RTI International

Mission

Improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice

Organization Type Non-Governmental Organization

Contact Information

This information has been removed as it is likely no longer accurate

Primary Initiatives, Target Populations, and Scope of Work:

RTI has committed funding to launch a multidisciplinary effort to study a range of technical, social and economic realities in developing nations that have inhibited implementation of new cook stove designs that seek to improve health outcomes and reduce climate impacts. Our intent is to work with other experts to find more effective paths forward. This effort draws on expertise across RTI in engineering, energy and resource management, economics, local and global governance, exposure characterization, environmental health and epidemiologic study design, and data collection and statistics.

We plan to adapt robust RTI technologies and approaches that have been demonstrated to work in both first world and developing country settings to address global health and climate problems resulting from poorly designed and applied biomass stove technologies.

Fuels/Technologies: Biogas
Biomass
Coal
Liquid Petroleum Gas
Other
Thermoelectrics
Sectors of Experience: Education
Energy
Environment
Health
Rural Development
Water
Other
Health Communication and Marketing, Program Evaluation , Economic and Social Policy Research, International Environmental Management, Global Health Programs, Human Exposure Monitoring, Air Quality Monitoring and Research, Indoor Air Quality Research, Thermoelectric Power Generation and Energy Efficiency, Multi-technology Integrative Problem Solving

Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas

Social/Cultural barriers to using traditional fuels and stoves:

RTI has more than 200 staff members based around the world, conducting international development projects in more than 40 countries. We deliver advisory and training services at the national, subnational, and local government levels. We have been working in global health for more than 30 years, establishing collaborative partnerships with local communities, national governments, civil society organizations, and private-sector counterparts. Our programs build local capacity, emphasize community and stakeholder involvement, and support public-private partnerships.

RTI seeks to apply the breadth of our experience in developing culturally appropriate health programs and informing public health policy to assist with efforts to encourage users of traditional stoves to adopt cleaner, more efficient technologies.


Market development for improved cooking technologies:

RTI is pursuing application of our thermoelectrics and other unique technologies to an improved stove design with optimal stove/vent solutions that minimize energy use, maximize thermal efficiency, and minimize products of incomplete combustion, smoke and carbon emissions. With expertise in technology commercialization and development of culturally acceptable health interventions, RTI is well positioned to explore new ways to commercialize improved designs for clean-burning cook stoves and speed diffusion of new these technologies in developing nations.


Technology standardization for cooking, heating and ventilation:

Drawing on our long history of research and standards development for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTI proposes to partner with other organizations to standardize stove emission and indoor air quality monitoring technologies.


Indoor air pollution exposure and health monitoring:

A leader in the monitoring of human exposure to toxic chemicals, RTI performs all components of exposure testing and analysis in the field and in the laboratory. RTI is home to nationally recognized experts in air sciences and engineering, including experts in particulate matter measurement, air pollution control technologies, and methods development for toxic air pollutant measurement.

Relevant Publications or Studies

Our Contribution to the Partnership

This remains to be identified.