EWB Cambridge

Proposed Projects of Interest to EWB-Cambridge

EWB-UK maintains a list of relevant projects sorted by topic on their website (EWB-UK research briefs). Research topics of particular interest to EWB-Cambridge students are provided on this page.

The following ideas were provided by Alison Hoyt through previous work with MSABI. If you are interested in any of the following projects, please contact Alison by clicking on the MSABI-Related Research link under Contacts.

 

Cost Reduction of Environmentally Safe Latrines

Research Objective: Design (or adapt existing designs) an affordable, environmentally safe latrine

Proposed Steps:

• Research existing model
• Focus on shallow or sealed pits
• Convey design specifications to MSABI or travel for implementation

Benefits:

• Addresses urgent need to protect groundwater quality
• Existing technical capacity and willingness to try a new latrine design within MSABI

 

Development of Software to Determine Sanitary Seal Depth

Research Objective:  Provide a program that takes input of drill logs of sediment layers and latrine geometry to determine the depth at which a borehole should be sealed

Proposed Steps:

• Research existing literature
• Create a simple hydrology model
• Make an easy computer program – input the drill log information, output seal depth & diagram

Benefits:

• Knowledge transfer from scientific community to NGOs in the field
• Provides knowledge in a very transferrable format

 

Water Quality Evaluation

Research Objective: Design (and potentially implement) a water quality testing program

Proposed Steps:

• Research testing parameters
• Determine required testing frequency
• Determine the impacts of seasonality on water quality
• Send specifications/implement program and train local staff

Benefits:

• Water quality testing kit available
• MSABI is very motivated to conduct systematic testing
• Local staff are available to ensure continued application of the testing

 

Health Impact Evaluation

Research Objective:  Monitor the impact of the MSABI rope pump intervention on the health of users

Proposed Steps:

• Research existing literature
• Choose health indicators
• Determine requisite data collection frequency
• Send specifications/implement program and train local staff

Benefits:

• Critical to determine effectiveness of intervention
• Provides insight into potential modifications for future interventions

 

 

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Current Research by EWB-Cambridge Members

Development of a synthetic pit latrine sludge and a process for its fluidisation

MEng Project - Jamie Radford

 

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Past EWB-Cambridge Research

More details on the projects below, as well as projects completed by other UK universities, can be found on the EWB-UK website's list of completed research projects.

Micro-hydropower in Peru

Sakthy Selvakumaran, 2009-10

Solar lanterns in Kenya

Chris White, 2009-10

Energy for rural healthcare centres in Ghana

George Walker, 2009-10

School sanitation solutions in Bhutan

Mimi Coultas, 2009-10

Dissemination of Improved Cooking Stove Technology in Nepal

Nigel

A Sustainability Approach to Standards for Rammed Earth Construction in Bhutan

Zareen

Low-Cost Microbiological Water Testing

Rob

 

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