WEBVTT 00:00:00.050 --> 00:00:02.000 Do you see where I am seated? 00:00:02.001 --> 00:00:07.000 This is what we bring you on this episode of R&D Africa on AAU TV. 00:00:07.001 --> 00:00:12.000 The spotlight has been put on the young Lawrence Adjei, who has been able to make 00:00:12.001 --> 00:00:16.260 this electronic motorcycle from dead laptop batteries. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:17.890 Stay tuned. We'll bring you more. 00:00:26.050 --> 00:00:30.664 In an era where environmental protection, fitness and green travel 00:00:30.664 --> 00:00:34.092 are increasingly being valued and practiced by people, 00:00:34.402 --> 00:00:37.000 what comes to mind when transportation that allows you 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:38.614 to avoid road traffic congestion, 00:00:39.614 --> 00:00:42.000 be green and environmentally friendly is mentioned. 00:00:45.883 --> 00:00:49.930 Electric bicycles or e-bikes are equipped with electric devices 00:00:49.930 --> 00:00:52.509 activated to assist or replace peddling. 00:00:52.985 --> 00:00:55.000 They provide a number of benefits. 00:00:55.425 --> 00:00:59.522 They are fuel efficient, faster, reduces traffic congestion 00:00:59.522 --> 00:01:01.850 and are mostly non-pollutant. 00:01:04.020 --> 00:01:07.439 Inventors mainly rely on batteries such as lithium-ion, 00:01:07.641 --> 00:01:08.841 nickel-cadmium, 00:01:09.231 --> 00:01:10.852 lithium-cobalt batteries 00:01:10.921 --> 00:01:11.921 lead acid, 00:01:12.081 --> 00:01:13.801 nickel-metal hydrate, 00:01:13.801 --> 00:01:14.851 lithium-manganese 00:01:14.851 --> 00:01:18.000 and lithium-ion polymer batteries as the accessories. 00:01:18.845 --> 00:01:22.068 Interestingly, a young Ghanaian, Lawrence Adjei 00:01:22.068 --> 00:01:26.030 has added to the innovations in the electric bike industry. 00:01:26.030 --> 00:01:29.075 He uses sports laptop batteries, which he purchases 00:01:29.075 --> 00:01:34.430 from scrap yards and computer shops in Accra to make his unique e-bikes. 00:01:34.800 --> 00:01:38.182 He is known to be the first Ghanaian to make electric bicycles 00:01:38.182 --> 00:01:42.000 from sports laptop batteries and he is self-taught. 00:01:45.471 --> 00:01:50.088 I stay close to Lawrence and I happen to be his co-helper. 00:01:50.088 --> 00:01:52.222 This is not my first time riding. 00:01:52.472 --> 00:01:54.460 I've been riding for two years now. 00:01:54.460 --> 00:01:56.463 The experience is different. 00:01:56.621 --> 00:02:00.202 Different. I can't even compare because riding a normal bicycle... 00:02:00.202 --> 00:02:01.370 its full of pain. 00:02:01.370 --> 00:02:05.740 And then you actually admire the kind of kilometers you need to go. 00:02:06.001 --> 00:02:10.339 So this is really different compared to the ones I have ever used. 00:02:10.339 --> 00:02:13.700 This has three gears and then the others don't. 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:20.543 It has a brake which charges the battery back when applying, the others don't have. 00:02:21.001 --> 00:02:24.537 It has a USB spot which can charge your phone 00:02:24.537 --> 00:02:26.250 or use a USB light. 00:02:26.541 --> 00:02:28.254 Which the others don't have. 00:02:28.811 --> 00:02:32.062 And then it also has a bell, the others didn't have a bell. 00:02:32.962 --> 00:02:36.634 And then the brakes are instant stop. 00:02:36.794 --> 00:02:38.010 They stop instantly. 00:02:38.370 --> 00:02:40.525 Next. Coming to the battery, 00:02:40.525 --> 00:02:42.944 it has a large capacity, which you can even 00:02:43.204 --> 00:02:45.586 give a house a light. 00:02:49.275 --> 00:02:52.640 This is where Mr. Lawrence AJ makes all the inventions. 00:02:52.640 --> 00:02:55.647 This is where the creation of electric bicycles 00:02:55.647 --> 00:02:58.920 made out of dead laptop batteries happens and 00:02:58.920 --> 00:03:01.000 I'm currently here with Mr. Lawrence. 00:03:01.601 --> 00:03:03.656 Take us through the process involved in the 00:03:03.656 --> 00:03:07.000 usage of these batteries to make to make the electric bicycle. 00:03:07.481 --> 00:03:09.640 So you have the batteries here. 00:03:09.993 --> 00:03:11.986 So, you just crack them like this. 00:03:12.511 --> 00:03:15.121 You sometimes bend it or... 00:03:15.891 --> 00:03:16.891 or use a plier. 00:03:17.247 --> 00:03:18.267 Okay 00:03:21.533 --> 00:03:24.500 You can see that we don't use all the cells. 00:03:24.551 --> 00:03:26.054 This one is here, the bud. 00:03:26.784 --> 00:03:28.870 -Okay -You can't use this one, so 00:03:28.870 --> 00:03:30.063 You find a different one. 00:03:30.654 --> 00:03:31.753 Try another one. 00:03:38.610 --> 00:03:39.639 Same. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:42.665 This one is okay. So you take like the motherboard 00:03:42.665 --> 00:03:44.180 - of the battery. So... - Okay 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:45.439 So taking them off 00:03:46.058 --> 00:03:48.828 [Inaudible] 00:03:54.638 --> 00:03:56.965 Then take the cells out like this. 00:03:57.463 --> 00:03:58.503 Okay 00:04:00.391 --> 00:04:02.780 So in total, how many of these do you need? 00:04:03.001 --> 00:04:04.260 I need a lot, but 00:04:04.260 --> 00:04:05.991 I only have 6 batteries here. 00:04:05.991 --> 00:04:07.001 Okay 00:04:07.001 --> 00:04:12.000 Then you test it with the voltmeter to see whether they have some voltage inside. 00:04:12.001 --> 00:04:15.000 What is the average voltage you need in the batteries? 00:04:15.001 --> 00:04:17.588 I think like 2.5 volts. 2.5 volts is fine. 00:04:17.588 --> 00:04:19.131 - Okay - This one is good 00:04:19.131 --> 00:04:20.968 - Okay - So then we come here 00:04:20.968 --> 00:04:22.840 and test with this machine here. 00:04:22.840 --> 00:04:24.759 This one is called Opus. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:27.096 This one does the capacity testing. 00:04:27.096 --> 00:04:30.000 - Okay - So you place the cells inside like this. 00:04:30.001 --> 00:04:32.425 So you can see it charging, so... 00:04:32.425 --> 00:04:34.940 It will charge the batteries for like two hours 00:04:34.940 --> 00:04:36.470 - Okay - Only two hours 00:04:36.470 --> 00:04:43.000 After that, the machine will discharge the battery and give you the capacity. 00:04:43.159 --> 00:04:44.970 -Okay -Then we take it off. 00:04:44.970 --> 00:04:48.360 Then we write the capacity on it. 00:04:52.001 --> 00:04:53.951 Comparing the other things too 00:04:53.951 --> 00:04:58.000 It has a Bluetooth device in it, which you can use to program your phone. 00:04:58.270 --> 00:05:02.599 So imagine I'm going on a high speed, you can just drop 00:05:02.624 --> 00:05:05.000 it on your phone and then it will drop automatically. 00:05:05.001 --> 00:05:07.000 It doesn't matter the acceleration. 00:05:07.001 --> 00:05:10.000 For the other bikes, they don't have reverse. 00:05:10.001 --> 00:05:12.000 You just need to push them back like this. 00:05:12.001 --> 00:05:14.000 But then this one has a reverse. 00:05:14.001 --> 00:05:15.000 So there is no need. 00:05:15.001 --> 00:05:19.000 When the key is on, you just push the button and then you accelerate. 00:05:19.001 --> 00:05:21.919 It doesn't accelerate like you're on a top 00:05:21.931 --> 00:05:27.000 speed, but it's very strong and it takes you back slowly. 00:05:27.250 --> 00:05:31.000 No matter what obstacle, it will take you back slowly. 00:05:31.001 --> 00:05:34.000 I think this is all about. 00:05:34.001 --> 00:05:37.000 For the other bikes, we do have front shocks. 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:42.000 And then, front shocks, talking about this one, this is filled with air. 00:05:42.001 --> 00:05:43.000 It's different from the other one. 00:05:43.001 --> 00:05:47.000 The other one is a little air, but more of oil. 00:05:47.001 --> 00:05:51.000 But then this one is air, so you stop instantly. 00:05:51.001 --> 00:05:53.000 And you see for the back too. 00:05:53.001 --> 00:05:55.000 It's also different for the back. 00:05:55.150 --> 00:05:57.084 Actually, the other bikes, when you are riding 00:05:57.096 --> 00:06:01.000 and then you pass through a pothole, you feel some pains in your waist. 00:06:01.001 --> 00:06:02.000 But then this one, you don't feel. 00:06:02.001 --> 00:06:05.000 You just go through and then you're okay. 00:06:05.001 --> 00:06:08.165 So anytime you are riding this bike, it makes 00:06:08.177 --> 00:06:11.000 you feel like go more, go more, go more. 00:06:11.150 --> 00:06:14.700 It's really nice to have one of these bikes. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:20.625 My name is AJ Lawrence. 00:06:20.650 --> 00:06:23.000 I live in Kaswa in the central region of Ghana. 00:06:23.075 --> 00:06:25.934 At age 11, when Lawrence discovered his talent, 00:06:25.946 --> 00:06:31.000 he acquainted himself with playing with electronic gadgets such as computers. 00:06:31.425 --> 00:06:34.170 A year after his interest in that field grew, 00:06:34.182 --> 00:06:37.000 he picked up the mantle of repairing bicycles. 00:06:37.001 --> 00:06:40.000 Until date, he still repairs a number of bikes. 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:44.000 So far, Lawrence has made and sold four e-bikes made by himself. 00:06:44.125 --> 00:06:50.000 Current bicycle presents upgraded features from the ones he has made in the past. 00:06:50.001 --> 00:06:51.831 Professor Jay looks forward to contacting 00:06:51.843 --> 00:06:54.000 universities for collaborations and partnerships 00:06:54.250 --> 00:06:59.000 in order to take his innovative ideas to the next level. 00:06:59.001 --> 00:07:04.000 He has dreams of using solar to propel his bikes in future, but needs collaborations 00:07:04.001 --> 00:07:06.927 and partnerships with universities and technical 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:10.000 institutions to scale up production from prototype 00:07:10.450 --> 00:07:12.000 to commercialization. 00:07:12.150 --> 00:07:15.005 In such partnerships, he seeks to train technical 00:07:15.017 --> 00:07:18.000 students to improve their knowledge on electronics. 00:07:21.900 --> 00:07:23.761 I have a question. 00:07:23.786 --> 00:07:28.117 So this experiment only works when you are using the spot 00:07:28.142 --> 00:07:30.000 or dead laptop batteries or you can use brand new ones. 00:07:30.001 --> 00:07:31.000 You can use brand new ones for sure. 00:07:31.001 --> 00:07:32.000 Okay. 00:07:32.001 --> 00:07:33.000 Okay. 00:07:33.001 --> 00:07:36.000 So now on charging the bicycle, how is it charged? 00:07:36.001 --> 00:07:39.504 It's charged with this charger here. 00:07:39.529 --> 00:07:40.952 This one is a custom built charger. 00:07:40.977 --> 00:07:42.275 It's not like the normal charger. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:44.800 It will take like maybe 12 hours, 6 hours to charge. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:44.976 Okay. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:47.099 This one does around like 3 hours. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:47.671 Okay. 00:07:50.801 --> 00:07:52.500 And did you make it yourself? 00:07:52.501 --> 00:07:53.200 Yes. 00:07:53.201 --> 00:07:54.300 I bought the parts. 00:07:54.301 --> 00:07:55.100 Okay. 00:07:56.901 --> 00:07:59.700 So with the parts that you worked on, can you run us briefly 00:07:59.701 --> 00:08:02.200 through the process, how you came to that conclusion? 00:08:02.301 --> 00:08:04.800 For this one, it's a server power supply. 00:08:05.001 --> 00:08:06.000 Okay. 00:08:06.601 --> 00:08:07.500 It's in light service. 00:08:07.601 --> 00:08:11.326 You know, light service, they have a lot of computers inside. 00:08:11.450 --> 00:08:13.715 So they have very good processor. 00:08:14.265 --> 00:08:18.599 And this one here is called step up converter 00:08:18.679 --> 00:08:19.487 Okay 00:08:19.578 --> 00:08:22.318 So if you take 3 volts and pass 00:08:22.342 --> 00:08:25.175 Then it coverts you to 84 volts 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:27.199 Okay 00:08:27.223 --> 00:08:30.471 Now on the features of your bike 00:08:30.495 --> 00:08:35.655 What features does your bicycle have that ones in the market do not have? 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:38.252 This one has everything programmable. 00:08:38.276 --> 00:08:41.822 You can choose the programm that work on your phone. 00:08:41.846 --> 00:08:43.846 Okay, okay. 00:08:45.016 --> 00:08:48.289 It also has like phone charging to charge your phones. 00:08:48.992 --> 00:08:52.252 It also has Evergine brake. 00:08:52.276 --> 00:08:56.076 That means when you hit a break it charges a bike 00:08:56.673 --> 00:09:02.173 So like you don't try to use like Venoma Veperse to stop when you hit a break 00:09:02.197 --> 00:09:04.630 It does it instantly in a break 00:09:07.546 --> 00:09:10.433 How do you respond to support this project? 00:09:10.458 --> 00:09:11.866 How have you been doing it? 00:09:11.891 --> 00:09:13.170 Believing in myself. 00:09:16.943 --> 00:09:19.843 Okay, so my challenges when I was working on a bike 00:09:19.868 --> 00:09:23.000 was, at first I didn't have a welding machine and a spray machine. 00:09:23.001 --> 00:09:26.000 So I take it to welders and sprayers. 00:09:26.001 --> 00:09:28.000 But they take your money and they wouldn't do the work. 00:09:28.001 --> 00:09:32.000 I decided to buy the welding machine and the spray machine. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:35.000 Then started learning welding and spraying myself. 00:09:35.001 --> 00:09:40.000 So it took me like a week or two to learn all. 00:09:40.001 --> 00:09:41.966 Sometimes my friends always discouraging me 00:09:41.978 --> 00:09:44.000 that it won't work and you're always wasting 00:09:44.001 --> 00:09:47.000 your time on this thing, go find a job and get some money. 00:09:47.001 --> 00:09:49.600 My challenges about financing is like sometimes 00:09:49.612 --> 00:09:53.000 I don't really get the money in bulk to buy the parts. 00:09:53.001 --> 00:09:54.920 So like I'll buy one maybe this month, the 00:09:54.932 --> 00:09:57.000 next month I'll buy the one and they all like 00:09:57.001 --> 00:10:00.000 take shipments, which like is a lot of cost. 00:10:00.001 --> 00:10:05.000 So when I get like funds to buy them in bulk, I think it will help the process. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:11.833 Lawrence intends to set up a permanent working 00:10:11.845 --> 00:10:15.000 place for himself, create employment for 00:10:15.001 --> 00:10:19.000 interested inventors and give back to society. 00:10:19.025 --> 00:10:21.937 Lawrence Adjei is not only putting the African 00:10:21.949 --> 00:10:25.000 continent on the map, he has also distinguished. 00:10:25.400 --> 00:10:28.188 himself as one of the many undiscovered great 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:32.000 minds in Africa who can do more with a little push. 00:10:32.001 --> 00:10:35.722 This is where we end this interesting, revealing 00:10:35.734 --> 00:10:40.000 and educative episode of R&D Africa on AAU TV. 00:10:40.001 --> 00:10:42.000 Don't forget that next time the spotlight could be put on you. 00:10:42.001 --> 00:10:45.094 So if you have any innovations or inventions 00:10:45.106 --> 00:10:49.001 out there, contact AAU TV and we'll be at your doorstep. 00:10:49.050 --> 00:10:52.013 Follow us on YouTube, on Facebook and on all 00:10:52.025 --> 00:10:55.000 our social media platforms for more content. 00:10:55.001 --> 00:10:57.000 My name is Maame Ekua Otuakoa Nyame. 00:10:57.001 --> 00:10:58.000 Until next time, it's a wrap! 00:10:58.001 --> 00:11:14.000 [Music].