Humanitarian technology research group: Developments at the University of Adelaide

The recently established Humanitarian Technology Research Group at the University of Adelaide, Australia, utilizes world-class research facilities and researchers in the fields of combustion, fluid mechanics and laser diagnostics in order to develop affordable technology for resource-constrained communities. The motivation of the research group is to save lives and improve quality of life for all. Recent and on-going developments include bio-char producing, dung-burning cookstoves that produce 90% less carbon monoxide emissions compared with traditional three-stone fires; and continuous-feed solar disinfection (SoDis) water treatment devices designed to eradicate water-borne pathogens. New projects include development of design guidelines to build wind turbines based on a range of manufacturing capabilities; bio-digesting toilets; and guidelines for the establishment of cookstove manufacturing plants. This paper highlights some recent results and developments from these projects.