Engineers from Boston Area are Winners in Social Innovation Competition

Inventors of high tech energy device to share $50K prize with two other innovators

NEW YORK, May 20, 2015 – Boston area residents Kamila Demkova and Maha Haji wowed a judging panel of successful businesspersons in Washington, D.C., on May 14, showing off Calwave, a technology that converts the surging power of ocean waves to useful energy to generate electricity or produce fresh water.

The socially-minded engineers and aspiring technology entrepreneurs were one of three winners in the 2015 ASME Innovation Showcase (ASME ISHOW) presented by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers to stimulate the development of practical hardware solutions to the environmental, economic, and social problems afflicting the globe.

Ten entrants in ASME ISHOW presented innovative design concepts in energy, food and agriculture, health, and other areas.

Demkova and Haji will collect more than $16,000 in prize money and receive a comprehensive design and engineering review to support the effort to market and finance the product.

"ASME launched ISHOW in light of research showing the lack of support for hardware innovators seeking entre into global markets," said Robert Sims, president of ASME. "The products in the competition all demonstrated the potential for making a social and environmental impact, while showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of tomorrow’s engineering problem-solvers and business leaders."

In ASME Innovation Showcase, the ten innovators pitched their products to judges, including leaders who are successful entrepreneurs and founders of venture-funded startup companies. The pitches outlined the engineering design attributes of the products and also outlined plans for manufacturing, implementation, marketing, and financing.

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. For more information visit www.asme.org.

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Deborah Wetzel
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