Open Student Projects

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Build two or more ABCD devices - Test the set-up in a laboratory setting

The goal of this research is to build two or more ABCD devices, estimate its accuracy and precision, and compare it to higher-cost devices.

This research looks for multiple master/bachelor-level mechanical engineering students with skills in CAD, prototyping, air quality measurements, software. 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: - Physically modifying an existing air filter and/building one from scratch (i.e. a fan + HEPA filter) - Developing a remote control system of operation to bypass the filtering mechanism - Testing the set-up in a laboratory setting

The goal of this research is to build and/or modify existing air filters such that the filter can be controlled remotely into an on- or off-position, without external signs that the filter is not filtering (i.e. it still maintains air flows, lights are on, etc.).

This research looks for multiple master/bachelor-level mechanical engineering students with skills in CAD, prototyping, air quality measurements, software 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 carrying out experiments to test the accuracy and precision of the WPS - Designing a method to identify new/different parameters from the captured images

The goal of this research is to build and test the WPS in real-world and laboratory settings.

This research looks for multiple master/bachelor-level mechanical engineering students with skills in machine learning, prototyping, air quality measurements, software Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

The student will work within an interdisciplinary research and implementation team to explore how an existing community-based AHP collection system can be expanded to the adjacent Siyathuthuka settlement. The thesis will combine engineering design, modelling, prototyping (where relevant), and field-based system evaluation within a real-world implementation environment.

Key research objectives include: - Exploring how an existing collection system can be efficiently scaled while incorporating existing infrastructures. - Designing systems that integrate diverse collection points and housing typologies. - Investigating alternative collection models for feminine hygiene products in contexts lacking formal sanitation infrastructure. - Developing technologies and/or mechanical solutions for the sanitary and efficient transport of AHP waste between collection nodes. - Modelling logistics and system flows to optimise scale, efficiency, and workforce requirements. - Analysing how system expansion can contribute to sustainable and meaningful livelihoods for collection teams.

We are seeking an MSc student in MAVT with: - Strong interest in applied engineering for low-resource contexts - Experience or interest in: - Mechanical design - Transport systems - Logistics modelling - Prototyping - Systems engineering - Ability to work independently in dynamic field environments - Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and socially embedded engineering The project is supported by funding by Kimberly Clark and would involve three months of active data collection on-site in Durban. Prior experience in Global South contexts or development engineering is advantageous but not required. Interested and qualified students are invited to apply. For more information, please contact Dr. Marc Kalina (mkalina@uwc.ac.za).

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: - 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: - Reviewing and familiarizing themselves with the existing device inventory database, data collection protocols, and categorization framework developed in the previous thesis; - Identifying and coordinating with local health authorities to gain access to approximately 20 health clinics in Central Malawi (primarily around Lilongwe) and Northern Malawi (around Mzuzu); - Conducting on-site data collection at each facility, documenting all electrical devices including medical equipment (diagnostic devices, sterilization equipment, cold-chain refrigerators, etc.) and non-medical appliances (lighting, ventilation, computers, water pumps); - Recording nameplate energy characteristics (voltage, current, power ratings) and measuring actual power consumption using portable energy meters where feasible; - Assessing device functionality status (functioning, non-functioning, obsolete) and documenting ownership information; - Integrating collected data with the existing database, ensuring consistency and quality; - Contributing to statistical analysis comparing device inventories across regions and facility types; - Supporting preparation of data and visualizations for a planned scientific publication.

This thesis aims to extend the existing medical device inventory database by collecting detailed electrical device data from approximately 20 additional health clinics in Central and Northern Malawi. The student will apply and refine established data collection protocols to build a comprehensive, publication-ready dataset that enables accurate energy load estimation for healthcare facility electrification across the country.

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, or energy science student with skills in data collection and field research, database management, quantitative data analysis, and interest in global health and development contexts. Familiarity with R or Python for data analysis is advantageous. The field work will involve travel to rural healthcare facilities. The student should be comfortable working in resource-constrained settings and adaptable to changing field conditions. 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 the existing power systems database, questionnaire instruments, and analytical framework developed in the previous thesis; - Coordinating with local health authorities to identify and access approximately 20 health clinics in Central Malawi (primarily Lilongwe district) and Northern Malawi (Mzuzu area); - Conducting on-site assessments of power system infrastructure, including: - Documenting energy source mix (grid connection, solar PV, generators, batteries); - Recording nameplate characteristics of all system components; - Assessing functionality status and electrical protection measures; - Inspecting installation quality and maintenance condition; - Administering semi-structured interviews with facility administrators to document: - System origins and installation history; - Current O&M responsibilities and practices; - Donor/partner involvement and accountability structures; - Challenges faced and coping strategies during outages; - Load prioritization approaches when backup power is limited; - Integrating collected data with the existing database, ensuring methodological consistency; - Contributing to comparative analysis across regions, facility types, and donor involvement patterns; - Supporting preparation of findings for a planned scientific publication and policy brief.

This thesis aims to extend the existing power systems and O&M database by collecting detailed energy infrastructure data from approximately 20 additional health clinics in Central and Northern Malawi. The student will document power system configurations, assess functionality, and investigate accountability structures for system maintenance, contributing to a comprehensive dataset that can inform policy recommendations and support scientific publication.

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, energy science, or environmental engineering student with skills in energy systems assessment, qualitative interview techniques, data analysis, and interest in development and global health contexts. Familiarity with solar PV systems and basic electrical measurements is advantageous. The field work will involve travel to rural healthcare facilities. The student should be comfortable conducting interviews, working in resource-constrained settings, and adapting to field conditions. Interested and qualified students are invited to contact Dr. Jakub Tkaczuk (jtkaczuk@ethz.ch).

The goal of this project is to test and improve the existing solar water heater used for effluent pasteurization. More comprehensive tests for E. coli and Total coliform reduction are necessary to understand the system performance and drive the next adaptations.

In the course of the project, the student will be responsible for: - Testing the solar pasteurizer for pathogen reduction - Adapting the system to improve its performance and match the effluent yield - Perform comprehensive measurements of process-flow parameters, i.e., temperature, solar irradiance, heat exchanger performance, as well as the material degradation.

This research looks for a master-level mechanical engineering student with skills in prototyping, building things from scratch with low-tech materials and adapting existing systems with whatever is available at hand. Some skills can be acquired during the project. 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: - 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).