https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/91571 2026-04-06T07:18:38Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106328 National rural drinking water monitoring: progress and challenges with India's IMIS database Wescoat, James; Fletcher, Sarah Marie; Novellino, Marianna National drinking water programs seek to address monitoring challenges that include self-reporting, data sampling, data consistency and quality, and sufficient frequency to assess the sustainability of water systems. India stands out for its comprehensive rural water database known as Integrated Management Information System (IMIS), which conducts annual monitoring of drinking water coverage, water quality, and related program components from the habitation level to the district, state, and national levels. The objective of this paper is to evaluate IMIS as a national rural water supply monitoring platform. This is important because IMIS is the official government database for rural water in India, and it is used to allocate resources and track the results of government policies. After putting India's IMIS database in an international context, the paper describes its detailed structure and content. It then illustrates the geographic patterns of water supply and water quality that IMIS can present, as well as data analysis issues that were identified. In particular, the fifth section of the paper identifies limitations on the use of state-level data for explanatory regression analysis. These limitations lead to recommendations for improving data analysis to support national rural water monitoring and evaluation, along with strategic approaches to data quality assurance, data access, and database functionality. 2016-02-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106245 Scaling the Maternal and Neonatal Survival Initiatives (MANSI) program in low resource settings Fernandes Prabhu, Deepa The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) are very high in parts of rural India when compared to other developing and developed countries. To address these high rates the World Health Organization (WHO) set up Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for each country to reach by 2015. These goals prompted many national and international organizations to focus on programs to reduce IMR and MMR in the recent years. The Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI) is a successful field-tested approach for addressing widespread and persistent problems with high MMR and IMR. Implemented in the Seraikela area of Jharkhand state in India, it has achieved a 32.7% reduction in neonatal mortality, 26.5% reduction in IMR and 50% increase in hospital births. The MANSI program was implemented in 2009 by a public and private partnership (PPP) between American India Foundation (AIF), Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS), Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health (SEARCH) and the Government's Department of Health & Family Welfare in the Seraikela area 38 km from the headquarters of Tata Steel. If this program could be replicated or scaled in other similar resource-constrained areas, the MMR and IMR in those areas could be reduced as well. However, the MANSI program was developed with a unique PPP pilot program in an area where TSRDS has other programs to improve the quality of life of the residents and thereby enjoys the community's trust and support. This thesis investigates whether this program can be replicated or scaled elsewhere, within or outside the TSRDS area of influence, where it is desperately needed as either the same pilot program implemented in Seraikela or a modified one. Analysis of the MANSI system and process demonstrates that this program can be scaled or replicated if the implementers choose partners with similar goals, follow the MANSI system architecture, adapt the system design to local traditional practices and establish trust and accountability with the local citizens. Further, maternal and child health policy implementations by the local government will facilitate the improvement of IMR and MMR. Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, System Design and Management Program, Engineering and Management Program, 2016.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 102-105). 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106046 Extending the reach of anterior segment ophthalmic imaging Sinha, Shantanu (Shantanu Sanjay) Eye exams via a slit lamp are critical in screening for conditions such as cataracts, corneal opacities and pterygia early on to avert vision loss. The slit lamp, however, is a purely qualitative optical device that is bulky, expensive, can cause eye discomfort due to light sensitivity. It also requires a trained physician to operate, making it unsuitable for large-scale screening in resource-constrained settings. In this thesis, we propose a spectrum of portable anterior segment imaging solutions that can be operated by minimally trained health workers. On one end, we present a smartphone attachment with minimal optics and no electronic components beyond what is present in the smartphone itself to examine and image the anterior segment of the eye. This cost-effective, easily scalable solution would help extend the reach of anterior segment examination to extremely resource constrained settings, such as mass-screening camps, mobile ophthalmology clinics, war zones etc. On the other end, we propose purely solid-state instrumentation that employs programmable illumination and light steering optics to simulate the motion of a slit on the eye, thereby exhibiting functionality similar to that of a slit lamp with no moving parts. Finally, we discuss potential deployment strategies for two implementations of this technology in the specific cases of two contrasting healthcare systems in India. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2016.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 68-77). 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/104822 Pathways of industrialization exploring the impact of policy on industrial growth and urbanization in India Kenney, Macauley R. D. (Macauley Reardon Dupree) Industrialization is the process in which a primarily agricultural area transforms into one centered around manufacturing goods and services. It occurs after the relocation of a large industrial plant to a previously rural area and, if left unregulated, can grow to monopolize the natural resources of a region to the detriment of the surrounding community. (Sengupta, Bandyopadhyay, Roy, van Westen, & van der Veen, 2016) Industrialization also accelerates regional urbanization by incentivizing worker migration. Unchecked or poorly planned urbanization can lead to insufficient public services and slum housing developments as the population increases more rapidly than the municipality is able to accommodate. (Barve, Kenney, & Ojha, n.d.) This is especially pertinent in India, where many areas are quickly urbanizing, and where water and sanitation services and urban planning can be non-existent in rural areas and cash-strapped regions do not have the ability to create or expand services in response to rapid population growth. (Raparthi, 2015) This thesis explores how policy can impact industrialization and its effects and, subsequently, impact the urbanization process. Through the construction of a modeling approach it examines: how regions attract industry, how that attraction translates to the opening of industry in a new location, the ensuing effects of new industry in a region, and how policy can alter these processes. The goal of this examination is to assist policymakers in determining legislation that support better integration between industry and urban development and mitigate the negative impacts of industrialization. To simulate the growth of industrial development, and the impact of that growth on the region, the modeling approach characterizes the attractiveness of a region using multi attribute utility analysis (MAUA) and then uses projections of industrial growth rates and regional characterization to allocate new industry locates there to capture the impact industrial openings have on regional attributes. Methods of policy intervention are examined at each of these steps. The author applies this methodology to the district of Jajapur, an up-and-coming industrial region in northeast India, as a case study of the impact on policies on urbanization. To do this the model characterizes Jajapur's regional attributes in comparison with the other regionals available to industrial location, and matches it with new industry based on its relative attractiveness. The author simulates different industrial and urban development futures for Jajapur based on a selection of legislative policies, and examines the impact of those futures on Jajapur's quality of life metrics. Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Technology and Policy Program, 2016.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 86-95). 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/104819 Point-of-use soil diagnostics : an actionable information system for resource constrained farmers Braganza, Soumya During the mid-1960s, India came to the brink of an acute food crisis in the midst of heavy dependence on food imports. A period of rapid agricultural modernization that followed, known as Green Revolution, transformed India from a net importer of food into an exporter. Although an appropriate response for abating the impending starvation, the Green Revolution inflicted several unintended consequences. For example, regulatory structure and fertilizer subsidies for urea that were designed to stimulate growth instead resulted in a lock-in, which in turn incentivized vast over-fertilization across the country. Today, this is a well-recognized problem, and the Government of India has announced policies and schemes such as the National Soil Health Card Scheme to increase knowledge of soil condition and curb fertilizer use. In reality, however, the current need for information on soil health far exceeds the capacity for soil testing, highlighting the need for a radical approach to meeting this policy objective. This project, undertaken in collaboration with MIT Mechanical Engineering, takes a two-part approach to addressing this problem, with the design of a point-of-use soil testing sensor and an accompanying recommendation generation engine. This thesis presents the design of the latter based upon the answer to the following question: what constitutes an actionable information for resource constrained farmers? To answer it, we use a mixed methodology approach comprising (i) a combination of stakeholder interviews and design workshops to elicit user needs, and (ii) controlled experimentation with over 200 farmers covering an entire village to measure the actionability of information in soil health recommendations. The results of the analysis of experimental data reveal that the actionability of recommendations varies significantly within the population of farmers tested, and can be attributed to the level of information provided, the environment in which a farmer receives a recommendation, gender, and education level. Consequently, an effective point-of-use diagnostic system must adjust for these factors in order to maintain high actionability. To that end, we then use the experimental results to design a recommendation generation engine, the core of which is a soil health database that maximizes the actionability of information for a resource constrained farmer. Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Technology and Policy Program, 2016.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 77-79). 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/103431 Improving Indian beehives and beekeeping Abbott, Jonathan E. This thesis explores five beekeeping topics from a mechanical engineering perspective with findings that are relevant for both Indian and American beekeepers. First, hive weight scale mechanisms are quantitatively analyzed, yielding design improvements to improve accuracy. Second, designs of hive entrances are tested to promote traffic flow, assist ventilation, and exclude pests. Third, recommendations for Indian hive roofs and exteriors are given to keep hives cooler. Fourth, methods to bolster Indian hive standardization and manufacturing quality are suggested to promote larger, more productive colonies. Fifth, designs of hive management tools are prototyped to help encourage scientific beekeeping. This thesis concludes with further research topics and actionable improvements for Indian beehives and beekeeping. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2016.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 191-200). 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/101815 A methodology for turbocharging single cylinder four stroke internal combustion engines Buchman, Michael Rafael This thesis presents a method for turbocharging single cylinder four stroke internal combustion engines, a model used to evaluate it, an experimental setup used to test it, and the findings of this experiment. A turbocharged engine has better fuel economy, cost efficiency, and power density than an equivalently sized, naturally aspirated engine. Most multi-cylinder diesel engines are turbocharged for this reason. However, due to the timing mismatch between the exhaust stroke, when the turbocharger is powered, and the intake stroke, when the engine intakes air, turbocharging is not used in commercial single cylinder engines. Single cylinder engines are ubiquitous in developing world off grid power applications such as tractors, generators, and water pumps due to their low cost. Turbocharging these engines could give users a lower cost and more fuel efficient engine. The proposed solution is to add an air capacitor, in the form of a large volume intake manifold, in between the turbocharger compressor and the engine intake to smooth out the flow. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 95-97). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/101814 Droplet deposition on hydrophobic surfaces for agricultural sprays Damak, Maher, Ph. D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology This thesis presents a study of the in-situ precipitation of polyelectrolytes during droplet impacts and its applications in enhancing the retention efficiency of sprays. Large amounts of agricultural sprays are wasted worldwide, due to the poor retention on hydrophobic plants. As the harmful effects of pesticides in particular are more and more pointed out, there is an increasing pressure to reduce their use and make their spraying more efficient. Current solutions, mainly based on surfactants, all have limitations. Here, we present a novel idea based on the modification of the surface of the plant. By precipitating opposite polyelectrolytes, in-situ, we create sparse pinning sites that pin the contact lines of the impacting droplets from the spray and prevent them from bouncing off. We first study the behavior of the impact of two droplets containing oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on a hydrophobic surface. We then study the precipitation process of two polyelectrolytes and develop a model that predicts the outcome of a double drop impact. Finally, we show the macroscopic applications of this study, by using simultaneous spraying. Simultaneously spraying dilute opposite polyelectrolytes on a superhydrophobic surface leads to a large increase in the liquid retention and the coverage of the surface. The behavior has been shown to hold for different polyelectrolytes and surfaces, making this method suitable for a range of applications. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 51-55). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/100381 Analysis of slipback of rural water supply systems in India using FIETS framework and IMIS database : Gujarat Case Study Novellino Fajardo, Marianna Isabel, 1978- The objective of this project is to address the failure rate or "slipback" of rural water supply systems in India by analyzing performance of previous water projects using the national government database called IMIS. Data analysis and visualization tools are used on the IMIS in combination with the FIETS framework for sustainability enabling the categorization of variables into Financial, Institutional, Environmental, Technological, and Social factors. This analysis provides an evaluation of the IMIS database and how it can be used to meet the FIETS categories. It also provides quantitative metrics of slipback of water supply systems based on the available variables, helping identify correlations to problem areas and FIETS variables, enabling data-driven actions to promote sustainability. This assessment is designed based on the state of Gujarat - a generally successful model of water management projects in India - for the developing stage. The Jamnagar district was selected for the sub-district level analysis. Results show that IMIS database has data that satisfy FIETS factors at state and district levels. There are some limitations on data visibility between these two geographical levels but in both cases a complete analysis of FIETS factors is possible. A gap data analysis provides a detailed list of what are the available variables and which ones are missing from the database. In the case of Gujarat there is a high coverage of water supply in the rural areas, which makes challenging to find correlations with FIETS factors. Significant positive correlation was identified between low covered areas and districts with high Scheduled Tribal population. There was no correlation between expenditures and low coverage areas or built infrastructure. At sub-district level there are less variables available for analysis and correlations were found to be similar to the state findings. Field visits were made to several villages in Jamnagar that raised questions about the water quality data as well as coverage. The use of IMIS database to improve the rural water supply sector is very recent and further research is recommended to improve the data collection process, enabling decision-makers to understand better IMIS data, and pilot test this analysis to improve the annual planning of water supply systems at district and state levels. Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, System Design and Management Program, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 141-143). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99603 Characterization of residuals from novel anaerobic digestion of organic municipal solid waste for application as liquid fertilizer Karceski, Julie (Julie Katherine) Management of organic municipal solid waste presents numerous challenges in India. Anaerobic digestion is one technology that can be used to address this problem, by transforming organic waste into methane via microbial activity. This process generates energy (in the form of methane) and a residual byproduct that can be used as fertilizer. Bottling and transportation of methane, however, presents numerous challenges. A novel anaerobic process is in development which would circumvent many of these challenges by instead producing a liquid biofuel. The purpose of this study is to determine if the residual byproduct from the novel process could still be used as fertilizer. A growth test failed to demonstrate the efficacy of the anaerobic residuals as a fertilizer, most likely because the residual byproduct was not dosed correctly. A follow-up growth test was able to show that the residual byproduct is not toxic to plant growth and if dosed in a lower concentration, could have potential as a fertilizer. The carbon to nitrogen ratio of the anaerobic residuals was favorable for plant growth. Further tests are needed to validate the use of the anaerobic residuals as fertilizer. Thesis: M. Eng., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, June 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. "June 2015."; Includes bibliographical references (pages 38-42). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99599 Compost marketing guidelines for solid municipal waste management in India Huang, Ellen, M. Eng. (Ellen C.). Massachusetts Institute of Technology India has a waste problem. With the world's second largest population at 1.252 billion individuals, a population density of 382 persons per square kilometer and consumer behavior demanding a higher standard of life and preferences for more goods, the Indian municipal waste management systems are struggling to keep up with the increasing amounts of waste coming from households. Composting is a way to divert waste away from landfills and reclaim value by transforming waste into a new product. The Indian Government has accepted the value of compost and has promulgated in 2000 that it is a recognized form of agricultural fertilizer. Due to this legislation, waste recycling start-ups have sprung up but they struggled to make ends meet due to poor market demand. Compost's main competition, chemical fertilizers, are embedded into Indian agricultural practices since the Green Revolution. Additionally, the Indian government subsidizes the chemical fertilizers to promote agriculture at both the small- and industrial-scale. Compost currently does not receive subsidies from the federal level. Thus, companies need to independently develop sustainable business models for compost production and sales if they are to meet government mandates regarding waste management. A key element of such sustainable business models will be the marketing practices, on which this thesis focuses. Keywords: Marketing, Solid Waste Management, Compost, India Thesis: M. Eng., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 45-49). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99582 Valorization of boiler ash in alkali activated material Laracy, Michael Edward For centuries the clay fired brick has been the most popular building material in India due to its local availability and low cost. Despite the growing demand for bricks, some negative environmental and social impacts surrounding its production raise concerns about its future use. In parallel, a growth in industry is generating a number of industrial wastes, such as boiler ash, which are often disposed of in ways that are harmful to the population and the environment. Due to its highly variable physical and chemical properties, boiler ash currently has no viable applications, providing an opportunity to identify a solution. This research seeks to partially solve both the brick and the waste problem by recycling boiler ash into masonry construction materials. This is accomplished using alkali activation, a low energy approach which relies on a chemical reaction to give the product its strength. The aim is to create a mix design which is robust enough to account for the variability in the ash and which produces a high performing masonry unit that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. This work presents two key contributions in service of this goal. Firstly, the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of three different boiler ashes are characterized to assess their suitability for alkali activation. Second, a robust mix is developed and the mechanical properties of the resulting products are studied. The boiler ash has many undesirable characteristics for alkali activation, including varying shape, large particle sizes ranging from 5-600 micron, loss on ignition between 8-35%, and less than 4% alumina. However, when combined with supplementary materials in the form of clay and lime, high compressive strengths are observed in the bricks made with all three ashes, demonstrating the robustness of the mix design. The final brick formulation with a solids phase of ash/clay/lime = 70/20/10, liquid to solid ratio = 0.45, and NaOH concentration = 2M produced bricks with compressive strengths between 11-15 MPa after 28 days curing at 30°C. Furthermore, early strength development is observed as more than 55% of the 28 day strength is achieved after one day curing. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 97-102). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99576 Confined masonry for seismically resilient low-cost housing in India : a design and analysis method Porst, Christopher F Confined masonry (CM) is a viable housing typology that is resilient and economical for developing countries in seismic regions. Given its suitability for low-tech environments, multiple authors have published instructions on CM construction that do not require engineering knowledge. As a result these guidelines impose constrictive design requirements. Analysis methods exist for calculating the stress demand on shear walls of a CM building under earthquake loads which may be applied to any design, but they require technical expertise to perform. A procedure for designing confined masonry buildings is presented that employs a combination of seismic analysis techniques to take into account torsional effects and allow for complex designs while requiring low computational effort. Parametric studies are performed on this procedure which show reliable, conservative structural design outputs. Confined masonry is a structural wall system, therefore its seismic resilience depends on the wall shear strength, which is related to the compressive strength of the masonry. In India bricks used to build homes are often of poor compressive strength, even lower than the minimum allowed by the Indian masonry code, which is lower than that prescribed in other international standards. Experimentation was conducted on the strength of masonry in Gujarat, India to investigate the effect of varying mortar qualities when low strength bricks are used. With average brick strengths below 2.5 MPa a mud mortar with no cement and a 1:8 cement:sand ratio mortar resulted in approximately 41% and 21% higher prism strengths, respectively, than a 1:6 cement:sand ratio mortar. This shows that a mortar with less cement would save cost and result in a more resilient structure when building with bricks of this strength. Observations and hypotheses are presented for this behavior, but larger scale testing is recommended to better understand this outcome and inform better building practices that can save lives and money. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-58). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99568 Comparative analysis of composting as a municipal solid waste treatment process in India Liu, Yeqing A study of composting municipal solid waste (MSW) in India compared a specific facility in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India to existing standards and practices documented in literature globally and in other facilities in India. The scope of this study included an analysis of issues in various facilities around the world in light of relevant government regulations, perceptions, and social values. From these results, short term low cost improvements were proposed to increase efficiency and sustainability of the facility in Muzaffarnagar. Long term improvements were proposed to address inefficiencies within the Indian industrial municipal solid waste composting system as a whole. Thesis: M. Eng. in Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 57-60). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99544 An integrated modeling and decision tool for improved drinking water reliability in rural villages of India Gupta, Himani, S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Rural community, which constitutes more than 70% of the total population in India, faces an everyday struggle to meet basic water requirements. The challenges in this struggle are numerous: lack of infrastructure, limited access to new water resources, over-dependence on groundwater resources, and high spatial and temporal variability of monsoon. In addition, these issues are aggravated by the lack of hydrologic and water management understanding among the water using community. To address such problems, water engineers and managers often resort to complicated hydrologic models. These models may capture the global hydrological processes more accurately but their data requirement and set up is highly complicated, let alone the implementation at village scale. This thesis proposes a simpler modeling approach which integrates the local conditions and typical hydrological processes within reasonable assumptions to develop a practical tool which can be used directly by the stakeholders (local water authorities and village community). For prototype model development, we identify a case study of Jivapar village located in Gujarat state of India.We propose a conceptual framework which interlinks components like climate, surface water, groundwater flow, domestic water demand, and pumping for irrigation through water balance approach. Based on this framework, we build a mathematical model to understand the relevance of different system parameters in increasing water system reliability. We use number of days village gets basic water supply as the indicator of system reliability. We calibrate the model by simulating year 2010 as baseline scenario. We also use the model to evaluate the system behavior with respect to changes in climatic conditions, land use, check dam properties and hydrologic parameters like porosity and hydraulic conductivity. We show that factors like evapotranspiration, hydraulic conductivity and properties of check dam bottom soil have significant impact on local water supply. Through the process of model development, scenario simulations, and discussion on policy implications, we illustrate the utility of proposed model in furthering general water system understanding, and in strategic and functional water resources planning through scenario modeling, decision support, policy analysis and infrastructure design. Thesis: S.M. in Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2015.; Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2015.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-141). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99262 The Williston time capsule Moses, David (David Patrick) This project is a time capsule of the oil economy, created by entombing everyday objects made from and powered by petroleum into a landscape that spatially recreates the processes of drilling and fracking a contemporary oil well. It consists of two interrelated landscape systems. The first is a giant landform, a marker on the earth's surface commensurate with the scale of the second, a labyrinth of chambers carved out of a subterranean strata of rock. The site is an existing two square mile drill spacing unit on the edge of Williston, North Dakota, in the middle of one of the largest contemporary shale oil booms in the world. This thesis aspires to be a counter monument to the processes that create massive change on a territorial scale yet somehow remain hidden from the end consumers of those processes. By placing the objects of oil back underground in their place of origin, they become future sites of meditation on the ways that everyday consumption drives the economies of extraction. Their entombment takes place over a long period of future time: as objects and processes of the oil economy become obsolete, they are buried one by one, a long slow motion fracking of the site. Like most monuments, this one has been designed for a future public, hopefully one that wonders at the strangeness of us and our economies of frenzied extraction and consumption. The thesis is a way of saying that we as a culture at least contended with fracking and its innumerable consequences in way that was more substantial than simply worrying about the price of gas at the pump. Thesis: M. Arch., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architecture, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (page 15). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99245 Analysis and design for thermally autonomous housing in resource-constrained communities : a case study in Bhuj, India Gradillas, Madeline S In the 2010 International Workshop on Housing, Health and Climate Change Meeting Report, the World Health Organization identifies housing as a primary cause of poor health in developing countries. The report cites inadequate protection from extreme heat as one of six major concerns for healthy housing environments. As India's population rapidly increases, informal settlements face particular heat risk because of harsh climate conditions, sub-standard building construction and lack of access to electricity for mechanical cooling. There is a need for housing to provide thermal comfort and health by passive means at low cost. Climate specific passive cooling techniques are well known, but are rarely implemented in informal settlements because of density, lack of resources, design integration, and materials availability. This thesis is situated in the practical connection of two normally disparate parts: applied research in passive cooling techniques, and design for development. The work presented results from the establishment of an international co-design partnership between MIT and The Hunnarshala Foundation for Building Technology and Innovations, an NGO based in the hot and arid region of Bhuj, India. It presents data analysis and codesign work that drove the development, field prototyping, and evaluation of appropriate, implementable building solutions to improve thermal conditions in affordable housing in hot and arid climates. New low-cost, multi-layered roof assembly designs are presented and evaluated. Experimental results show that even in severe arid climates the interior conditions can approach ASHRAE and EN 15251 Adaptive Thermal Comfort standards through most of the operating hours. The results of this research will be an important contribution to the designs of the initial phase of the large-scale Rajiv Awas Yojana Slum Free Bhuj re-development housing construction over the next five years in Western India. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architecture, 2015.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 154-157). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98941 The role of actors and incentives in municipal solid waste management : a case study on Muzaffarnagar, India Mytty, Katherine M The ever-increasing urban population and a growing middle class are leading to a burgeoning solid waste problem in Indian cities. While legislation has been passed to address the growing waste issue, there has been limited compliance by municipal governments. One of the key changes and challenges resulting from the new legislation is that municipal governments are now responsible for household waste collection. This is both a major expense for municipal governments, and also involves influencing the behaviors of every household in a city. While the 2000 Municipal Solid Waste Management (and Handling) Rules legally bind a municipal government to be responsible for municipal solid waste management (MSWM), a closer look at MSWM systems reveals a range of waste service providers that is much more complex than a single provider. Each actor's incentives shape their participation in the MSWM system. Thus the municipal government, though the responsible party for MSWM, does not always direct the outcomes of a MSWM system. This begs the question: what actors influence municipal solid waste management (MSWM)? How do their incentives shape the activities and outcomes of a MSWM system? Thesis: M.C.P., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, 2015.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 59-61). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98756 Removal rates of electrolytes commonly found in brackish groundwater by means of electrodialysis reversal desalination Van de Zande, Georgia D This thesis tested and analyzed the removal rates of six different electrolytes: NaCl, Na2SO4 , MgCl2 , K2SO4 , Ca(NO3 )2, and CaSO4 when using electrodialysis reversal (EDR) desalination. A bench top EDR set-up was designed and built, and this set-up was used to desalinate feed water with initial concentrations of about 1000 ppm of each of the electrolytes. The tests ran until the diluate stream reached a concentration of 415 ppm. These results were then compared to a mathematical model that predicts the electrolyte removal behavior, and the experimental results did align with the model. When the mathematical model was used to estimate the electrolytes' behaviors for beginning concentrations of exactly 900 ppm, it was shown that the ranking of electrolytes with highest to lowest removal rates is NaCl (38.8 ppm/min when the diluate concentration is 415 ppm), K2SO4 (36.0 ppm/min), CaSO4 (33.6 ppm/min), Na2SO4 (33.4 ppm/min), MgCl2 (32.7 ppm/min), and Ca(NO3)2 (31.8 ppm/min). Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 39-40). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98731 Towards a transdisciplinary approach to rural electrification planning for universal access in India Borofsky, Yael Around 30% of India's roughly 1.2 billion people lack access to electricity, largely in rural areas. National and state rural electrification efforts are predominantly focused on grid extension, but interest in off-grid systems, like solar home systems and microgrids, for rural areas has been growing. Little policy or regulation dictates off-grid electrification and detailed data about customers' needs are hard to access, making it difficult for planners to determine the best electrification mode for a given area. New planning approaches are needed in the face of these challenges. Technoeconomic planning methods typically dominate rural electrification planning, yet many obstacles face rural electrification planners that are not technoeconomic. This thesis posits that combining the best aspects of technocratic and communicative planning into a transdisciplinary planning methodology will allow planners in India to incorporate technoeconomic, socioeconomic, sociotechnical, social, political, and regulatory factors that influence rural electrification into a single comprehensive approach to regional rural electrification planning in India. I propose and demonstrate three elements of this overarching methodology. First, I attempt to elicit planners' perspectives on rural electrification planning priorities in India through semi-structured interviews (n = 6) and a pilot survey (n = 10). Second, I discuss the importance of understanding consumer electricity needs and demonstrate how electricity demand is both a technoeconomic and non-technoeconomic factor that influences rural electrification. Third, I show how a technoeconomic electrification planning model, called the Reference Electrification Model (REM), can illuminate the consequences of different assumptions about electricity demand on technology decisions for Vaishali District in the state of Bihar. This research emphasizes the variety of perspectives and dynamics that influence rural electrification planning and reflects on the challenges of developing a truly transdisciplinary rural electrification planning methodology for India. Thesis: M.C.P., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, 2015.; Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 122-126). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98701 Exploring volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as a novel substrate for microbial oil production Chakraborty, Sagar, Ph. D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cost effective production of biofuels depends critically on feedstock cost and availability. As such, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) can play an important role in advancing sustainable biofuel production since they can be derived from low cost feedstock including gases and municipal solid waste. To this end, we studied fermentations of the oleaginous microbe Yarrowia lipolytica engineered for lipid overproduction. With acetate as sole carbon source, we conducted fed batch fermentations of Y. lipolytica in which acetic acid was maintained at low, non-inhibitory levels yielding high lipid titer of 50 g/L and productivity of 0.25 g/L/h, along with a lipid content of 60%. We also conducted fed batch fermentations with cell recycle to utilize dilute steams of acetic acid that essentially replicated the results of the fed batch process. Carbon balances were satisfied and no excess carbon dioxide production was detected beyond the amounts associated with biomass formation and product synthesis. Acetate is one member of the entire range of VFAs produced from municipal solid waste (MSW) via anaerobic digestion; thus, facilitating the use of MSW as a primary feedstock would be contingent on the ability of the above strain to grow on a mixture of VFAs. Given the insufficient literature examining microbial growth on VFAs, one of the goals of this project was to explore individual as well as mixed VFAs as a feedstock for Y.lipolytica. Dilute stream of mixed VFAs were successfully used as feed in bioreactor studies to obtain high cell density cultures. Similar results with respect to lipid production were obtained in comparison to the study on acetate. In addition, the microbe could tolerate perturbations in the feed composition and grow to similar cell densities. The success in establishing VFAs as a potential substrate for lipid accumulation in Yarrowia lipolytica raises the possibility of a two-stage commercial bioprocess enabling biodiesel production from MSW. Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98551 The reference electrification model : a computer model for planning rural electricity access Ellman, Douglas (Douglas Austin) Despite efforts from governments and other organizations, hundreds of millions of people-primarily in Africa and South Asia-still have no electricity service. Electrification efforts have historically been focused on extension of the main electric grid, but technology developments have made off-grid power systems, such as microgrids and home systems, viable alternatives for some areas. Especially since rural electrification typically depends on limited subsidies, if universal electrification is to be achieved in a timely manner, smart planning is essential to ensure that resources are directed towards cost-efficient technical solutions. Since the areas requiring electrification are expansive, the technology choices are many, and experience with off-grid systems is limited, planners struggle to evaluate tradeoffs between technology choices and estimate project costs. This thesis demonstrates that computer models that can automatically produce cost-efficient designs to the individual customer level can provide significant value to the planning process. The development of such a model by the author and collaborators at MIT and Comillas University, called the Reference Electrification Model (REM), is described. REM uses a series of heuristics to process input data, identify areas better suited for on-grid or off-grid electrification, and produce technical designs for recommended grid-extension and off-grid projects. In addition to the current state of REM, the rationale for model design choices and recommendations for future developments are described. The process and results of a pilot application of REM to Vaishali District, in Bihar, India are also described. REM will only be useful if it is actually incorporated into planning processes. In this spirit, concepts for how models like REM can benefit the regulation of rural electrification are presented, with a focus on India. Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 106-109). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98548 System model of small-scale gas-to-methanol conversion by engine reformers Acocella, Angela J. (Angela Josephine) As global energy demands grow and environmental concerns over resource extraction methods intensify, high impact solutions are becoming increasingly essential. Venting and flaring of associated natural gas represents significant environmental and financial losses yet it continues in the North Dakota Bakken oil play. The valuable gas resource is wasted due to unfavorable economics and limited pipeline capacity. Similarly in India, underdeveloped gas transport infrastructure and restrictive regulatory frameworks prevent distribution and marketing of natural gas from the northeast regions, leaving it stranded in marginal fields. This thesis establishes a techno-economic model, utilizing Aspen Plus chemical processing software, and a discounted cash flow model to estimate economic feasibility of implementing MIT engine reformer-based gas-to-liquids (GTL) systems in the US or India. The system reforms natural gas via partial oxidation into synthesis gas (syngas) in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, and can significantly reduce capital costs over conventional GTL reforming processes. The engine is operated in fuel rich conditions to generate the syngas, which is synthesized into methanol and dimethyl ether (DME). Once produced on-site, these liquids are more easily transported than gases. This study assesses the regulatory structures surrounding the upstream methane resource and downstream end product marketability for three scenarios: use of DME to replace existing local (1) diesel and (2) liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or (3) sale of methanol as a commodity chemical on domestic or global markets. The analysis shows the system is economical in both locations. In the US, the minimum economically efficient production capacity with a 1-2 year payback period is 400,000- 860,000 standard cubic feet per day (scfpd) of natural gas for the range of end use scenarios considered. Differences in costs and product market characteristics in India result in a minimum efficient capacity of 330,000-810,000 scfpd of natural gas for the three scenarios. Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 88-93). 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/92132 Design and evaluation of a cantilever beam-type prosthetic foot for Indian persons with amputations Olesnavage, Kathryn M The goal of this work is to design a low cost, high performance prosthetic foot in collaboration with Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), in Jaipur, India. In order to be adopted, the foot must cost less than $10 USD, be mass-manufacturable, and meet or exceed the performance of the Jaipur Foot, BMVSS' current prosthetic foot. This thesis investigates different metrics that are used to design and evaluate prosthetic feet and presents an analysis and evaluation of a solid ankle, cantilever beam - type prosthetic foot. Methods of comparing prosthetic feet in industry and in academia are discussed using a review of literature. These comparisons can be categorized into mechanical, metabolic, subjective, and gait analysis comparisons. The mechanical parameters are the most useful for designing a new prosthetic foot, as they are readily translated into engineering design requirements; however, these are the furthest removed from the performance of the foot. On the other end of the spectrum are metabolic and subjective parameters, which are useful in evaluating prosthetic feet because the objectives of minimizing energy expenditure and earning user approval are clear. Somewhere between these is gait analysis. The literature review reveals that not enough information is available to bridge these categories, that is, there is no consensus on how any particular mechanical parameter affects the subjective ranking of a prosthetic foot. Two mechanical parameters emerge as necessary, but not sufficient: the rollover shape and the energy storage and return capacity of a prosthetic foot. A simple model of a solid ankle, cantilever beam - type prosthetic foot is analyzed in the context of these two parameters. By applying beam bending theory and published gait analysis data, it is found that an unconstrained cantilever beam maximizes energy storage and return, but does not replicate a physiological roll-over shape well regardless of bending stiffness. Finite element analysis is used to find the roll-over shape and energy storage capacity from the same model when a mechanical constraint is added to prevent over deflection. The results show that for very compliant beams, the roll-over shape is nearly identical to the physiological rollover shape, but the energy storage capacity is low. For stiff beams, the opposite is true. Thus there is a trade-off between roll-over shape and energy storage capacity for cantilever beam type feet that fit this model. Further information is required to determine the relative importance of each of these parameters before an optimal bending stiffness can be found. A proof-of-concept prototype was built according to this model and tested in India at BMVSS. It was found that another parameter - perception of stability, which is perhaps dependent on the rate of forward progression of the center of pressure is equally important as, if not more than, the other parameters investigated here. Perception of stability increased with bending stiffness. The prototype foot received mixed feedback and has potential to be further refined. However, the solid ankle model is inappropriate for persons living in India, as it does not allow enough true dorsiflexion to permit squatting, an important activity that is done many times a day in the target demographic. Future work will use a similar method to design and optimize a prosthetic foot with a rotational ankle joint to allow this motion. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/92115 Justification of village scale photovoltaic powered electrodialysis desalination systems for rural India Wright, Natasha C. (Natasha Catherine) This thesis justifies photovoltaic (PV)-powered electrodialysis (ED) as an energy and cost-effective means of desalinating groundwater in rural India and presents the design requirements for a village-level system. Saline groundwater, which underlies 60% of India, can negatively impact health as well as cause a water source to be discarded because of its taste. A quarter of India's population lives in villages of 2000-5000 people, many of whom do not have reliable access to electricity. Most village-scale, ongrid desalination plants use reverse osmosis (RO), which is economically unviable in off-grid locations. Technical and ethnographic factors are used to develop an argument for PV-ED for rural locations, including: system capacity, biological and chemical contaminant removal; water aesthetics; recovery ratio; energy source; economics of water provision; maintenance; and the energetic and cost considerations of available technologies. Within the salinity range of groundwater in India, ED requires less specific energy than RO (75% less at 1,000 ppm and 30% less at 3,000 ppm). At 2,000 ppm, this energetic scaling translates to a 50% lower PV power system cost for ED versus RO. PV-ED has the potential to greatly expand the reach of desalination units for rural India. Additionally, a theoretical model for an electrodialysis system is presented and validated through experimental trials. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 67-74). 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/91431 Toward accessible evaluation of the electrophysiology of human vision Canham, Amy Elizabeth As photoreceptors in our retinas capture discrete photons, that energy is converted into an electrochemical signal which shoots back through the optic nerve and into our visual cortex. We can sample that signal as it's transmitted, by delivering specific stimuli and recording the aggregate response of the photoreceptors, but systems which accomplish this in current practice are out of reach for most ophthalmic clinics and completely unavailable to consumers. With a reimagined signal capture system and an optimized system design, I demonstrate a robust method for capturing the electrical signals emitted from the retina. With the improved accessibility and decreased cost of this technology, there are immediate opportunities for improved ophthalmic care on a broad scale. But beyond the clinical implications, accessible electroretinography presents an unprecedented opportunity for individuals to characterize their specific experience of color, contrast, and movement, making way for a whole new paradigm of tailored display technologies. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 75-77). 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/91418 Tracing public space : a participatory approach to transform public spaces in low-income communities Vargas, Ana Cristina, S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Rapid urban growth has challenged our traditional planning methods. It has been a driver for the increase of overcrowded informal settlements in major cities of the developing world, which shelter one third of the world population. Lack of infrastructure, open spaces, and unsafe structures challenge the livelihoods of their citizens. Consequently, over the last fifty years, governments have addressed this issue in different ways, from eradicating informal settlements and building new housing, to retrofitting the existing conditions with infrastructure and public spaces through slum rehabilitation. Accepting the idea of working with existing developments to improve the status quo, architects, planners, artists and activists in general have relied on participatory planning and community engagement to improve urban conditions by addressing underlying local needs through small-scale interventions. This thesis introduces a new methodology to study, create awareness and inspire future leaders, children, to take action to transform public spaces in high-density informal settlements. It proposes a multi scalar bottom-up analysis, with innovative tools of representation and design to address the challenges of community public spaces. The 'Tracing Public Space' method has been developed through fieldwork in India, Venezuela and the USA. The method is based in observation, representation and design using a 'toolkit' that enables a two-way learning process between the designer as an 'outsider' and children as 'insiders'. The thesis is focused on fieldwork done in the Malvani Transit Camp in Mumbai where over forty years of informal and permanent growth the existence of open shared courtyards is threatened. These small-scale open spaces are crucial for communities, and particularly for the women and children who are their main users. Tracing Public Space becomes a vehicle to sensitize the community to protect courtyards from encroachments and promote an inclusive and adaptive use of shared space. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architecture, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Vita.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 133-135). 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/90719 Catalyzing entrepreneurship from the ground up : an experiment in small-town India Nair, Rajesh Muraleedharan Entrepreneurs are essential for creating companies, jobs and growing wealth in communities. Currently, existing entrepreneurial programs start with self-identified entrepreneurs and provide facilities for their growth. However, these programs fail to tap into a whole community of latent youth entrepreneurs. Can more of such youth, with no prior exposure to entrepreneurship, be catalyzed into starting new ventures? If so, how? These questions are addressed in this study with a particular focus on engineering student communities in small town India. By conducting experiments we test the hypothesis that the entrepreneurial attitude of students can be changed through a specially designed learning workshop on innovation, fabrication and entrepreneurship. The subject of this research is the design of the curriculum for this workshop, and the analysis of the effects of the workshop on two experimental student communities. The students were selected without any requirements on academic performance or entrepreneurial experience and aptitude. The results of the experiments show, overwhelmingly, that a significant change in entrepreneurial thinking can be achieved and indicate clearly that innovators and entrepreneurs can be created from ordinary student populations with the right kind of teaching. This can have huge implications for building entrepreneurship ecosystems in different parts of the world, giving average individuals the opportunity to be entrepreneurs. Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, System Design and Management Program, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 101-104). 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/90697 Strategies for the introduction of alternative fuel vehicles in India Neerkaje, Abhijith Rapid growth in population and increase in disposable income has led to a robust increase in automotive sales in India. As in many parts of the world, the internal combustion engines are the dominant vehicle power train in India. This has led to increase in tailpipe emissions in congested cities as well as increased consumption of crude oil. India needs to devise effective strategies to introduce fuel efficient nonpolluting Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) to reduce GHG emissions and reduce oil consumption. In 2013, the Government of India unveiled a National Electric Mobility Mission Plan to promote AFV sales in India in a coordinated manner. Many similar, well-intentioned programs have been tried in the past. However, the creation of sustainable AFV markets has remained a challenge. This work presents the development of a multiplatform system dynamics model that helps one explore the dynamics of adoption of AFVs in Indian context. Using the model we explore three unique policy scenarios where the adoption of AFVs is studied. We show that the successful AFV adoption is dependent not just on providing demand side incentives, but also on promoting the creation of the refueling infrastructure. Results also show that Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle has the potential to be the dominant alternative fuel vehicle platform in India provided effective policies are in place. Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, System Design and Management Program, 2013.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 42-46). 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/90204 Building stability through decentralization : the environmental, economic, and ethical argument for informal sector collection and decentralized waste processing in urban India Howe, Caroline Louise Rapid population growth, urbanization and increasing affluence have led to increases in consumption and waste generation in all Indian cities. The current system, a mix of informal recyclables collection and centralized waste collection by the formal sector with much garbage still disposed of in unlined landfills, is at a point of crisis. With waste generation far outpacing processing capacity, cities know they must invest in "improving" waste management systems, yet a key question is whether to invest in centralized or decentralized, formal or informal waste systems, or combine the strengths of both. This research asks what approach to waste management in India will increase stability, economic and environmental sustainability, and social benefit. To answer those questions, I conducted a case study of Pune, since the city has implemented centralized waste processing, followed by supporting informal sector collection and instituting decentralized collection. The diversity of its methods and the many challenges Pune has faced have allowed me to analyze the benefits, impacts and limitations of each of these approaches. For the case study, I conducted more than 50 interviews of city staff, waste pickers, waste picker cooperative staff, restaurant managers, and citizens. Based on this analysis, and comparison to other Indian cities, including Delhi and Bangalore, I have concluded that the best solution for most Indian cities is to build the capacity of the informal sector while also creating decentralized processing infrastructure to handle organics and non-recyclable waste. While this approach is challenging, it is possible, and I have created a set of recommendations in order to implement this effectively. These guidelines include the following: 1) conduct long-term planning across city departments to have proactive approach to waste generation; 2) focus on waste reduction and eliminate most non-recyclable and non-biodegradable waste streams; 3) invest in the capacities of the informal sector, including giving waste pickers space for sorting, more information on their rights, and support; 4) build decentralized waste processing systems for organics and non-recyclables that create benefits for and minimize impacts on host communities; and 5) site all facilities more equitably by building community consensus. Thesis: M.C.P., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 51-54). 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/90068 Application of bi-directional ICT channels to increase livelihoods for artisans in rural India Emani, Sriram The handicraft industry is the second largest employer in rural India after agriculture, and has been the fastest-growing export growth sector since India's liberalization in 1991. Today, however, millions of artisans face a lack of infrastructure, stagnation and mis-alignment with a rapidly changing market, intense competition, decline of the natural materials on which they depend, and the lack of the information and skills needed to benefit from new market opportunities. Artisans are confronted by new challenges that include those associated with technology, communication and intellectual property. My research will focus on identifying steps in the handicraft value chain where ICT intervention can create better communication and bi-directional feedback channels between artisans and buyers. The study includes an analysis of the most common handicraft value chains today and the major needs and challenges identified by groups of artisans and retailers surveyed across four different locations in India. The study also includes interviews and perspectives of the stakeholders of the handicraft value chain. Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, June 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (page 29). 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/90061 Environmental and economic tradeoffs in building materials production in India Schuchman, Nina Shayne The current and projected growth of India's economy and population will continue to lead to increased demand for buildings and infrastructure, and there is a real need to consider what this increase means in terms of natural resource depletion, air pollution, contributions to global warming through greenhouse gas emissions during production and transport, and energy demands to be placed on an already strained energy network. Fired-clay bricks are the most commonly used building material in India, but recently, masonry units that don't require firing (stabilized bricks) have penetrated the market. There has been an exploration of the amalgamation of traditional earthen building materials combined with chemical binders. While these masonry materials are often considered superior in terms of environmental impact due to their lack of firing in visceral, black smoke-producing kilns, as well as their typically local (even on-site) production, there has been limited research into their actual environmental footprint. This thesis establishes models for robust analysis, and analyzes the environmental and cost tradeoffs associated with various building materials' choices to evaluate the hypothesis that the optimal materials choice is heavily dependent on the local soil composition and industrial ecosystem. That is, there is likely not one answer to the question of which is better: traditional fired clay bricks (red bricks) or alternative, cementitious materials, and instead, decision making must be assisted by analysis of the overall environmental impact of the upstream production and transportation of each material. Because of the variety of conditions throughout India, there is a need for this sort of tool to perform these analyses to determine the conditions under which different building materials have better environmental and/or economic outcomes. The analyses performed in this thesis conclude that there is the potential for alternative materials to break into the market, particularly in areas where red bricks are not produced on an industrial scale. Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 87-91). 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/85225 Development of an efficient off-grid pumping system and evaporation reduction strategies to increase access to irrigation for smallholder farmers in India Gorbaty, Emily Due to the unavailability of electricity, about 85% of groundwater irrigation in eastern India employs fuel-powered surface pumps, which can have system efficiencies as low as 5%. As fuel prices continue to rise, impoverished smallholder farmers cannot afford the operation costs of their systems and, as a result, irrigate less land. This research aimed to develop a more efficient off-grid system that eliminates suction head while continuing to utilize a fuel engine on the surface. Design requirements included increased discharge, increased efficiency, portability, maintainability, availability of replacement parts, and affordability. Flow rates and efficiencies of Indian pumps at varying pressure heads were tested to establish baseline performance and test the hypothesis that removing suction lift reduces operation costs. It was found that eliminating suction head can decrease operation costs up to 44% for the farmers. Fuel-driven system options investigated include flexible shafts and telescoping shafts to transmit power from a surface engine to a submersible pump, fluid machinery such as semi-open hydraulic systems, jet pumps, compressed air motors, and air lifts, and off-grid electricity generation employing a household backup generator or automotive alternator. However, none of these alternatives met all the design requirements. Instead, a hybrid motorized-manual rope pump was prototyped and tested on a well in Ruitola, Jharkhand. Although this system does not meet all the design requirements, it has the added benefit of providing domestic water supply. The prototype discharged an average of 155.4 L/min in motorized mode and 17.2 L/min for men and 13.3 L/min for women in manual mode. The rope pump received positive feedback from the users and thus could be taken forward with several modifications to improve performance. To increase the available water resources, evaporation reduction strategies to limit water loss from farm tanks were explored. The strategies employed waste materials and included covering a water surface with waste PET bottles and floats comprised of PET waste bottles and old saris. While waste bottles proved promising in a preliminary test, data in a larger experiment has thus far proved inconclusive and further testing is needed. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2013.; This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.; Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 216-223). 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/82357 Identification of design requirements for a high-performance, low-cost, passive prosthetic knee through user analysis and dynamic simulation Narang, Yashraj S. (Yashraj Shyam) In January 2012, a partnership was initiated between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS, a.k.a., Jaipur Foot) to design a high-performance, low-cost, passive prosthetic knee for transfemoral amputees in India. The knee was primarily intended to improve the walking gait of amputees relative to existing low-cost devices. This thesis aimed to identify detailed design requirements for the prosthetic knee through user analysis and dynamic simulation. User analysis identified the needs and constraints of numerous stakeholders in the prosthesis development process. Members of the Indian biomechanics, prosthetics, and rehabilitation communities were interviewed to identify general requirements for the design, manufacturing, evaluation, and fitting of a prosthetic knee, and a structured survey of Indian amputees was conducted to quantify the demographics, functional capabilities, and functional needs of future end users. Dynamic simulation identified methods to enable transfemoral amputees to walk with reduced energy expenditure and normative gait kinematics. 2-dimensional inverse dynamics simulations were used to calculate the effects of inertial alterations of a prosthetic leg on the energy expenditure required to walk with normative kinematics. In addition, simulations were performed to compute the effects of inertial alterations on the knee moment required to walk with normative kinematics. Mechanical power analysis, sensitivity analysis, and optimization were used to formulate a passive mechanical model that could accurately reproduce the specified knee moment. The effects of walking cadence on critical results were also examined. Through the identification of user-centered and biomechanical requirements, the thesis provides a blueprint for the mechanism design comprising the next phase of the project. Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2013.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references. 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z