Holly Martin's Blog

Posted by Holly Martin

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recently awarded Professor Bernard Amadei, of the University of Colorado at Boulder, the 2007 Hoover Medal for his work with students on international community development projects.

Prof. Amadei was honored for founding the humanitarian non-profit Engineers Without Borders (EWB). The group, which Amadei started in 2001, now claims over 230 student and professional chapters--and about 8.000 members--worldwide.

EWB students from universities all over the world travel to remote locations to help provide basics such as clean water, sanitation, housing, food production and electrical power for communties in the developing world, often as part of their required senior projects. Their focus is on sustainable solutions that local citizens can help build, and can maintain once the students are gone. Engineering professionals provide guidance and oversight to the students.

And the students receive more than just a grade in return for their hard work--they also gain practical experience, a global awareness, and the chance to really make a difference in other peoples' lives.

The EWB also provides ways for engineering and non-engineering volunteers and donors to contribute to the lives of others in a significant way.

To make a donation to EWB, visit their donations web page.

Posted by Holly Martin

When President Bush signed the Clean Energy Act of 2007 on Dec. 19, engineers and scientists working on renewable energy technologies received a boost to their efforts, both psychologically and practically.

The Act has something for everyone in the renewable energy field:

• Grants and subsidies for biofuels research and implementation;
• Vehicle efficiency and fuel economy standards;
• Standards for energy efficiency through advanced lighting technologies, such as CFLs and LEDs;
• Funding of a photovoltaic energy installation at the DOE Headquarters;
• Requirements for solar hot water heater use in new federal buildings;
• Marine and hydrokinetic (river flow) energy research;
• Carbon capture and storage research;
• Research on energy efficiency for appliances and buildings;
• Continued insurance protection for nuclear power plants.