With permission from their department coordinators, undergraduate students at the University of Pittsburgh use a variety of credit bearing project course opportunities to participate in research and service-learning projects such as Senior Research Projects, Special Projects, senior design projects and Engineering for Humanity Certificate projects to:

  1. Develop and implement research and student service-learning projects regarding all aspects of low-cost ceramic water filters manufactured with locally sourced materials.
  2. Provide technical support to NGOs and community organizations that develop and implement low-cost water filters.

Graduate students involved in the Ceramic Filter Project focus on closely related research and assist undergraduate students with their research and service-learning projects.

The Ceramic filter Project also maintains an archive of previous projects and associated databases.

  • The Effect of Sawdust Particle Size on the Hydraulic Conductivity
  • The Effect of the Fugitive Phase on Hydraulic Conductivity of Low-Cost Ceramic Filters.
  • The Effect of Sawdust Particles on the Pore Structure and Properties of Low-Cost Ceramic Filters.
  • Effect of Weight Fraction of Coarse Sawdust on Hydraulic Conductivity of Low-Cost Ceramic Filters.
  • Analyzing the Porosity of Low-Cost Ceramic Water Filters Through X-ray Microtomography.
  • The Effect of Increasing Weight Percent of Sawdust Fugitive Phase on the Hydraulic Conductivity in Ceramic Filters.
  • Clay-Bonded Sand Water Filters
  • Effect of Heating Rate During Firing on Hydraulic Conductivity of Ceramic Filters
  • Alternative Fugitive Phases in Ceramic Water Filters.
  • Potential Use of Geopolymer Water Filters for Low-Income Communities.
  • The Copper Coil: Design of a New Household Water Storage System for the Less Developed World.
  • Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Use in Ceramic Filters.
  • In-situ Reaction in Ceramic Filters.
  • Antibacterial Copper Treatments for Low-Cost Ceramic Water Filters.

  • Effect of Silver Nanoparticle Coatings on Mycobacterial Biofilm Attachment and Growth: Implications for Ceramic Water Filters.
  • Ag-Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticle Synthesis and Properties.


Professional Development

Students are encouraged to attend our regular meetings and participate in Ceramic Filter Project workshops to develop relevant knowledge and skills for their research or service-learning project. The students are also mentored to encourage them to remain active in the development and implementation of ceramic water filters after graduation.