Low technology

The term low -tech forms the contrast to high-tech and refers to technology that under the standards:

• Simple function
• Simple production
• Easy operation
• Robustness
• Easy maintenance

Is developed. Low-tech says nothing about the intelligence standing behind the technology. It simply refers to the practical implementation. Often the latest scientific findings on the development of low- tech devices are used.

Low -tech is a Konstruktionsphilosphie that forms the antithesis to high-tech. It means the conscious renunciation of expensive complicated technology and the use of simple active principles.

One example is canned and the corresponding opener. There are often simple mechanical opener used, although there are already fully automatic electric opener, the much more comfortable to use, but are expensive and complicated. Also, the mechanics, the shape and materials of the simple opener are often designed with a lot of know -how.

One of the main applications for low-tech are developing countries. The use of expensive high-quality machine has performed there several times to failure. The high-tech devices were not adapted to the harsh conditions on the ground and thus error- prone. The people were not to wait for the complex, expensive machines in the situation on the ground. This was due to lack of education, and especially to the lack of availability of spare parts and tools ( infrastructure). Low -tech machines can be serviced and repaired on site. The tools and parts needed for this are based on the local conditions.

Low -tech products are developed under the aspect of sustainability and waste reduction. The high robustness they have factory a longer life than comparable high- tech products. Due to the easy maintainability and reparability the life can often be extended considerably with little effort. The products must not be replaced. There are no special tools and spare parts for the maintenance necessary, the absence of any other use be superfluous after the end of product life. Low -tech products are easier to dismantle and taken to a suitable recycling after its use. They often come from without electricity. Thus, among others, fall Environmentally harmful materials away in the manufacture of electronics. For the operation is usually sufficient hand strength, it requires no batteries.

Low-tech products

• Watercone: The Watercone is a transparent plastic cone that can be pulled over a puddle of water or a dark pan. The sun provides for evaporation and the clear water condenses on the walls of the cone. It goes to the bottom of the cone, where it is collected. There is a screw cap, then the collected water can be filled by the at the top. This results in about 1.5 liters of water per day.

• The refrigerator without electricity: These are two jars that are placed together. Sand is poured and moistened between the two pots. Due to the latent heat of evaporation, the temperature drops in the inner pot by a few degrees Celsius; enough to the shelf life of foods to increase many times over.

• Fog - catching net, also called " Atrapaniebla ": For over a thousand years, people use in dry areas (such as the Atacama Desert) towels, collect the humidity and so donate vital water. The idea was taken up and implemented by FogQuest again. Cheap, 20 square meters large plastic networks now provide people in South America, Ethiopia and Yemen with water. FogQuest received in 2005 in Munich, the "International Hundertwasser price ".