K. Lisa Yang Global Engineering and Research (GEAR) Center
GEAR Center characterizes the unique technical and socioeconomic constraints of emerging markets, then combines these insights with engineering science to create high-performance, low-cost, globally-relevant technologies.
Our technologies aim to have a positive impact on the world and elucidate novel scientific & engineering knowledge.
The GEAR Center is directed by Professor Amos Winter in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT.
News
Prof Amos Winter joins NPR: Here & Now Anytime to discuss GEAR Center’s work on desalination
“Desalination — pulling fresh, drinkable water from saltwater— can offer some relief in areas facing water shortages. Robert Bergstrom, CEO of OceanWell, explains how the company's desalination pods work. And mechanical engineer Amos Winter details how his team uses an electrodialysis system to purify groundwater.”
Audio: Creating clean water, from extreme recycling to solar desalination — April 25, 2025
Article: In search of clean water, scientists are improving desalination technology — April 23, 2025
Prof Amos Winter joins the MIT Energy Initiative to discuss unconventional paths to energy efficiency
“Large parts of the world don’t have access to energy. So how do we encourage cleaner sources when for many people that’s not the real priority? According to Amos Winter, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, the key is to find solutions that allow people to do what they want but are by default better for the environment. He highlights the importance of understanding people’s lives when developing technologies and how these innovations might even have unforeseen implications for other communities across the world, helping us find new ways to power our lives with less energy required.”
GEAR Center Desalination team members present at IDRA World Congress in Abu Dhabi
Students Melissa Brei, Jonathan Bessette, and staff engineer Shane Pratt traveled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to present their work on desalination at the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) World Congress. Brei presented work on home-scale electrodialysis desalination modeling in the context of point-of-use purifiers in India. Bessette and Pratt presented their work developing power electronics which enable fully batteryless, more efficient solar desalination using photovoltaic electrodialysis.
Left to right: Pratt, Brei, Prof. Natasha Wright, Bessette, Prof. Hatim Sharif, Bashayer Alzahmi at a date palm farm investigating the potential for brackish water desalination
Pratt & Bessette presenting their work on multi-converter MPPTs
Melissa Brei with Prof. Amos Winter at the IDRA World CongressGlobal by Design by Prof Amos Winter and Prof Vijay Govindarajan Available for Pre-Order
A new book by GEAR Center Prof Amos Winter and Dartmouth School of Business Prof Vijay Govindarajan is now available for pre-order on Amazon.
The book will combine the experience of Winter and Govindarajan to deliver a practical approach to solving wicked problems facing the world and capturing the economic opportunities presented by emerging markets.
The book will fully release on July 15, 2025 and is currently available for preorder on Amazon.
MIT News: Announcing the K. Lisa Yang Global Engineering and Research Center, January 2024
Drip irrigation team travels to Jordan and Morocco to gather farmers' insights on new emitter technology, November 2023
MIT News: "No Drop to Spare" MIT creates affordable, user-driven smart irrigation technology, October 2023
Aditya, Collin, and Nina participate in the MIT de Florez competition with Aditya winning first place for Graduate Student Design
MIT News: Solar-powered desalination system requires no extra batteries, October 2024
