SYSTEM EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
The Busse Lab will conduct work to evaluate the impact and feasibility of systems using multi-faceted approaches, highlighting socio-techno-economic aspects of decision making. Global efforts to increase the number of people with access to safe, reliable drinking water have faced many barriers, ranging from human factors (i.e., culture, atheistic preferences) to technical system parameters (i.e., sustainability, reliability, maintenance, economic). However, identifying optimal ways to overcome these barriers remains a critical challenge as the network and interplay of these factors is still poorly defined. Our lab will explore the integration and prioritization of the complex set of variables that define and drive water treatment system adoption and usage.
PAST PROJECTS
Ultraviolet- and Chlorine-based Water Treatment in Kenya (2017 - 2021)
Team: Dr. Margaret Busse, Dr. John Maiyo, Dr. Chad Jafvert, and Dr. Ernest Blatchley III
Our team worked to implement ultraviolet- and chlorine-based water disinfection systems at schools in Kenya. Three systems used UV and one system used chlorine. We conducted surveys to evaluate user acceptance of these systems.
Case Study Information: https://www.iuva.org/UN-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Task-Force
Sustainable Water System Development in the Dominican Republic (2014 - 2021)
Team: Water Supply In Developing Countries Course (Purdue University)
Through a student-led service-learning course, our interdisciplinary team of engineers, food scientists, nurses, biologist, and agricultural economists worked to develop sustainable drinking water treatment solutions for primary schools in the Dominican Republic.
Case Study Information | Course Webpage
Relevant Publications
Sinfield, J. V., Kotian, R. R., & Busse, M. M. (2019). Application of comprehensive issue analysis to inform development research in East Africa, Part 2: Food Security (FS); Water, Sanitation and Health (WaSH). LASER PULSE R4DInnovative Science Frameworks Tools Technical ReportSeries Innovative Leadership Students Program, Purdue University West Lafayette.
Sinfield, J. V., Kotian, R. R., & Busse, M. M. (2019). Application of comprehensive issue analysis to inform development research in East Africa, Part 1: Basic Education (BE), Maternal/Child Healthcare (MCH). LASER PULSE R4DInnovative Science Frameworks Tools Technical ReportSeries Innovative Leadership Students Program, Purdue University West Lafayette.
Alwang, A., Busse, M., Caprio, A., Fenton, M., Hawes, J., Kanach, A., & McElfresh-Sutton, A. (2017). Water supply in developing countries: Student experiences in the Dominican Republic. Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement, 4(1), 7.