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• 1. [Article] Presentation: Proving Sustainability: The International Development Monitoring Initiative

  Presentation detailing the activities and products of the Sustainable Water, Energy and Environmental Technologies Laboratory at Portland State University (SWEETLab). The lab also works to develop standards ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Presentation: Proving Sustainability: The International Development Monitoring Initiative Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2011 Presentation detailing the activities and products of the Sustainable Water, Energy and Environmental Technologies Laboratory at Portland State University (SWEETLab). The lab also works to develop standards to help evaluate and compare projects and outcomes around the world. Water treatment and sanitation practices, as well as newly designed cookstoves, are highlighted. Title: Presentation: Proving Sustainability: The International Development Monitoring Initiative Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2011 Presentation detailing the activities and products of the Sustainable Water, Energy and Environmental Technologies Laboratory at Portland State University (SWEETLab). The lab also works to develop standards to help evaluate and compare projects and outcomes around the world. Water treatment and sanitation practices, as well as newly designed cookstoves, are highlighted. Close

• 2. [Article] Improving Global Impact: How the Integration of Remotely Reporting Sensors in Water Projects may Demonstrate and Enhance Positive Change

  This article argues that improved feedback on the actual impact of development programs may ensure the success of poverty reduction interventions such as water filters, water pumps, latrines, and cooks...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Improving Global Impact: How the Integration of Remotely Reporting Sensors in Water Projects may Demonstrate and Enhance Positive Change Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2013 This article argues that improved feedback on the actual impact of development programs may ensure the success of poverty reduction interventions such as water filters, water pumps, latrines, and cookstoves. Title: Improving Global Impact: How the Integration of Remotely Reporting Sensors in Water Projects may Demonstrate and Enhance Positive Change Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2013 This article argues that improved feedback on the actual impact of development programs may ensure the success of poverty reduction interventions such as water filters, water pumps, latrines, and cookstoves. Close

• 3. [Article] Developing Sustainable Life Support System Concepts

  Sustainable spacecraft life support concepts may allow the development of more reliable technologies for long-duration space missions. Currently, life support technologies at different levels of development ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Developing Sustainable Life Support System Concepts Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2010 Sustainable spacecraft life support concepts may allow the development of more reliable technologies for long-duration space missions. Currently, life support technologies at different levels of development are not well evaluated against each other, and evaluation methods do not account for long-term reliability and sustainability of the hardware. This paper presents point-of-departure Sustainable System Mass (SSM) evaluation criteria for life support systems that may allow more robust technology development, testing, and comparison. An example sustainable water recovery system concept is presented. Title: Developing Sustainable Life Support System Concepts Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2010 Sustainable spacecraft life support concepts may allow the development of more reliable technologies for long-duration space missions. Currently, life support technologies at different levels of development are not well evaluated against each other, and evaluation methods do not account for long-term reliability and sustainability of the hardware. This paper presents point-of-departure Sustainable System Mass (SSM) evaluation criteria for life support systems that may allow more robust technology development, testing, and comparison. An example sustainable water recovery system concept is presented. Close

• 4. [Article] Making Gains in Rwanda: It Will Take New Business Models, not Small Donations, to Provide Meaningful Development

  Nearly a billion people in the world drink dirty water. Two billion don't have a sanitary toilet. Three billion use campfires every day. Governments and charities spend billions of dollars every year to ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Making Gains in Rwanda: It Will Take New Business Models, not Small Donations, to Provide Meaningful Development Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2015 Nearly a billion people in the world drink dirty water. Two billion don't have a sanitary toilet. Three billion use campfires every day. Governments and charities spend billions of dollars every year to address these problems. And there are big successes in some places, but more innovation is needed. Title: Making Gains in Rwanda: It Will Take New Business Models, not Small Donations, to Provide Meaningful Development Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2015 Nearly a billion people in the world drink dirty water. Two billion don't have a sanitary toilet. Three billion use campfires every day. Governments and charities spend billions of dollars every year to address these problems. And there are big successes in some places, but more innovation is needed. Close

• 5. [Article] A Model for Sustainable Humanitarian Engineering Projects

  The engineering profession should embrace a new mission statement?to contribute to the building of a more sustainable, stable, and equitable world. Recently, engineering students and professionals in the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Model for Sustainable Humanitarian Engineering Projects Author: Thomas, Evan A., Amadei, Bernard, Sandekian, Robyn Year: 2009 The engineering profession should embrace a new mission statement?to contribute to the building of a more sustainable, stable, and equitable world. Recently, engineering students and professionals in the United States have shown strong interest in directly addressing the needs of developing communities worldwide. That interest has taken the form of short-and medium-term international trips through Engineers Without Borders?USA and similar organizations. There are also several instances where this kind of outreach work has been integrated into engineering education at various US institutions such as the University of Colorado at Boulder. This paper addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with balancing two goals in engineering for humanitarian development projects: (i) effective sustainable community development, and (ii) meaningful education of engineers. Guiding principles necessary to meet those two goals are proposed. Title: A Model for Sustainable Humanitarian Engineering Projects Author: Thomas, Evan A., Amadei, Bernard, Sandekian, Robyn Year: 2009 The engineering profession should embrace a new mission statement?to contribute to the building of a more sustainable, stable, and equitable world. Recently, engineering students and professionals in the United States have shown strong interest in directly addressing the needs of developing communities worldwide. That interest has taken the form of short-and medium-term international trips through Engineers Without Borders?USA and similar organizations. There are also several instances where this kind of outreach work has been integrated into engineering education at various US institutions such as the University of Colorado at Boulder. This paper addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with balancing two goals in engineering for humanitarian development projects: (i) effective sustainable community development, and (ii) meaningful education of engineers. Guiding principles necessary to meet those two goals are proposed. Close

• 6. [Article] Engineering Education Through Service-Learning in Developing Communities: Two Case Studies

  This paper provides case studies of two service learning projects that University of Colorado at Boulder (CU-Boulder) students are integrating into their academic experience. The projects focus on developing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Engineering Education Through Service-Learning in Developing Communities: Two Case Studies Author: Thomas, Evan A., Azman, Andrew Year: 2006 This paper provides case studies of two service learning projects that University of Colorado at Boulder (CU-Boulder) students are integrating into their academic experience. The projects focus on developing communities and are managed under the auspices of Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA), a group founded by Dr. Bernard Amadei, Professor of Civil Engineering at CU-Boulder. These projects expand students? understanding of the social value of their chosen profession, and expose them to a type of engineering significantly different than what is presented in most of their classes. Specifically, focusing on developing communities provides students with the opportunity to design solutions to some of the problems faced by the five billion people on our planet who are poor. It also challenges engineering students to identify vital non-technical issues which may be the greatest roadblocks to poverty alleviation through sustainable community development. Title: Engineering Education Through Service-Learning in Developing Communities: Two Case Studies Author: Thomas, Evan A., Azman, Andrew Year: 2006 This paper provides case studies of two service learning projects that University of Colorado at Boulder (CU-Boulder) students are integrating into their academic experience. The projects focus on developing communities and are managed under the auspices of Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA), a group founded by Dr. Bernard Amadei, Professor of Civil Engineering at CU-Boulder. These projects expand students? understanding of the social value of their chosen profession, and expose them to a type of engineering significantly different than what is presented in most of their classes. Specifically, focusing on developing communities provides students with the opportunity to design solutions to some of the problems faced by the five billion people on our planet who are poor. It also challenges engineering students to identify vital non-technical issues which may be the greatest roadblocks to poverty alleviation through sustainable community development. Close

• 7. [Article] Social Innovation Concepts at NASA: Integrating International Development Challenges and Hands-On Prototyping with Spacecraft Design Training

  The NASA Johnson Space Center Social Innovation program has been designed to encourage innovation within the NASA community that benefits both NASA's core mission as well as human needs domestically and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Social Innovation Concepts at NASA: Integrating International Development Challenges and Hands-On Prototyping with Spacecraft Design Training Author: Yowell, Leonard, Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2011 The NASA Johnson Space Center Social Innovation program has been designed to encourage innovation within the NASA community that benefits both NASA's core mission as well as human needs domestically and internationally. By encouraging internal and external collaboration and providing resources including the new Johnson Space Center "Sandbox" design shop, new innovations are anticipated. Technologies developed for the human exploration of space share similar requirements with appropriate technology for the developing world. The technology goals of keeping people alive in a difficult environment involve addressing requirements for low maintenance and robustness and often include using renewable energy sources. Technologies developed to address these challenges have crossover between these engineering fields. Innovations in either field may have applicability in both. This program is intended to be an alternative method of developing technologies and expertise within the NASA community, while simultaneously demonstrating NASA relevance and contribution to improving life here on Earth. By recognizing that innovation can come from unexplored and unexpected places, this program can create an environment where NASA engineers are able to collaborate with non-traditional partners in addressing critical NASA needs. Title: Social Innovation Concepts at NASA: Integrating International Development Challenges and Hands-On Prototyping with Spacecraft Design Training Author: Yowell, Leonard, Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2011 The NASA Johnson Space Center Social Innovation program has been designed to encourage innovation within the NASA community that benefits both NASA's core mission as well as human needs domestically and internationally. By encouraging internal and external collaboration and providing resources including the new Johnson Space Center "Sandbox" design shop, new innovations are anticipated. Technologies developed for the human exploration of space share similar requirements with appropriate technology for the developing world. The technology goals of keeping people alive in a difficult environment involve addressing requirements for low maintenance and robustness and often include using renewable energy sources. Technologies developed to address these challenges have crossover between these engineering fields. Innovations in either field may have applicability in both. This program is intended to be an alternative method of developing technologies and expertise within the NASA community, while simultaneously demonstrating NASA relevance and contribution to improving life here on Earth. By recognizing that innovation can come from unexplored and unexpected places, this program can create an environment where NASA engineers are able to collaborate with non-traditional partners in addressing critical NASA needs. Close

• 8. [Article] Measuring Sustainability

  The World Health Organization estimates that 884 million people do not have access to safe sources of drinking water. Meanwhile, about half of the world's population continues to use unsustainable, biomassbased ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Measuring Sustainability Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2012 The World Health Organization estimates that 884 million people do not have access to safe sources of drinking water. Meanwhile, about half of the world's population continues to use unsustainable, biomassbased energy sources for indoor fuel, leading to extensive deforestation, harmful indoor air emissions, and in many cases upper respiratory disease and high commodity costs for impoverished families. Exacerbating these problems are the international effects of climate change, expected to significantly impact developing countries by changing water and energy quality and availability. International development organizations work tirelessly to address these challenges. However, many efforts struggle with achieving long-term sustainability; many well-intentioned programs fail when their ambition is not matched by the financial sustainability and objective performance of data collection. Our team is studying these gaps, and we have proposed several concepts that seek to provide built-in accountability and sustainability mechanisms. Title: Measuring Sustainability Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2012 The World Health Organization estimates that 884 million people do not have access to safe sources of drinking water. Meanwhile, about half of the world's population continues to use unsustainable, biomassbased energy sources for indoor fuel, leading to extensive deforestation, harmful indoor air emissions, and in many cases upper respiratory disease and high commodity costs for impoverished families. Exacerbating these problems are the international effects of climate change, expected to significantly impact developing countries by changing water and energy quality and availability. International development organizations work tirelessly to address these challenges. However, many efforts struggle with achieving long-term sustainability; many well-intentioned programs fail when their ambition is not matched by the financial sustainability and objective performance of data collection. Our team is studying these gaps, and we have proposed several concepts that seek to provide built-in accountability and sustainability mechanisms. Close

• 9. [Article] Sustainable Oxygen: A low power approach for providing emergency medical oxygen for spacecraft and hospitals in developing countries

  An oxygen concentrator targeting an 80% reduction in power demand over commercial systems is being developed using a pressure swing adsorption process. This system is targeted for a service interval five ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sustainable Oxygen: A low power approach for providing emergency medical oxygen for spacecraft and hospitals in developing countries Author: Huff, Anndee L., Rhead, Evan, Zumr, Zdenek, Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2011 An oxygen concentrator targeting an 80% reduction in power demand over commercial systems is being developed using a pressure swing adsorption process. This system is targeted for a service interval five times longer than commercial systems, and is tolerant to high humidity environments- the leading cause of device failure in developing countries. This system could provide emergency medical oxygen in a spacecraft without increasing oxygen concentration in the vehicle. Flight surgeons seek this capability, but presently, there is no system that meets power, size, and delivery rate requirements. This type of system is also well suited for medical oxygen in hospitals in developing countries. Pneumonia accounts for 5% of all childhood deaths in Africa, and a lack of medical oxygen contributes to mortality rates. This new approach involves a high flow - low power - low purity device. The process proposes a regenerative blower instead of a piston compressor, a humidity tolerant sorbent, and a non-traditional separation cycle. Title: Sustainable Oxygen: A low power approach for providing emergency medical oxygen for spacecraft and hospitals in developing countries Author: Huff, Anndee L., Rhead, Evan, Zumr, Zdenek, Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2011 An oxygen concentrator targeting an 80% reduction in power demand over commercial systems is being developed using a pressure swing adsorption process. This system is targeted for a service interval five times longer than commercial systems, and is tolerant to high humidity environments- the leading cause of device failure in developing countries. This system could provide emergency medical oxygen in a spacecraft without increasing oxygen concentration in the vehicle. Flight surgeons seek this capability, but presently, there is no system that meets power, size, and delivery rate requirements. This type of system is also well suited for medical oxygen in hospitals in developing countries. Pneumonia accounts for 5% of all childhood deaths in Africa, and a lack of medical oxygen contributes to mortality rates. This new approach involves a high flow - low power - low purity device. The process proposes a regenerative blower instead of a piston compressor, a humidity tolerant sorbent, and a non-traditional separation cycle. Close

• 10. [Article] Leveraging Carbon Financing to Enable Accountable Water Treatment Programs

  This article outlines the technical premise and policy considerations surrounding the first program to generate carbon finance for drinking water treatment.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Leveraging Carbon Financing to Enable Accountable Water Treatment Programs Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2012 This article outlines the technical premise and policy considerations surrounding the first program to generate carbon finance for drinking water treatment. Title: Leveraging Carbon Financing to Enable Accountable Water Treatment Programs Author: Thomas, Evan A. Year: 2012 This article outlines the technical premise and policy considerations surrounding the first program to generate carbon finance for drinking water treatment. Close