Available Research Projects

This list is kept updated and full project details are available for the majority of the research proposals.

As well as containing a number of research project proposals suitable for 3rd and 4th year undergraduate engineering projects, the list includes proposals suitable for all levels of study from group branch projects to PhD.

We also have some new Practical Action Projects that require attention now.  They are listed further down on this page!

Applications to undertake EWB-UK Research Projects can be made by completing the Research Project Application Form. If you have any queries please contact the Research Team!

Our Research Projects are divided up into our 6 communities of practice:

Water and Sanitation

related projects

• Assessing the Suitability of Well Sites

• Ceramic Water Filter Design

• Human Waste Disposal

• Microbial Inactivation in Water Filtration

• Rain Water Harvesting

• Sewerage and Sanitation

• Water Testing

• Water Treatment

• Affordable Sanitation Solutions

• Enabling Safe Water Supply

• Slow Sand Filtration

 

How do these fit into my

engineering discipline?

Energy related projects

• Feedback Pipe

• Combustion of Fuels With Varying Moisture Contents

• 'Staged' Combustion of Moist Wood

• Combustion of Wooden Sticks

• Linear Alternator Options

• Alternatives to Batteries

• Biodiesel

• Biogas Generator

• Feasibility study for school renewable energy supply

• Lighting During Power Cuts

• Natural Water Heating on Roofs

• Appropriate and Sustainable Energy Solutions

How do these fit into my

engineering discipline?

 

Industry related projects

• Candle Water Filters Production

• Clay Mixer Design

• Governance Issues Related to Infrastructure Services

• Limiting the Use of Detergents

• Oil Mill Optimisation

• Organic Printer Ink

• Short Term Food Preservation

• Soil Testing Kit

• Waste Management

• Waste Processing and Economies

How do these fit into my

engineering discipline?

 

Transport related projects

• Wooden Bicycle Design

 

How do these fit into my

engineering discipline?

Habitat related projects

• Bamboo as a Structural Component

• Cooler Housing in Hot Climates

• Structural Analyisis on Geodesic Dome

How do these fit into my

engineering discipline?

 

ICT related projects

• Education Software

• Simplified Computer

How do these fit into my

engineering discipline?

EWB- UK Research Projects

With

 Projects Requiring Immediate Attention

1)Developing the next generation
of solar lantern


2)Developing a Micro-hydro Franchise Model for rapid scale-up


3)Enabling connection of Micro-hydro installations to the Grid


4)Developing the production and use system for locally produced Ethanol (could be one or two linked projects on production/distillation and stoves/appliances)


5)Modelling Rural Bioenergy Markets in Sri Lanka using Systems Dynamics Tools

 

 

Further Research and Exploration Required

 
1) El-Gedarif Sanitation Challenge


2) Climate Change; Do Urban Technologies Need any Adaptation


3) Developing and Promoting Pro-Poor Technologies in Waste Recycling


4) Income and Employment from Services – The Africa Challenge


5) Reducing Water Contamination Risks during Transportation and Storage of Drinking Water


6) Is there a role for Technologies in Community Lead Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach?


7) Adopting Value Chain and Participatory Market Methods in Solid Waste Recycling Projects


8) Revisiting Schumacher’s Philosophy


 

If you are interested in any of these projects then fill out a project application form and feel free to contact the Research Team with any queries.

Download the full pdf version of all listed projects!