In order to contribute with adequate solutions both technologically, socially, culturally and environmentally, we have involved ourselves in the innovation of several technologies. Some of them are developed directly by our members or in joint venture with other befriended professionals who are part of our international interdisciplinary team.
Compost toilet with urine separator. Facing the scarcity of water on a global level and the severe problem of contamination generated by excretes and urine, every day it’s more necessary to search for sanitary alternatives where the amount of water is being reduced and the organic waste transformed into natural fertilizers through a controlled process of decomposition. CTW has done a lot of work related to these ecological toilets to which a special drying’s chamber has been added. Here, the sunrays accelerate the process and also eliminate pathogenic elements. We have participated in the design and building of some of these toilets both in Chile and Colombia.
Ice-producing solar fridge. This fridge uses the basic principles of refrigeration. It elevates the temperature of ammoniac gas mixed with nitrate salts. These, thanks to solar exposure, experiment a temperature-shock when passing through a receptacle with cold water. This rapid change of temperatures provokes, very quickly, the transformation of water into ice, inside an isolated appliance. This change in the gas can produce between 8 and 10 kilos of ice in one day, depending on weather conditions. We consider this kind of technology to be a significant contribution, first and foremost for people in arid areas with a lot of solar exposure where one doesn’t have other ways of generating cold.
Solar kitchen and parabola. Through these technologies it’s possible to cook food thanks to the heating of the sun. Facing serious problems of deforestation in rural areas caused by the use of wood for making fire and the economic dependency because of the use of non-renewable energy, it’s of great interest to promote the use of these artifacts which allow to take advantage of the sun for cooking food. This technology requires a relatively clear sky in order to function well. CTW has introduced these cheap technological alternatives in several local communities in Chile, Colombia and Guatemala, built partially with recycled materials.
Circular bed. This is a simple technique for intensive cultivation. It consists in elaborating a pile of fertilizers in several layers, of about 60-80 cms in total. Within a radius of no more than 2 mts. there can be produced a great variety of vegetables both in its surface and on its sides. CTW has introduced this efficient small-scale way of growing in several places, both in Latin America and Europe. This shows the viability of producing food even in reduced spaces, both in an urban and a rural setting, increasing self-sufficiency and food security of local population.
Growing potatoes in pneumatics. Earth and fertilizers are introduced into a used pneumatic, one plants 4-5 potatoes and according to the growth of the plant, one puts more pneumatics and fertilizers on top of the first one. This way, in a reduced space, it’s possible to grow several kilos of potatoes. This intensive growing technique allows a greater variety of food production in urban areas, showing the possibility we have of growing food in reduced spaces with very limited work and care.- Bioreactor. Through the use of a bioreactor, optimal conditions for decomposition is created. This technological artifact allows the reduction of 2m3 organic material to 0,5m3 in 3 weeks. In weight this means a reduction from 2 tons to 200
kilos, leaving an innocuous organic material, possible to be managed without any danger of contamination or disease. This material is further used to make humus by adding worms which continue the process of decomposition. Being able to reduce so much the volume of the organic material in the same place where it’s produced is an enormous contribution to the management of solid waste, first and foremost in urban areas. Here, we also have the advantage of receiving organic fertilizers of a very high quality allowing us to transform urban spaces into areas of food production. This technology, together with a series of other alternatives for transforming waste into resources, were developed by EMUH-Chile with whom we maintain a strategic alliance. We hope to introduce this solution to the waste-problem in many places. 
Hydroelectric turbines. At moments of large scale energy-production, provoking great environmental impact, without even mentioning the economic costs and the dependency created for the user, it’s important to make use of small water resources to install turbines and build small-scale hydroelectric power plants. Rafael Lucuara, Colombian engineer, part of the international team associated to CTW, has been developing several projects in order to install hydroelectric plants in rural areas of Colombia, making it possible for schools, villages and isolated communities to manage their own energy supply. We maintain a dialogue with entities and communities in Chile and Guatemala who are interested in this kind of renewable energy solutions.