Joshua Pearce

{{Short description|American engineer}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}

{{Infobox scientist

| name = Joshua M. Pearce

| image = Joshua Pearce.jpg

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| nationality = American, Canadian

| fields = photovoltaics, open-source-appropriate technology, materials engineering, protocrystallinity, open-source hardware, electrical engineering

| workplaces = University of Western Ontario, Michigan Tech, Queen's University

| alma_mater = The Pennsylvania State University

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| doctoral_advisor = Christopher R. Wronski

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| known_for = solar photovoltaics, open source hardware, distributed recycling and additive manufacturing, resilient food

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| website = {{URL|https://www.appropedia.org/User:J.M.Pearce|Appropedia User Page }}

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{{Resume-like|date=June 2025}}

Joshua M. Pearce is an academic engineer at Western University{{Cite web|date=2021-09-09|title=Western News - Bringing open-source, sustainable tech to the fore|url=https://news.westernu.ca/2021/09/joshua-pearce-open-source-sustainability/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=Western News|language=en-CA}} and a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.{{Cite web |title=The Canadian Academy of Engineering / L'Académie canadienne du génie |url=https://www.cae-acg.ca/directory/#/action/Alpha/value/P/cid/1498/id/2201/listingType/P |access-date=2025-05-05 |language=en-US}} He is known for his work on protocrystallinity, photovoltaic technology, agrivoltaics, open-source-appropriate technology, and open-source hardware including RepRap 3D printers and recyclebots.

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.{{cite journal|title=Control of Staebler-Wronski defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon for the de |publisher=Adsabs.harvard.edu |bibcode=2004PhDT........88P|last1=Pearce |first1=Joshua M. |year=2004 }} His solar research and outreach{{Cite web |date=2022-08-17 |title=Costs and benefits of solar panels {{!}} Expert Interview with Joshua Pearce |url=https://www.verifythis.com/video/news/verify/expert-interviews/costs-and-benefits-of-bolar-panels-expert-interview-with-joshua-pearce/536-d342043b-fb92-4b1c-bb19-4a26e2d7fd72 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=verifythis.com |language=en-US}} continues.{{cite web |url=http://www.cospp.com/articles/print/volume-14/issue-01/features/efficiency-breakthrough-in-solar-thermal-cells.html |title=Efficiency breakthrough in solar thermal cells - Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production |publisher=Cospp.com |access-date=2013-09-05 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204241/http://www.cospp.com/articles/print/volume-14/issue-01/features/efficiency-breakthrough-in-solar-thermal-cells.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|author=Herman K. Trabish |url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/New-Study-Solar-Grid-Parity-Is-Here-Today/ |title=New Study: Solar Grid Parity Is Here Today |publisher=Greentech Media |date=2011-12-07 |access-date=2013-09-05}} For example, his research group published a levelized cost of electricity study{{Cite journal

| last1 = Branker

| first1 = K.

| last2 = Pathak

| first2 = M. J. M.

| last3 = Pearce

| first3 = J. M.

| date = 2011-12-01

| title = A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity

| url = https://mtu.academia.edu/JoshuaPearce/Papers/1540664/A_Review_of_Solar_Photovoltaic_Levelized_Cost_of_Electricity

| journal = Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

| volume = 15

| issue = 9

| pages = 4470–4482

| doi = 10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.104

| bibcode = 2011RSERv..15.4470B

| s2cid = 73523633

| hdl = 1974/6879

| hdl-access = free

}} on solar energy showed solar electricity was economically competitive with fossil fuels over wide geographic regions.{{Cite web

| url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/cost-of-solar-falling-according-to-queen-s-study-1.736718

| title = Cost of solar falling according to Queen's study

| website = CTVNews

| date = December 7, 2011

| access-date = 2016-02-26

}}{{Cite web

| url = http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/New-Study-Solar-Grid-Parity-Is-Here-Today

| title = New Study: Solar Grid Parity Is Here Today

| website = www.greentechmedia.com

| access-date = 2016-02-26

}} and showed the value of solar (VOS) often exceeds the net metering rate.{{Cite journal |last1=Hayibo |first1=Koami Soulemane |last2=Pearce |first2=Joshua M. |date=2021-03-01 |title=A review of the value of solar methodology with a case study of the U.S. VOS |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032120308832 |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews |volume=137 |pages=110599 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2020.110599 |bibcode=2021RSERv.13710599H |issn=1364-0321|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-11 |title=Your Neighbor's Solar Panels Are Secretly Saving You Money |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a35474729/solar-panels-bring-down-energy-costs-for-everyone/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Popular Mechanics |language=en-US}} This makes solar attractive especially over underutilized areas like parking lots as pointed out by Vox.{{Cite web |last=Chakraborty |first=Ranjani |date=2023-09-27 |title=How to fight climate change with parking lots |url=https://www.vox.com/videos/23890834/parking-lots-solar-land-scarcity-climate |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Vox |language=en-US}} He showed 1% of Canada's agricultural land converted to agrivoltaics would rid the national grid if carbon emissions while increasing food.{{Cite web |last=Corp |first=Pelmorex |date=2023-04-25 |title=How just 1% of farmland could meet one third of Canada's energy needs |url=https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/climate/solutions/how-agrivoltaics-on-farmland-could-meet-one-third-of-canadas-energy-needs |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=The Weather Network |language=en-ca}} This can be done with animals as he showed even shepherds could make a good living taking care of 'solar sheep'.{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/agrivoltaics-paired-with-sheep-production-makes-nearly-100-of-land-grazable/ar-AA1x7hmh |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=www.msn.com}} The CBC has quoted him discussing this large potential of agrivoltaics to provide lower cost electricity while increasing food supplies.{{Cite news |last=Stephenson |first=Amanda |date=December 25, 2024 |title=How agrivoltaics is marrying food production with green energy in Alberta |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/agriculture-calgary-alberta-solar-energy-green-1.7418978 |access-date=May 5, 2025 |work=CBC}} His research into bidirectional reflectance distribution function modeling{{Cite journal

| last1 = Andrews

| first1 = R. W.

| last2 = Pollard

| first2 = A.

| last3 = Pearce

| first3 = J. M.

| date = 2015-11-01

| title = Photovoltaic System Performance Enhancement With Nontracking Planar Concentrators: Experimental Results and Bidirectional Reflectance Function (BDRF)-Based Modeling

| journal = IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

| volume = 5

| issue = 6

| pages = 1626–1635

| doi = 10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2478064

| s2cid = 40828010

| issn = 2156-3381

}} of reflectors showed potential solar systems output increases of 30%.{{Cite web

| url = http://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/5879/researchers-discover-how-to-shine-more-sunlight-on-solar-panels-increase-output-by-30

| title = Researchers Discover How to Shine More Sunlight on Solar Panels, Increase Output By 30% {{!}} IHS Electronics360

| website = electronics360.globalspec.com

| access-date = 2016-02-26

}} His research supports solar canopies for parking lots,{{Cite web |title=Climate Brief: Parking lot solar arrays are a smart, green idea; Himalayan glaciers shrinking fast |url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/1/1/2071926/-Climate-Brief-Parking-lot-solar-arrays-are-a-smart-green-idea-Himalayan-glaciers-shrinking-fast |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Daily Kos |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Solar Parking Lots Are a Win-Win Energy Idea. Why Aren't They the Norm? |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/solar-parking-lots-are-a-win-win-energy-idea-why-arent-they-the-norm/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=CNET |language=en}} floatovoltaics and aquavoltaics.{{Cite web |date=2019-02-11 |title=Floating solar farms: How 'floatovoltaics' could provide power without taking up valuable real estate |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/floating-solar-farms-how-floatovoltaics-could-provide-power-without-taking-ncna969091 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=NBC News |language=en}} In addition he promotes the DIY{{Cite web |title=You Can Make Your Own Solar Panels, and It's Easier Than You'd Think |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/how-to-make-a-solar-panel/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=CNET |language=en}} and maker movements,{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Dale |date=2020-10-30 |title=Make:cast - Make Anything with Open Source Projects |url=https://makezine.com/article/maker-news/makecast-make-anything-with-open-source-projects/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers |language=en-US}} with the release of To Catch the Sun as open access.{{Cite journal |last1=Grafman |first1=Lonny |last2=Pearce |first2=Joshua |date=2021-01-01 |title=To Catch the Sun |url=https://www.academia.edu/92967239 |journal=To Catch the Sun}}

He is also a vocal advocate of an open-source approach to technical development.{{cite journal|url=https://www.science.org/doi/suppl/10.1126/science.1228183 |title=Podcast Interview |doi=10.1126/science.1228183 |publisher=Sciencemag.org |date=2012-09-14 |access-date=2013-09-05 |pmid=22984059 |volume=337 |journal=Science |pages=1303–4 | last1 = Pearce | first1 = JM |issue=6100 |bibcode=2012Sci...337.1303P|s2cid=44722829 |url-access=subscription }} For his work related to open-source nanotechnology,{{cite web|last=Timmer |first=John |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2012/11/stallmans-got-company-researcher-wants-nanotech-patent-moratorium/ |title=Stallman's got company: Researcher wants nanotech patent moratorium |website=Ars Technica |date=2012-11-21 |access-date=2013-09-05}} Ars Technica compared him to American software freedom activist Richard Stallman.{{cite journal |last1=Pearce |first1=Joshua M.|title=Make nanotechnology research open-source |journal=Nature |year=2012 |volume=491|issue=7425|pages=519–521|doi= 10.1038/491519a |pmid=23172198 |bibcode=2012Natur.491..519P|s2cid=4366790|doi-access=free}} He applied open-source 3-D printing and electronics to scientific equipment design,{{Cite journal

| last = Pearce

| first = Joshua M.

| date = 2012-09-14

| title = Building Research Equipment with Free, Open-Source Hardware

| journal = Science

| language = en

| volume = 337

| issue = 6100

| pages = 1303–1304

| doi = 10.1126/science.1228183

| issn = 0036-8075

| pmid = 22984059

| bibcode = 2012Sci...337.1303P

| s2cid = 44722829

}} where he has claimed both superior innovation and lower costs.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/tools/3d-printing-brings-the-science-lab-to-your-backyard-12669407 |title=3D Printing Brings the Science Lab to Your Backyard |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=2012-09-13 |access-date=2013-09-05}}{{cite web|last=McMurtrie |first=Beth |url=https://chronicle.com/blogs/percolator/lab-equipment-made-with-3-d-printers-could-cut-costs-by-97 |title=Lab Equipment Made With 3-D Printers Could Cut Costs by 97% - Percolator - The Chronicle of Higher Education |publisher=Chronicle.com |date=2013-03-29 |access-date=2013-09-05}} 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."{{Cite web

| url = http://3dprintingindustry.com/2016/02/01/prof-pearces-open-source-lab-unleashes-the-power-of-3d-printed-lab-equipment/

| title = Prof. Pearce's "Open-Source Lab" Unleashes the Power of 3D Printed Lab Equipment

| last = Sher

| first = Davide

| website = 3D Printing Industry

| access-date = 2016-02-26

| archive-date = March 6, 2016

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306153400/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2016/02/01/prof-pearces-open-source-lab-unleashes-the-power-of-3d-printed-lab-equipment/

| url-status = dead

}} This work has extended to making frugal biomedical equipment and aids.{{Cite web |last=Isha |first=Bhargava |title=Need a walker? These Western University engineers have made it easier, cheaper to build your own |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/western-low-cost-walker-1.6870550 |website=CBC}}{{Cite web |title=Study at Western University on low cost auto injector |url=https://london.ctvnews.ca/video/c2727253-study-at-western-university-on-low-cost-auto-injector |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=london.ctvnews.ca |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-16 |title=Western University helps develop 3D-printed surgical table |url=https://london.ctvnews.ca/western-university-helps-develop-3d-printed-surgical-table-1.5990323 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=London |language=en}} For example, the Globe and Mail highlighted an open source 3D printable walker{{Cite news |date=2023-11-24 |title=Frugal innovation |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/adv/article-frugal-innovation/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}} as well as a CTV story on an open source surgical fracture table{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Kristylee |date=2022-07-16 |title=Western University helps develop 3D-printed surgical table |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/western-university-helps-develop-3d-printed-surgical-table/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=CTVNews |language=en}} developed in his lab.

His research has shown that printing household items with a RepRap is less costly[https://web.archive.org/web/20130803153513/http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/31/study-at-home-3-d-printing-could-save-consumers-thousands/ Study: At-home 3-D printing could save consumers 'thousands'] - CNN, 7/31/2013 and better for the environment3D printers use less energy than traditional manufacturing - Gigaom - available [https://web.archive.org/web/20131004131806/http://gigaom.com/2013/10/03/3d-printers-use-less-energy-than-traditional-manufacturing/] 3/10/2013. 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.[http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/03/05/michigan-tech-prof-says-you-can-save-big-with-milk-jug-recycling-for-3d-printing/ Michigan Tech Prof Says You Can Save Big With Milk Jug Recycling For 3D Printing] - CBS 3/5/2014[https://arstechnica.com/science/2014/03/need-3d-printer-filament-got-milk/ Need 3D printer filament? Got milk?] - Ars Technica He also helped develop the concept of fused granular fabrication (FGF) where shredded waste plastic is directly converted to products with the company re:3D.{{Cite web |last=Dankovich |first=Cali |date=2019-04-16 |title="Gigabot X" 3-D printer helps find new uses for recycled plastic |url=https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Gigabot-X-3-D-printer-helps-find-new-uses-for-recycled-plastic-508666071.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=www.uppermichiganssource.com |language=en}}

In 2013 his group released an open-source 3D printer capable of printing in steel, which cost less than US$1,200.[http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/loose-screw-3-d-printer-may-soon-forge-you-new-2D11678840 Loose screw? 3-D printer may soon forge you a new one] - NBC News[http://mag.newsweek.com/2013/12/06/testing-metal.html Testing your metal]- Newsweek in order to encourage more rapid technological development according to Scientific American.{{cite web | url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-3d-metal-printer-open-source-affordable/ | title=New 3-D Metal Printer is Open Source and Affordable | website=Scientific American }} This cost reduction was significant as the New York Times reported commercial metal printers at the time cost over US$500,000.[https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/science/an-inexpensive-way-to-print-out-metal-parts.html?_r=0 An Inexpensive Way to Print Out Metal Parts] - The New York Times, 2013/12/10/

He further developed inexpensive methods such as SODIS to disinfect drinking water in the developing world, using sunlight, water bottles, and salt.{{cite web|last=Cuda |first=Gretchen |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/05/07/152206711/recipe-for-safer-drinking-water-add-sun-salt-and-lime |title=Recipe For Safer Drinking Water? Add Sun, Salt And Lime : The Salt |publisher=NPR |date=2012-05-08 |access-date=2013-09-05}} He has called for corporate death penalties for industries that kill more people than they employ.{{Cite web |date=2019-02-24 |title=Coal and tobacco industries kill more Americans each year than they employ |url=https://bigthink.com/the-present/corporate-death-penalty/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Big Think |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite journal

| url = http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-revolution-will-be-customized-and-recycled-and-solar-powered/

| title = The Revolution Will Be Customized (and Recycled and Solar-Powered)

| journal = MIT Sloan Management Review

| date = February 12, 2016

| access-date = 2016-02-26

| last1 = Unruh

| first1 = Gregory

}}

Since his 2015 book with David Denkberger Feeding Everyone No Matter What: Managing Food Security After Global Catastrophe, he has worked on alternative food/ resilient food sources. For example, the New York Times commented on his work to feed astronauts through a complex process of converting asteroids to food.{{Cite news |last=Scoles |first=Sarah |date=2024-10-03 |title=The Food of Space Travel Could Be Based on Rocks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/science/asteroids-food-space.html |access-date=2025-05-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Similarly, the Toronto Star ran a story{{Cite web |last=Oved |first=Marco Chown |date=2024-04-25 |title=Protein bars from recycled plastic bottles? An indoor farm on wheels? Western prof gets innovative with green tech |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/protein-bars-from-recycled-plastic-bottles-an-indoor-farm-on-wheels-western-prof-gets-innovative/article_fb3d86a6-f2c0-11ee-a148-839e534f5cf7.html |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}} on his work to recycle waste plastic into protein bars as well as the use of an agrovoltaic agrotunnel{{Cite web |title=Agrivoltaic agrotunnel |url=https://www.appropedia.org/Agrivoltaic_agrotunnel |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Appropedia, the sustainability wiki |language=en}} to grow net zero energy food indoors year round. They quoted his graduate student: "“He is not content with merely advancing scientific knowledge; he is driven by a deep-seated desire to use that knowledge and push the boundaries to improve the lives of people everywhere,” she said. “He embodies the spirit of turning impossible dreams into reality, into feasible solutions.”