Amos Winter

Professor Amos Winter is the Germeshausen Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He directs the K. Lisa Yang Global Engineering and Research (GEAR) Center, focusing on creating high-performance, low-cost technologies for emerging markets through interdisciplinary engineering science. His work spans water purification, prosthetics, agricultural systems, and transportation solutions.

• Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University (2003), S.M. and Ph.D. from MIT (2005, 2011)
• Labs: Founder and Director of MIT Mobility Lab (2007-2012), GEAR Center PI

Winter’s research combines biologically-inspired design with mechanical and product development, emphasizing constraints-driven innovation. His projects include a solar-powered desalination system for rural India, the Leveraged Freedom Chair for off-road mobility, and smart drip irrigation systems for water-stressed regions. His publications analyze biomechanical interactions, adaptive robotics, and reverse innovation frameworks.

Recent projects focus on time-variant desalination systems, low-pressure drip emitters, and energy-efficient agricultural technologies. These align with his expertise in mechanics, fluid dynamics, and cross-cultural technology transfer.

Winter has received numerous honors including the 2025 Bose Award for Excellence in Teaching, the 2017 NSF CAREER Award, and the 2015 USAID Desal Prize. He was named to the TR35 list in 2013 and earned multiple design accolades for humanitarian technologies.

As a co-founder of Global Research Innovation and Technology (GRIT), Winter bridges academic research with real-world implementation. He teaches Design and Manufacturing (2.007) and Global Engineering (2.76) at MIT, while advising startups and mentoring students through initiatives like the MIT Formula SAE Team.