NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2008 – In an example of the growing collaborative nature of the Internet, ASME has created a virtual community in which engineers and engineering students around the world are networking on the design of a human-powered water purification system.

The open-source project, which resides on the ASME Communities of Practice Web site on www.asme.org, will be an ongoing vehicle for technical exchange through May 2008 and culminate in the design of a practical and efficient water purifier for use in remote regions of the developing world as well as locations affected by natural disasters.  The system will be portable and powered by human energy, such as pedal power.    

Participants in ASME’s new virtual world can contribute knowledge and insights on the various technical considerations attending water purification systems, including filtration, maintenance, and use of solar and other supplemental sources of energy.

Monitoring the ASME site on a regular basis, five engineering students comprising the project design team will gather the input from the global engineering community and consider the information for component design.  The students are from the University of Miami, New Mexico State University, Western Kentucky University, Lunds University (Skane, Sweden), and Simon Bolivar University (Caracas, Venezuela).

The engineering team will build and display the prototype water purification system at Western Kentucky University in May.  The goal of the team is to create a final design that is technically feasible and demonstrates the potential for practical use and commercialization.

The ASME open-source project provides an opportunity for engineers worldwide to help solve a critical problem.  The Society is providing funding to Western Kentucky University as well as each of the participating students.

The team that is designing the water purifier was selected from among students who participated in the 2007 ASME Student Design Competition in November.  That competition is held annually in conjunction with the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition.

Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences.  ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the engineering and technology community.

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