Joshua Pearce

Joshua M. Pearce is an academic engineer at Western University[1] and Michigan Tech known for his work on protocrystallinity, photovoltaic technology, open-source-appropriate technology, and open-source hardware including RepRap 3D printers.

Joshua M. Pearce
Alma materThe Pennsylvania State University
Scientific career
Fieldsphotovoltaics, open-source-appropriate technology, materials engineering, protocrystallinity, open-source hardware
InstitutionsUniversity of Western Ontario, Michigan Tech, Queen's University
Doctoral advisorChristopher R. Wronski
WebsiteMichigan Tech Open Sustainability Technology Group

Dr. Pearce received his Ph.D. at The Pennsylvania State University, where his work on protocrystallinity helped develop low-cost amorphous silicon solar photovoltaic technology.[2] His solar research continues.[3][4] For example, his research group published a levelized cost of electricity study[5] on solar energy showed solar electricity was economically competitive with fossil fuels over wide geographic regions.[6][7] His research into BDRF modeling[8] of reflectors showed potential solar systems output increases of 30%.[9]

However, he is also a vocal advocate of an open-source approach to technical development.[10] For his work related to open-source nanotechnology,[11] Ars Technica compared him to American software freedom activist Richard Stallman.[12] He applied open-source 3-D printing and electronics to scientific equipment design,[13] where he has claimed both superior innovation and lower costs.[14][15] Reviewing his book Open-Source Lab, 3-D Printing Industry wrote, "This is a manual that every scientist should read and it holds a message so powerful and disruptive that the Anarchist Cookbook is a fairy tale in comparison."[16]

His research has shown that printing household items with a RepRap is less costly[17] and better for the environment[18] than purchasing conventionally manufactured goods. Similarly, his group developed the recyclebot, a waste plastic extruder, which drops the cost of 3D printing filament from $35/kg to ten cents per kg while making recycling even more environmentally beneficial.[19][20]

In 2013 his group released an open-source 3D printer capable of printing in steel, which cost less than US$1,200.[21][22] in order to encourage more rapid technological development according to Scientific American.[23] This cost reduction was significant as the New York Times reported commercial metal printers at the time cost over US$500,000.[24]

He further developed inexpensive methods such as SODIS to disinfect drinking water in the developing world, using sunlight, water bottles, and salt.[25] Recently, the MIT Sloan Management Review reported that Dr. Pearce has combined many of his research areas developing solar powered 3-D printers to drive sustainable development.[26]

Bibliography

References

  1. "Western News - Bringing open-source, sustainable tech to the fore". Western News. September 9, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  2. Pearce, Joshua M. (2004). "Control of Staebler-Wronski defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon for the de". Adsabs.harvard.edu. Bibcode:2004PhDT........88P. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "Efficiency breakthrough in solar thermal cells - Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production". Cospp.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  4. Herman K. Trabish (December 7, 2011). "New Study: Solar Grid Parity Is Here Today". Greentech Media. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  5. Branker, K.; Pathak, M. J. M.; Pearce, J. M. (December 1, 2011). "A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 15 (9): 4470–4482. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.104. S2CID 73523633.
  6. "Cost of solar falling according to Queen's study". CTVNews. December 7, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  7. "New Study: Solar Grid Parity Is Here Today". www.greentechmedia.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  8. Andrews, R. W.; Pollard, A.; Pearce, J. M. (November 1, 2015). "Photovoltaic System Performance Enhancement With Nontracking Planar Concentrators: Experimental Results and Bidirectional Reflectance Function (BDRF)-Based Modeling". IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics. 5 (6): 1626–1635. doi:10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2478064. ISSN 2156-3381. S2CID 40828010.
  9. "Researchers Discover How to Shine More Sunlight on Solar Panels, Increase Output By 30% | IHS Electronics360". electronics360.globalspec.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  10. Pearce, JM (September 14, 2012). "Podcast Interview". Science. Sciencemag.org. 337 (6100): 1303–4. Bibcode:2012Sci...337.1303P. doi:10.1126/science.1228183. PMID 22984059. S2CID 44722829. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  11. Timmer, John (November 21, 2012). "Stallman's got company: Researcher wants nanotech patent moratorium". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  12. Pearce, Joshua M. (2012). "Make nanotechnology research open-source". Nature. 491 (7425): 519–521. Bibcode:2012Natur.491..519P. doi:10.1038/491519a. PMID 23172198. S2CID 4366790.
  13. Pearce, Joshua M. (September 14, 2012). "Building Research Equipment with Free, Open-Source Hardware". Science. 337 (6100): 1303–1304. Bibcode:2012Sci...337.1303P. doi:10.1126/science.1228183. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 22984059. S2CID 44722829.
  14. "3D Printing Brings the Science Lab to Your Backyard". Popular Mechanics. September 13, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  15. McMurtrie, Beth (March 29, 2013). "Lab Equipment Made With 3-D Printers Could Cut Costs by 97% - Percolator - The Chronicle of Higher Education". Chronicle.com. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  16. Sher, Davide. "Prof. Pearce's "Open-Source Lab" Unleashes the Power of 3D Printed Lab Equipment". 3D Printing Industry. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  17. Study: At-home 3-D printing could save consumers 'thousands' - CNN, 7/31/2013
  18. 3D printers use less energy than traditional manufacturing - Gigaom - available http://gigaom.com/2013/10/03/3d-printers-use-less-energy-than-traditional-manufacturing/ 3/10/2013.
  19. Michigan Tech Prof Says You Can Save Big With Milk Jug Recycling For 3D Printing - CBS 3/5/2014
  20. Need 3D printer filament? Got milk? - Ars Technica
  21. Loose screw? 3-D printer may soon forge you a new one - NBC News
  22. Testing your metal- Newsweek
  23. "New 3-D Metal Printer is Open Source and Affordable". Scientific American.
  24. An Inexpensive Way to Print Out Metal Parts - The New York Times, 2013/12/10/
  25. Cuda, Gretchen (May 8, 2012). "Recipe For Safer Drinking Water? Add Sun, Salt And Lime : The Salt". NPR. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  26. Unruh, Gregory (February 12, 2016). "The Revolution Will Be Customized (and Recycled and Solar-Powered)". MIT Sloan Management Review. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
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