Access to electricity is considered a basic right. But in some developing countries like Nigeria, the electricity supply is prone to interruption and some areas are completely off the grid. This can result in a medley of problems especially where electricity is needed most: hospitals.
Surgeons in the middle of an operation could be left in the dark during a power outage, forced to rely on back-up generators that have also proved unreliable in the past. Addressing this issue, 21-year-old Nigerian scientist Louise Jaiyeola Oduyoye designed a mobile medical battery called Neva.
According to TechPoint, a technology blog focused on innovation in Nigeria, Oduyoye’s device provides backup power to surgical theatres and it functions much like an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
But, unlike a UPS, Neva can be adapted to advanced situations giving it a dynamic edge. It contains replaceable lithium-ion battery packs, which pack enough energy to power life-saving machines during surgeries.
Oduyoye is a mechanical engineering student at the Loughborough University in the UK. She designed Neva as part of her course at the University of Derby. Her design would reduce the risks associated with power outages should it be made available in the country’s hospitals.
