Open Student Projects

During the project, the student will be responsible for: - Developing an algorithm for assessing the functionality of selected WASH facilities (e.g. water distribution point) based on pictures taken by users. - Creating a mobile app or interface that facilitates the collection of basic information and upload of pictures by users of the WASH facilities. - Providing a balanced assessment of advantages and limitations of the developed tools.

The goal of this project is to develop a tool combining computer vision and citizen science approaches to estimate access to safe WASH services, using pictures taken by users.

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering/environmental engineering student with skills in programming, computer vision, app development. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: 1. Defining Data Format and Scope: Assume and ensure compatibility with CSV-like data formats. 2. Implementing Missing Data Handling (KNN Imputation using scikit-learn's KNNImputer, MissForest imputation using the missingpy library). 3. Implementing Outlier Detection (DBSCAN-based outlier detection using scikit-learn's DBSCAN). 4. Implementing Structural Error Correction (Develop Python functionalities to address column type inconsistencies and wrong formats (dates, locations, etc.) using pandas, datetime, and regular expressions. This will involve adapting the logic found in tools like OpenRefine for programmatic control). 5. Implementing Duplicate Detection and Removal (Exact duplicate removal using pandas's drop_duplicates() method, fuzzy matching for near-duplicate detection using fuzzywuzzy). 6. Implementing Data Profiling (Integrate automated data profiling to detect anomalies using pandas-profiling to generate comprehensive reports). 7. Implementing Pipeline Automation (Design and implement a robust data cleaning pipeline in Python, capable of orchestrating the various cleaning steps. Consider using tools like Apache Airflow or custom Python scripts for workflow management and scheduling). 8. Exploring LLM-powered Tuning (Investigate and integrate LLM capabilities for tuning parameters of the data cleaning tools, drawing inspiration from projects like guidance-ai/guidance for structured LLM interactions. This would involve researching connecting Python with LLM APIs and designing prompt engineering strategies for parameter optimization).

The main goal of this project is to develop an automated, open-source data cleaning tool in Python that can efficiently handle common data quality issues in CSV-like WASH datasets, leveraging advanced statistical techniques and LLM-powered parameter tuning.

This research looks for a master/bachelor-level student with skills in Python programming, statistics, software engineering (specifically Python package development), and an interest in using LLMs in data science. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Redesigning/improving the metal toilet mold for easier and more precise removal (previous versions were difficult to remove and prone to breaking). - Building the mold in Cape Maclear using local materials and working with local craftsmen. - Producing and installing the toilets along with associated infrastructure (plumbing). - Participating in the building of a toilet block in a flood-prone, sandy environment (a beach).

The goal of this project is to improve the design of the EOOS toilet mold, cast and produce concrete toilets, and construct a safe, hygienic toilet block for the fisherman’s village.

This research looks for a master-level civil, environmental, or mechanical engineering student with skills in manufacturing, construction, teamwork, and cultural sensitivity. Approximately 3 months will be spent in Malawi. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

The goal of this project is to design, build, and use a machine for cutting and folding metal cans into fencing material. The machine must be low-cost, made locally, and user-friendly. We expect the student to produce several hundred meters of fencing using the stockpile of cans available in the town.

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Taking inspiration from origami to design a machine for folding and linking metal from cans. - Building the machine in Cape Maclear using local materials and working with local craftsmen. - Producing and installing the fencing with local farmers.

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering student with skills in manufacturing, origami, teamwork, and cultural sensitivity. Approximately 3 months will be spent in Malawi. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Setting up the medium/large-scale wool-from-PET extrusion system (in Blantyre, Malawi). - System tuning for wool production optimization (in Blantyre, Malawi). - Potential plastic wool characterization (in Zurich).

The goal of this work is to set up the industrial plastic yarn extrusion machine in Malawi and tune its parameters to obtain high quality and high repeatability plastic wool from shredded PET bottles, which later can be used as a wall insulation material, packed in plastic bags.

This research includes a 3/4-month-long-stay in Blantyre, Malawi and looks for a master-level mechanical engineering student with skills in mechanical design, problem-solving, and hands-on experience with large-scale industrial machines.

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Designing and prototyping a mechanism which facilitates proper handwashing and interfaces with an existing water bucket. - Testing a prototype and redesigning it, if necessary.

The goal of this project is to research, design, prototype, and test a battery-powered, non-contact device which interfaces with a water bucket and facilitates proper handwashing in low-resource settings.

This research looks for a master level mechanical, biomedical, or electrical engineering student with skills in research, design, prototyping, and testing. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact Padraic Casserly (pcasserly@student.ethz.ch).

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Constructing, testing, improving, and prototyping a plastic identification device - Engaging with open-source community for device improvement - Tinkering a solution from low-cost components

The goal of this work is to build the most up-to-date version of the open-source plastic identification device and contribute to its improvement through prototyping and inspiration from commercial devices. Documentation and present status of device’s development is available here: https://docs.plasticscanner.com/

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering student with skills in prototyping, programming, and community engagement. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Literature review on solar thermal concentration, biogas systems, and pathogen elimination by pasteurization. - Design and construction of a solar thermal concentrator for use with an experimental biogas system located in Mzuzu, Malawi. - Testing of the system on parameters related to pathogen elimination, liquid throughput, and performance during variable weather.

The goal of this project is to design, construct, and test a solar thermal concentrator for use an effective technique to pasteurize the liquid effluent of biogas systems.

This research looks for a master level mechanical, biomedical, or environmental engineering student with skills in research, design, prototyping, and testing. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact Padraic Casserly (pcasserly@student.ethz.ch) and Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Designing and developing PCBs from scratch for simple bicycle lights. - Designing and improving the moulds for injection moulding with recycled plastic. - Establishing the manufacturing process for bicycle lights in Blantyre, Malawi.

The goal of this work is to design a simple PCB for front and rear bicycle lights using rechargeable batteries and to design and test the injection mould for manufacturing the casing of bicycle lights from recycled plastic (HDPE or PP).

This research includes a 3-month-long-stay in Blantyre, Malawi and looks for a master-level mechanical engineering student with skills in mechanical design, problem-solving, electroncis, and prototyping. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Writing backend solution for IoT devices sending carbon credit information. - Developing streamlined updating of https certiciates for IoT devices. - Implementing open-source front-end for data visualization.

This work should propose a solution based on cloud architecture, such as Amazon AWS, to provide a server and a database for data acquisition and storage from IoT devices. On top of the above, cyclically updated https certificates should be provided to devices for encrypted communication.

This research looks for a master-level software engineering student with skills in server setup, IoT, https certificates. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - designing and calibrating the control valve for effluent flow. - designing and developing a PCB for the system. - building a complete prototype of the control system and installing one in Nakuru, Kenya. - Testing the solar pasteurizer for effluent pasteurization.

The goal of this project is to design and build a control system for the solar water heater, used for effluent pasteurization. The control system should regulate the effluent flow based on the temperature in the solar pasteurizer tank and the solar irradiation. If the system construction and testing at ETH yields positive results quickly enough, the student will have the possibility to travel to Kenya to install the system and tests it in the real-world conditions.

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering student with skills in prototyping, programming, developing PCBs and with hands-on experience. Some skills can be acquired during the project. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

This project builds on previous insights to advance the development of menstrual blood collection device prototypes designed for reduced gravity environments. The primary objective for the student(s) involved is to refine existing designs to produce functional prototypes suitable for testing during parabolic flight studies. In addition to enhancing the cup designs, the student will explore different prototyping methods and evaluate their limitations to ensure the prototypes closely resemble the intended final product. Students are also encouraged to create and assess new design concepts, evaluate their feasibility for use in space, and propose directions for future research. The student(s) will receive guidance from SpaceShipFR experts and their prototypes could be tested during parabolic flights.

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Refine the design requirements - Prototyping: build on the existing 3D models and print the models developed = Testing: verify the effectiveness of the menstrual collection through lab tests and microgravity tests in parabolic flights

This research looks for bachelor and/or master level mechanical engineering student(s) with skills in 3D modelling and prototyping. We are looking for creative solutions to this problem and this project requires a high level of self-initiative. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

The project involves two key components: 1. Cooking Experiments: Partner with participant households to gather information on local dishes commonly cooked in areas where biogas is being installed. Conduct experiments to measure how long each dish takes to cook using biogas, considering variables like weather, which affects biogas efficiency. 2. Citizen Science Methodology: Develop a user-friendly system enabling households to record the biogas-cooked dishes they prepare daily over extended data collection periods. The project is supported by funding by Prof. Tilley and would involve 1-2 months of fieldwork on-site in Malawi (near Blantyre). Interested and qualified students are invited to apply. For more information, please contact Dr Natalie Boyd Williams.

The goal of this project is to estimate the cooking time required for the main dishes in Southern Malawi when using biogas and to develop a citizen science approach for working with local communities to quantify daily biogas usage, identify which meals are being prepared, and track variations over time. The long-term objective is to compare this methodology with existing approaches—such as surveys, kitchen performance tests, and electronic monitoring—to evaluate its effectiveness and cost-benefit potential as an alternative measurement tool.

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact Natalie Boyd Williams (nboydwilliams@ethz.ch).

Approach and Methods 1. Literature Review (Comprehensive review of existing studies on emission inventories focusing on similar contexts, review to identify sources of emissions in Blantyre). 2. Data Collection (Industries: Identify and list all industries in Blantyre, document their production levels, and map industry types to specific pollutants. Vehicles: Collect vehicle data including type of fuel, production year, etc from the Blantyre Road Transport authority. Solid Biofuels: Use literature data to estimate the extent and amount of solid biofuels used. Waste Burning: Use IPCC guidelines to estimate emissions from waste burning. Emission Factors: Gather emission factors from existing literature to apply to collected data). 3. Data Analysis (Calculate emissions for each source using the gathered data). 4. Modeling and Documentation (Create a detailed emission inventory, documenting the methodology, sources of information, and calculation processes). Deliverables 1. Emission Inventory Report: Comprehensive report detailing the emissions from various sources in Blantyre. Documentation of data sources, emission factors, calculation methods, and results. 2. Pollutant Emissions Data: Quantified emissions for PM10, PM2.5, BC, SO2, NOx, and CO. 3. Github Repository: Repository containing all codes, data, and documentation used in the study for transparency and reproducibility.

The goal of this study is to answer the following research questions: 1. What are Blantyre's primary sources of air pollution, and what are their respective contributions to overall emissions? 2. How can emissions from industries, vehicles, solid biofuel use, and waste burning be accurately quantified and documented? 3. How do the emission levels of different pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, Black Carbon, SO2, NOx, CO) vary across different sources in Blantyre?

This research looks for a master-level mechanical/environmental engineering student proficient in data analysis in Python or R, willing to spend three months in Blantyre, Malawi visiting industrial areas, engaging with local authorities, and collecting data. Interested and qualified candidates are should concatct Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).