envirofit

Time Magazine 2009 Green Heroes

Heroes of the Environment 2009 -- Our green heroes are informed by this simple notion: We can all make a difference.

For millions of women in developing countries, the simple act of preparing a meal is a hazardous activity. Every time they cook on a traditional wood, coal or animal-dung stove, which is to say a couple of times a day, their homes are filled with toxic by-products such as benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Little wonder that such stoves are blamed for killing 1.6 million people every year, more than 85% of them women or children under 5. Traditional stoves are also highly inefficient, and their soot is second only to carbon dioxide emissions in speeding up global warming.

Which is why when Nathan Lorenz, 31, and Tim Bauer, 32, of Colorado State University learned about those problems, they knew they could help. Envirofit partnered with the Shell Foundation charity and in 2008 introduced a range of virtually smokeless stoves that since their launch have helped thousands of families in India breathe easier. Engineered to burn poisonous fumes and particles before they escape into the air, the stoves reduce toxic emissions by up to 80% and fuel consumption by some 60%.

International Design Excellence Award 2009

The cookstove design and development teams at Envirofit International and the Engines and Energy Conversion Lab (EECL) at Colorado State University have won a Bronze IDEA for Envirofit's clean cookstove in the Ecodesign category in the 2009 International Design Excellence Awards. The winners of the 2009 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) competition-a celebration of year's most innovative and exciting product designs and one of the world's most prestigious and recognizable design competitions-exhibit a focus on sustainability, functionality and, breathtaking aesthetics. The Envirofit S-2100 clean cookstove is an example of a recent trend of the IDEA award and its sponsors, BusinessWeek, the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Target and Autodesk, toward honoring products designed for underserved or underprivileged markets.

2008 - Popular Science - Best of What's New in Green Technology

Envirofit Clean Cookstove -- Winner -- Green Tech category. The 21st annual Best of What's New celebrates 100 breakthroughs that, whether long awaited or completely unexpected, are equally amazing.

2009 - Scientific American 10: Guiding Science for Humanity

Dr. Bryan Willson -- co-founder of Envirofit and co-director of the Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory at Colorado State University - named one of the inaugural Scientific American 10, along with such prestigous company as Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg,

Ten researchers, politicians, business executives and philanthropists who have recently demonstrated outstanding commitment to assuring that the benefits of new technologies and knowledge will accrue to humanity. This year's Scientific American 10 pays tribute to the exceptional foresight and accomplishment of a select group whose achievements, particularly during the past year, stand out from those of their peers. The 10 winners have demonstrated that establishing a public health program or running a green business requires more than administrative efficiency and good public relations. Bringing creativity to bear in overcoming institutional and bureaucratic impediments to adoption of not just new technology but innovative procedural methods is crucial for improving health care and the environment.

2009 - Red Herring - North America 100

To be selected as a Red Herring 100 winner or finalist is a mark of distinction and high honor. Only 200 companies are chosen as finalists out of a pool of thousands. To decide on these companies the Red Herring editorial team diligently surveys entrepreneurship around the globe. Technology industry executives, investors, and observers regard the Red Herring 100 lists as invaluable instruments to discover and advocate the promising startups that will lead the next wave of disruption and innovation.

2008 - The Rolex Award for Enterprise - Laureate

Tim Bauer -- Envirofit Vice President of Operations - 2008 Rolex Award for Enterprise Laureate.

In Asia, the ubiquitous motorised tricycle with its two-stroke engine is a major cause of air pollution. Working in the Philippines, American mechanical engineer Tim Bauer and his team have developed a kit to reconfigure these machines, drastically reducing their noxious emissions.

Established in 1976 to foster a spirit of individual enterprise around the world, the Rolex Awards recognise pioneering projects that demonstrate innovative thought and contribute to the betterment of humankind. 25,800 applications received and evaluated since the Awards were founded in 1976. Only 110 laureates have been selected.

2008 - Tech Museum of Innovation -- Environment Award Laureate

Envirofit International -- 2005 Environment Award Laureate

The Tech Awards is an international awards program that honors innovators from around the world who are applying technology to benefit humanity.
 For these awards, the museum received 560 nominations from 80 countries, and then chose 10 technologies from among these 560.

The Tech Awards program inspires global engagement in applying technology to humanity's most pressing problems by recognizing the best of those who are utilizing innovative technology solutions to address the most urgent critical issues facing our planet. People all over the world are profoundly improving the human condition in the areas of education, equality, environment, health, and economic development through the use of technology. It is the goal of The Tech Awards to showcase their compelling stories and reward their brilliant accomplishments.

2008 - Royal Award for Sustainable Technology Transfer

The 2008 Royal Award for Sustainable Technology Transfer, protected by HRH Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, was presented to Colorado State University's Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory at Copenmind this week for clean tech innovations in three different areas: Envirofit International's international clean cookstove project, Envirofit International's two-stroke engine conversion kit and Solix's next generation of biofuels production from algae.

Copenmind is a groundbreaking exhibition and conference dedicated to research, technology and innovation through university-industry partnerships - will create a global and dedicated forum enabling commercial matchmaking between university exhibitors and industry executives on a scale that has never been seen before. The theme for 2008 was cleantech, specifically the role of technology in solving global environment and climate challenges.

2007 - World Clean Energy Award for Transport and Mobility

The World Clean Energy Awards are prestigious honors which recognize accomplished projects in the energy efficiency and renewable energy realm. The Nominating Institutions and the Jury for the Awards comprise internationally renowned institutions and recognized experts in the energy field. The Awards provide a showcase for new standards in applying clean and renewable energy solutions. The focus is on implementation projects, which assist in moving from experimental and scientific research in cleaner energy technologies to integrated, broad use of these technologies.

2007 - World Bank Development Marketplace finalist

Development Marketplace (DM) is a competitive grant program administered by the World Bank and supported by various partners that identifies and funds innovative, early-stage projects with high potential for development impact. DM competitions - held at the global, regional and country level - attract ideas from a range of innovators, including civil society groups, social entrepreneurs, academia and businesses.

2007 - The Plenty 20 - Twenty companies that will change the world

From old-school Fortune 500 companies to start-ups barely out of first-round financing, businesses are committing big bucks to the green revolution. And while it seems like everyone's doing it these days, we think these 20 companies are the ones pushing the ecological envelope. Whether it's because of their reach, their potential, their influence, or the sheer genius of their innovations, we predict that each one will have a hand in changing the world in one way or another-sooner rather than later.

2006 - Stanford Social Innovation Review - Ten innovative technologies creating social change

Almost every day we read about some cool new technology that promises to change the world. Many of these products will indeed do that - but their impact will be greatest for those of us already living comfortable lives in industrialized nations. Meanwhile, most people in developing countries are left to contend with deadly diseases, smoggy air, dirty water, poor nutrition, widespread illiteracy, outdated tools, and unreliable electricity. Who creates gadgets to change their world?

The 10 social entrepreneurs profiled do. But they don't just invent gizmos. They also ask hard-nosed economic questions that help them understand their products' distribution, adoption, and maintenance. What's the payback period? Will users perceive enough financial return to part with their very hard-won cash?

Most of the enterprises profiled here are not in business to make a profit. Yet all apply the principles of running a commercial venture: clarify the value of the product, test the product extensively before launching it, and always listen to customers. Whether rich or poor, customers will let you know whether a product improves their lives.