Shawn Frayne
biography :: conference marerials
Shawn Frayne is a recent graduate of MIT; for
the past two years he has been part of Amy Smith's continuing effort to design
technologies for developing countries. His involvement began as an undergraduate
when he participated in a design seminar focusing on creating useful technologies
for rural Haiti. Today, he continues to learn more about the field of appropriate
technology as a research assistant in the development of several inventions,
including an inexpensive peanut sheller and a process for converting sugarcane
waste into charcoal. Last summer, Frayne traveled to Haiti, where his classroom
experiences were expanded dramatically. He recently joined the MIT initiative
to create new course materials for classes about engineering for developing
countries. In addition to building on these innovations, Frayne is developing
several devices of his own conception in fields ranging from packaging materials
to alternative energy. He is currently drafting his first patent application.