1 - Design and construction of beta prototype machine (both motor driven and manual combined) designed and paid for by Boubacar Akali.

Stage 2 - Design and build marketable version of machine.

Stage 3 - Shop trials of machine. Analyze weaknesses and necessary changes.

Stage 4 - Prototype redesign and construction.

Stage 5 - Household trials of machine to determine ease of use problems.

Stage 6 - Construction of final version(s) of machine.

The Cost
The estimated cost of the project is $500.

Materials $100
Labor $100
Design/Research $300
Total $500

All funds go directly to Boubacar Akali. All work provided by Stephen Hoyt is pro bono.

Solar Steam Pump

The Problem
Another task that is the job of women in Nigerien culture is to pull water from the well using a rope and water bag. This is also a very laborious task and presents many problems of sanitation. Most villages in Niger are remote and have no access to motors or electricity to pump water. However, Niger is an ideal location for solar power with very little cloud cover and strong direct sun. All PV solar applications would be prohibitively expensive in Nigerien villages.

The Solution
Steve and Boubacar have initiated design of a solar steam pump which would pump water from the well using a simple steam piston which would be powered by a solar concentrating mirror. All the major components could be manufactured in Niger and at a relatively low cost. The simple design of the system would make it easy to operate and repair in Niger. The system would have the added possibility of providing steam for cooking or other uses.

The Project
Stage 1 - Research and design by Steve in the US (with possible help from a local engineering professor and solar specialist).

Stage 2 - Communication and discussion of design merits/flaws between Boubacar and Steve (via the post).

Stage 3 - Construction in the US of prototype components of the system.

Stage 4 - Construction of prototype components in Niger.

Stage 5 - Evaluation of the project and consideration of if and how to move forward.

The Cost
The estimated cost of the project for this initial stage is $800.

Materials in the US $300
Materials in Niger $100
Labor in Niger $200
Research and Design in Niger$200
Total $800

All funds go directly to materials or to Boubacar Akali. All work provided by Stephen Hoyt is pro bono.

All funds are being raised privately by Stephen Hoyt. If you would like to contribute contact Steve at (518) 732-7618 or steveh@albany.net.