AWARD YEAR
2017
CATEGORY
Play & Learning
GOALS
Good Health & Well-being
KEYWORDS
diagnostic , centrifuge , low-cost
COUNTRY
United States of America
DESIGNED BY
Manu Prakash
WEBSITE
http://news.stanford.edu/2017/01/10/whirligig-toy-bioengineers-develop-20-cent-hand-powered-blood-centrifuge/
The Paperfuge
This 20-cent paper pinwheel could help diagnose diseases in developing countries
Stanford bioengineers have developed an ultra-low-cost, human-powered blood centrifuge. With rotational speeds of up to 125,000 revolutions per minute, the device separates blood plasma from red cells in 1.5 minutes, no electricity required.
A centrifuge is critical for detecting diseases such as malaria, African sleeping sickness, HIV and tuberculosis. This low-cost version will enable precise diagnosis and treatment in the poor, off-the-grid regions where these diseases are most prevalent.