Engineering a Better World: Bike Corn-Sheller

Posted on October 3, 2008  Comments (6)

photo of bike maize sheller

More appropriate technology from MIT’s D-Lab.

D-Lab-developed device makes corn processing more efficient

Jodie Wu, an MIT senior in mechanical engineering, spent the summer traveling from village to village in Tanzania to introduce a new system for processing the corn: A simple attachment for a bicycle that makes it possible to remove the kernels quickly and efficiently using pedal power. The device makes processing up to 30 times faster and allows one person to complete the job alone in one day.

The basic concept for the maize-sheller was first developed in Guatemala by an NGO called MayaPedal, and then refined by Wu last semester as a class project in D-Lab: Design, a class taught by Department of Mechanical Engineering Senior Lecturer Amy Smith. Now, thanks to Wu’s efforts, the technology is beginning to make its way around the world.
…
Thus, the owner of a bicycle, with a small extra investment, can travel from village to village to carry out a variety of useful tasks. A simple bike thereby becomes an ongoing source of income.

Wu refined the corn-sheller system, which was originally designed as a permanent installation that required a bicycle dedicated solely to that purpose, to make it an add-on, like Kiwia’s tools, that could be easily bolted onto an ordinary bike and removed easily.

Photo shows the prototype of the attachment. Engineering that makes a significant difference in people’s lives (especially those that need it the most) is even cooler than the latest high tech gizmos in my opinion. And those new gizmos are cool.

Related: Design for the Unwealthiest 90 Percent – Appropriate Technology posts – Water Pump Merry-go-Round – Nepalese Entrepreneur Success – Tumaini Cycles blog (by

6 Responses to “Engineering a Better World: Bike Corn-Sheller”

  1. Curious Cat Engineering Blog » Meeting the Challenge of Simplicity
    May 16th, 2009 @ 12:59 pm

    This session addresses abstract notion of simplicity, looks at why it is critical in modern UI design…

  2. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Monkey Bridge
    December 10th, 2009 @ 6:09 pm

    Once the Sykes and even vervet monkeys started using the bridges, the colobus followed suit, and are now very comfortable with their arboreal walkways…

  3. Curious Cat Engineering Blog » Appropriate Technology: Rats Helping Humans
    September 12th, 2010 @ 1:16 pm

    They are also looking to have rats help detect tb and cancers. You can fund a rat for 5 Euros (about $6.5) a month to help free the world of landmines…

  4. Student Engineers Without Borders Project: Learning While Making a Difference in Kenya » Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog
    September 25th, 2011 @ 5:41 pm

    This is a great program. Students learn a great deal by taking on real world problems and implementing solutions. As I have said before, I really love to see appropriate technology solutions put in place…

  5. Hacking the Standard Bike Wheel » Curious Cat Engineering Blog
    December 5th, 2013 @ 10:46 pm

    The Copenhagen Wheel stores energy (from braking…) and provides it when you need it (going up hill…).

  6. Appropriate Technology and Focus on Improving Lives at MIT » Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog
    October 18th, 2014 @ 11:11 am

    […] Engineering a Better World: Bike Corn-Sheller – Using Drones to Deliver Medical Supplies in Roadless Areas – Pay as You Go Solar in […]

Leave a Reply





« MicroRNAs Emerged Early in Evolution
Engineer Your Life »