Engineering for Change Debuts First Engineer-Curated Library of Technologies

Engineering for Change Debuts First Engineer-Curated Library of Technologies Designed to Improve the Quality of Life of Underserved Communities

The E4C Solutions Library Offers Users Worldwide Seamless Access to a Standardized, Searchable Platform, with Hundreds of “Technologies for Good”

NEW YORK, N.Y., Aug. 14, 2018—Engineering for Change (E4C), an international community of 1.1 million engineers for social good, today took the wraps off the most comprehensive and codified library of technological solutions designed for resource-constrained communities. The E4C Solutions Library is a visual and data-rich platform that offers users access to a searchable database of hundreds of affordable and innovative technologies designed to improve the quality of life of people-in-need worldwide.

The E4C Solutions Library is a comprehensive living selection of technologies that meet essential needs, each researched and reviewed by dozens of engineers who specialize in global development. The data in the Solutions Library consists of objective technical and market performance information that is normalized across all products, which allows for side-by-side comparison and analysis of market influences and user insights. Featured solutions span the agriculture, energy, habitat, health, information and communication technologies, sanitation, transport and water sectors.

With its Solutions Library, E4C seeks to bridge the divide between innovative design and the delivery of demand-driven solutions that demonstrate sustainability.

“Information about technologies developed for and used by those living in poverty is often scarce, disparate or inaccurate,” says Iana Aranda, president of Engineering for Change.“ These information gaps have consequences for both end-users as well as development engineers and practitioners–they inhibit sharing of best practices and lessons learned, knowledge of product performance and scalability, and effective implementation of solutions. Most worryingly, they limit transparency and accountability for poor quality or even unsafe products entering the market.”

E4C works with a variety of stakeholders to curate the technologies featured on the platform, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Siemens Stiftung, Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Tech (CAWST), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Rural Water Supply Network, and more. E4C also consults with its international community of expert advisors and leverages insights from global development engineers on staff to define the solutions set.

Inventors and organizations gain global visibility when their products and prototypes are featured in the Solutions Library. Entries are visible to E4C’s sizable community of engineers, academics, social entrepreneurs and development professionals.

“We started with zero entries in 2012. Today our database includes over 600 technologies, with more than 100 in development by our current cohort of Research Fellows,” added Aranda. “With its debut, the E4C Solutions Library becomes the only knowledge platform benchmarking technology for good.”

The Solutions Library is integrated into the E4C platform, which includes news, expert insights and webinars that provide context about the technology ecosystem–from market trends, regulations, end-user preferences and emerging players.

Visit E4C Solutions Library here:
https://www.engineeringforchange.org/solutions

What Problem is the E4C Solutions Library Trying to Solve [Video]:
https://youtu.be/empyVlGciJ0

About ASME
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. www.asme.org.

Media Contacts:
Peter Himler
Flatiron Communications LLC (for E4C)
phimler@flatironcomm.com
Google Voice: +1-516-308-1120
Twitter: @peterhimler

Isabelle Jetté
McPherson Strategies (for E4C)
isabelle@mcpstrategies.com
(m) +1-312-636-6390

Carolyn Torres
Engineering for Change
info@engineeringforchange.org