Each year, Engineering for Change compiles a list of prototypes to watch in the sector of technology for sustainable development. These technologies are recommended by our global network of engineering and design experts. This year we combed through technologies in design competitions and awardees of ASME ISHOW, recommendations from the heads of our Impact Projects program and recommendations made to our Solutions Library and through our social media. One rule: The design must be in development, or it must have recently undergone an upgrade. These are promising prototypes to watch in 2025.
M2X Modular Gas-to-Liquids plants
Photo: M2X Energy [published with permission]
M2X is producing a modular plant and Engineering for Change’s Impact Projects program supported the development. In 2023, the startup field-tested their first commercial-scale, trailer-based methanol production unit. They have since scaled up production in a new manufacturing facility.
M2X Energy’s Website: m2x.energy
Read more: These Modular Gas-to-Liquids Plants Could End Gas Flares
Laero’s Cyclau water reuse system
Cycleau is a compact graywater treatment system that can be installed as a retrofit. It works under sinks and in showers and laundry to convert the used graywater into drinking water. It removes more than 200 contaminants through a four-stage cleanign process. This device can cut water use by 80% and save 40% of water heater energy, according to the startup.
“The solution improves water reusage while also conserving the heat from heated water,” Leah Putman at Engineering for Change says. “The multiple benefits of circularity while improving water health make this an interesting medium term solution.”
Laero’s website: laero.org/cycleau
Uravu Lab’s Air-to-Water System
Photo: Andy Feliciotti / Unsplash
Uravu Labs Pvt Ltd is developing air-to-water technology that strips moisture from the air to produce drinking water. The startup is working with an Engineering for Change Impact Projects team to support their development of a 2,000 liter-per-day system.
The device absorbs moisture from the air using liquid salts, then heats the salts to release water. The technology promotes sustainable water sourcing that increases access to safe water and advances the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
E4C is supporting comprehensive structural design of Uravu’s system and 3D modeling for precise visualization and assembly of the components.The collaboration will employ simulation software to analyze airflow and fluid flow dynamics within the device, focusing on maximizing condensation rates and optimizing heat transfer to enhance energy efficiency.
Uravu Labs Pvt Ltd Website: uravulabs.com
Afya Lead’s Mkanda Salama for treating postpartum hemmorhage
Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world at 542 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 216 per 100,000 worldwide. The leading cause of death is postpartum hemmorhage. The startup Afya Lead in Dar es Salam, Tanzania, is developing a solution they call Mkanda Salama, a patented, non-invasive, affordable device designed to reduce postpartum hemmorhage. The device is an affordable, user-friendly belt that applies gentle pressure to the uterus. It requires no specialized training for use, making it ideal for resource-limited settings.
Afya Leads has established partnerships with major research institutions, including the National Institute of Medical Research and the Ifakara Health Institute. After completing their first minimum viable product, the startup is positioned for further field testing as they make progress in the healthcare sector.
Mkanda Salama is an awardee of ASME ISHOW Africa 2024.
Afya Leads Website: www.afyalead.co.tz
Novocycle’s direct recycling process for EV batteries
EV battery. Photo: spe.automotive (CC BY 2.0)
A surge of depleted electric vehicle batteries is expected to hit recycling plants within a decade as the batteries in today’s EV’s hit their end of life. Recyclers meanwhile are building capacity and searching for better recycling methods. Traditionally, smelting batteries in a furnace has been the most common method of recycling lithium-ion batteries, but the technique can recover only 40-60% of the material.
As an alternative, the Turkish startup Novocycle is developing a direct recycling process that has achieved more than 90% recovery. Their secret is to carefully dismantle the materials in the batteries through an automated process, then they chemically separate materials through a hydrometallurgical phase.
The biggest challenge, says co-founder Fatih Bosna, is sorting batteries, but new tools such as AI and machine learning are improving accuracy.
Novocycle’s Website: novocycle.com
Learn more: Innovators in EV Battery Recycling Are Challenging Incumbent Technology
Mega Gas biogas for community kitchens
The startup Mega Gas Alternative Energy Enterprise Ltd in Nairobi, Kenya, is developing a process for converting plastic waste into clean cooking biogas. Through their patented process, the venture converts and distributes biogas to their network of women entrepreneurs. Their community kitchens offer affordable, eco-friendly cooking solutions at (USD) $0.02 per hour, serving as social hubs for low-income households.
Mega gas has recently expanded with the launch of a new kitchen in Soweto. Supported by (USD) $50,000 in new funding, the startup has also upgraded infrastructure and machinery in their production facility, enhancing efficiency and capacity.
Mega Gas is an awardee of ASME ISHOW Africa 2024.
Mega Gas Website: www.megagasalternativeenergy.co.ke
Virridy’s Lume fecal sensor for water
Lume, by the startup Virridy, is a fully autonomous, Internet-connected sensor that detects E. coli in water. The presence of the bacterium implies fecal contamination of the water, and the device can provide early warning. Virridy spun out of the University of Colorado Boulder and is supported by the US National Science Foundation and Blues wireless.
Virridy’s team installed the sensors on chlorinated pumping systems in northern Kenya and in Rwanda.
Virridy is seeking beta testers for Lume and has begun field trials in communities in Kenya.
Virridy’s Website: virridy.com
Periwinkle Lab’s Ikshana urinary incontinence treatment
Periwinkle’s non-invasive wearable device, Ikshana, treats urinary incontinence in women. The startup spun out of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India, and is developing technologies to address pelvic floor health, including Ikshana. This wearable provides adaptive stimulation, discreetly integrated into shorts.
Periwinkle Labs recently secured a patent for Ikshana. The startup is a graduate of ASME IDEA Lab, where they refined their design to reduce costs and minimize waste. These improvements in affordability and accessibility improve their chances to deliver real impact in the health sector, Adam Horbinski at ISHOW and IDEA Lab says.
Periwinkle Labs is an awardee of ASME ISHOW India 2024.
Periwinkle Labs Website: periwinkle-labs.com
Airvitalize’s filterless outdoor air purification
Airvitalize is developing an outdoor air purification system that is filterless and easy to maintain. The Vita 1.0 captures particles in outdoor air and emits cleaner air for outdoor gatherings. The startup is targetting sporting events and public spaces such as parks as potential use cases, touting the benefits of cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Airvitalize have opened a pre-seed funding round and secured their first investor.
The startup is an awardee of ASME ISHOW North America 2024.
Airvitalize’s Website: www.airvitalize.tech
