Open Student Projects

The project follows a participatory approach with hospital staff and local engineers, encompassing joint planning, construction, implementation, and capacity building. This involves both the proper operation of the incinerator and the practical application of the developed waste management system. In the project, the student will be responsible for: - Mapping and analysis of existing waste flows and types of waste throughout the facility. - Implementation of a waste segregation system, including designated shelters, bins and containers for each type of medical waste (e.g., single plastic, sharps, biological, pharmaceutical, etc.). - Staff training programs to build awareness and competence in waste handling and segregation. - Development of waste management guidelines, for segregating, storing, and transporting medical waste within the hospital also for trainings for new staff members. - Creation of incinerator usage handbook for safe, efficient operation and maintenance of the new incinerator, including the final ash handling and storage. - Develop technical customized design for chambers, air circulation systems and optimal capacity, size of ash pit etc. according to data collected in Work Package 1. Develop technical drawings and material lists, with material properties based on availability in Uganda. - Construction of new incinerator and sealed concrete ash pit on site. - Commissioning of new incinerator, test runs, temperature monitoring.

The student will be responsible for developing a waste management and segregation system in compliance with local regulations and in collaboration with local engineers and hospital staff. As part of this system, an incinerator tailored to the specific needs of Kiwoko Hospital will be designed using locally available materials. The project begins with a needs assessment and an analysis of the current waste flow to establish a hospital wide segregation system that can be implemented in practice. The planned incinerator will be constructed on site, and training sessions will be conducted to ensure proper use and integration of the system.

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering/environmental engineering student with technical and engineering skills, construction and practical skills, project management skills and a willingness to work in a complex environment. 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: - Reviewing and assessing the various pilot- and full-scale technologies available - Collecting data (images and composition analyses) - Preparing initial prototypes and app designs, upon which future work can be based.

The goal of this project is to develop a mobile-based application for scanning compost to assess its maturity.

This research looks for a mechanical engineering student with skills in coding, app development, and an interest in agriculture. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

By the end of the thesis, the student will: - Understand the principles of electrochlorination and inline dosing. - Gain hands-on experience in microbiological and chemical water quality testing. - Acquire skills in experimental design, lab instrumentation, and system evaluation. - Develop scientific writing and critical literature analysis capabilities. - Contribute directly to a high impact innovation in the WASH sector. Highlights: - Participate in an Innosuisse founded innovation project at the intersection of environmental science, technology, and social impact. - Work in the world-class research environment of Eawag. - Gain experience on a real world solution already deployed in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Madagascar. - Collaborate with leading researchers and a dynamic startup team. - Contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs) and safe drinking water access.

The master's thesis will support the scientific validation of Clara NextGen by investigating the chlorine dosing effectiveness and its impact on water quality. You will: - Conduct laboratory experiments to study chlorine decay in water under various conditions. - Perform microbial and physicochemical water quality analysis to assess the disinfection effect of different chlorine levels. - Operate and test automated inline chlorination systems, including Clara prototypes and sensors, for dosing accuracy and stability. - Compile a literature review of relevant scientific studies on chlorine decay, residual effectiveness, and efficiency of hydrogen peroxide.

Ideal Candidate: - Enrolled in a Master's program in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related fields. - Strong interest in water technologies for development and humanitarian impact. - Motivated to con conduct laboratory-based experimental work. - Experience in microbiological or chemical lab analysis is an asset (but is not mandatory). - Fluent in English. Important Information: - Start Date : ideally September - Duration : full-time MSc thesis work (6 months). - Location : Eawag, Dübendorf (ZH), Switzerland. Some visits to partner institutions may be possible. - Supervision : by researchers of the Sandec Departmente at Eawag jointly with CSEM and CLARA Water AG. To apply or inquire, please contact: Nicolas Seemann-Ricard Project Officer Water & Sanitation Eawag, Sandec Department nicolas.seemann-ricard@eawag.ch

Quantitative Component: - Real-time personal exposure monitoring using portable aethalometers (e.g., MicroAeth MA200) to measure BC concentrations. - Monitoring will be conducted at multiple public transport hubs (e.g., tram stops, train stations, bus stops) across Zurich during peak and off-peak hours. - Paired monitoring during commuting by public transport and cycling along comparable urban routes to assess differences in BC exposure levels. Qualitative Component: - Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of commuters (both smokers and non-smokers). - Interviews will explore their experiences, perceived exposure to tobacco smoke, awareness of health risks, and attitudes toward potential smoke-free policy interventions. - Thematic analysis will be used to identify recurring patterns and insights.

The goals of this work are: - Measure BC levels at public transport hubs in Zurich. - Compare personal BC exposure while commuting by bike and public transport. - Understand commuter perceptions of passive smoke exposure and related health concerns. The expected outcomes are: - Data on BC exposure attributable to passive smoking in public transport environments. - Comparison of exposure levels across commuting modes. - Commuter perspectives to inform potential smoke-free policies in outdoor transit areas.

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact Saloni Vijay (svijay@ethz.ch).

The proposed test site, the Warwick transport hub and shopping market in eThekwini Municipality (Durban), has the highest throughput of people in the City every day. The existing sanitation infrastructure in the area is in very poor condition and all municipal toilet blocks have been closed for several years. Urination in public areas by men is widespread with the result that the environment is unhygienic and unpleasant. Women who work in the area have in the most part resorted to using buckets while attempting to screen themselves from the public. This situation is not safe or hygienic for these women and the disposal of the urine in stormwater drains contributes significantly to pollution of the environment. In addition, the public spaces are used extensively for informal livelihoods and thus a degraded public environment is having a serious economic impact on these informal businesses. The NGO, Asiye eTafuleni which has been working in the Warwick area for several decades has responded to the crisis by building a number of informal male urinals for testing and operation by local entrepreneurs. The urine from these informal urinals is collected in twenty litre drums which when full are disposed of in local stormwater drains. Although the informal urinals have significantly improved the public spaces, the disposal of urine to stormwater drains contributes significantly to the pollution of the environment as these drains ultimately end up in the sea or other stormwater collection points.

In the course of the project, the student will: - Engage with all stakeholders on sanitation status quo and inputs - Design new male and female prototypes - Identify potential fabricators and finalise selection of prototypes and materials - Fabricate prototype – 1 male and 1 female - Deploy and evaluate prototype 1 to field - Modify and design prototype 2 for male and female - Fabricate prototype 2 male and female - Deploy and evaluate prototype 2 to field - Fabricate 5 male and 5 female urinals for rollout and integration with the operations of the proposed fertiliser plant

This research looks for a master’s project-level mechanical or process engineer with skills in design and fabrication, and who is interested in low-cost, contextually appropriate solutions. 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: - Learning about the fundamentals of water points, their operation, and components - Repair and/or replace missing components and parts - Developing a maintenance and repair kid for the local water committee - Training and learning from local artisans and craftspeople

The goal of this project is to assess and repair the water points, either by manufacturing or purchasing (when possible) broken or missing parts. You will work with the local water point committee to develop a maintenance strategy, a troubleshooting guide, and a toolkit for future repairs.

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

During this project, the student will be responsible for the following tasks: - Conducting a literature review on existing composting toilet systems. - Reviewing the scientific literature on the composting process and labscale composting. - Designing a labscale low-tech mechanical mechanism to create a multi-chamber system that enables separate chambers for mixing, heating, and aeration. - Ensuring the system is low maintenance, equipped with reliable mechanical components and is easy to clean.

The proposed multi-chamber composter will consist of multiple sequential treatment chambers, arranged either linearly with horizontal material movement through fixed chambers or in a rotating drum configuration where chambers are rotated into different treatment positions. Each chamber will serve a specific role in the composting and treatment process. Key mechanical components will include a material transfer system, which may employ screw conveyors, sliding gates, or rotating mechanisms to move material between chambers. The mixing mechanism may consist of rotating paddles or tumbling action. Chambers should be aerated and equipped with a filtration system to minimize odors. At least one chamber will be well insulated and feature solar-powered heating to ensure complete pathogen deactivation. The prototype will integrate sensors to measure temperature, oxygen concentration, and humidity to monitor the process conditions. Material selection for the system will prioritize durability, cost-effectiveness, and ensuring compatibility with the corrosive composting environment. Deliverables from the prototyping phase will include detailed engineering drawings with specifications, a complete materials list including suppliers and costs, and a functional laboratory-scale prototype demonstrating all major mechanisms.

This research looks for a creative and practical thinking bachelor-level mechanical engineering student interested in designing low-cost technology, prototyping, creative and practical thinking. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Jules Peter (jupeter@ethz.ch).

This project involves designing and constructing a prototype of a lab-scale composting chamber to simulate the composting process with fungal additives in the lab. This prototype should be equipped with sensors for continuous measurement and logging of critical parameters like temperature, humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide content. The construction should be low cost and easy to clean. Furthermore, the composter will incorporate a straightforward mixing mechanism to ensure consistent aeration of the substrate. A potential addition is a temperature control system, allowing for heating of the composting chamber.

Within this project, the student will be responsible for: - Literature review of composting and labscale composting devices - Drawings and prototyping of composting device - Testing of sensors and mixing capabilities of the prototype

This research looks for a creative and practical thinking bachelor-level mechanical engineering student interested in designing low-cost technology, prototyping, creative and practical thinking. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Jules Peter (jupeter@ethz.ch).

This work focuses on developing a low-cost solution for yielding glass safe for disposal. The critical part of the project is to establish a technique, which does not require electrical energy.

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Designing a low-cost glass tumbling solution with no access to electricity for operation, using instead, e.g., tide in a lake, human labor, solar energy. The solution should require little maintenance and as little as possible human interaction. - Evaluating the results of glass tumbling over the extended period of time in the field in Cape Maclear, Malawi.

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering student with skills in mechanical design, construction, prototyping, tinkering, willing to spend up to three months in the field in Cape Maclear, Malawi. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

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: - 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: - 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).

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).