Theses
2024
Development of a Computational Tool for Simplifying Engineering Tradeoff Analysis for the Design of Cost-Optimized, Time-Variant, Electrodialysis Reversal Desalination Systems
Jeffrey Costello, Master’s Thesis (MIT, September 2024)
Design of an Affordable, Precise Irrigation Controller that Lowers the Barrier to Water- and Energy-Sustainable Agriculture
Carolyn Sheline, PhD Thesis (MIT, February 2024)
2023
Bringing the Water-Efficiency Benefits of Precision Irrigation to Resource-Constrained Farms Through an Automatic Scheduling-Manual Operation Irrigation Tool
Georgia Van de Zande, PhD Thesis (MIT, September 2023)
Design of a Mass-Manufacturable Globally Distributable Passive Prosthetic Foot
Urvaksh Irani, Master’s Thesis (MIT, September 2023)
Analysis of Error in a Model Predictive Irrigation Controller
Samuel Ingersoll, Master’s Thesis (MIT, September 2023)
Technoeconomic feasibility of decentralized desalination in the Navajo Nation
Melissa Brei, Master’s Thesis (MIT, September 2023)
Design of a market-ready tractor for small farms in low- and middle-income countries
Collin Goldbach, Master’s Thesis (MIT, September 2023)
Mapping the Electrodialysis Architecture Design Space by Determining Optimal System Configurations for Different Production Outputs
Jimmy Tran, Master’s Thesis (MIT, June 2023)
2022
An Assessment of Community-Scale Electrodialysis Desalination Systems and Improved Scale Mitigation through Pulsed Operation
Rashed Al-Rashed, PhD Thesis (MIT, September 2022)
Design and Mechanical Validation of Commercially Viable, Personalized Passive Prosthetic Feet
Charlotte Folinus, Master’s Thesis (MIT, May 2022)
Simple, sustainable, water straight from the sun - batteryless electrodialysis desalination
Jon Bessette, Master’s Thesis (MIT, May 2022)
Feasibility and Design of Solar-Powered Electrodialysis Reversal for Agriculture Applications
Jacob Easley, Master’s Thesis (MIT, May 2022)
2021
Making Decentralized Desalination More Affordable Using Improved Process Design, Control, and Energy Recovery
Sahil Shah, PhD Thesis (MIT, September 2021)
Development and Validation of a Passive Prosthetic Foot Design Framework based on Lower Leg Dynamics
Victor Prost, PhD Thesis (MIT, September 2021)
Design of a Novel Mechatronic System to Test Prosthetic Feet Under Specific Walking Activity Loads and Evaluate their Lower Leg Trajectory Error
Heidi Peterson, Master’s Thesis (MIT, September 2021)
Predictive Time-Variant Photovoltaic Electrodialysis Reversal: A Novel Design Optimization using Predictive Machine Learning and Control Theory
Grace Connors, Master’s Thesis (MIT, May 2021)
Quantifying the Energetic Costs of Photovoltaic Pumping Systems (PVPSs) for Sub-Saharan African Smallholder Farms
Zhi Liang, Master’s Thesis (MIT, May 2021)
2020
An assessment of high-value near-term engineering innovations for Indian sanitation
Elliott Donlon, Master’s Thesis (MIT, September 2020)
Parametric design and performance validation of low-cost, low-pressure drip emitters and irrigation systems
Julia Sokol, PhD Thesis (MIT, September 2020)
Architecture and unit design of a capital cost optimized, household electrodialysis desalination device with continuous flow
Hannah Varner, Master’s Thesis (MIT, September 2020)
Tractor design for small farms in resource limited markets
Diaz Lankenau, G.F., PhD Thesis (MIT, Feb 2020)
2019
Design of High Performance Hybrid Transmissions
Dorsch, D., PhD Thesis (MIT, September 2019)
Frameworks for the design of passive prosthetic knee components using user-centered methods and biomechanics of level-ground walking
Arelekatti, M., PhD Thesis (MIT, September 2019)
Time-Variant Solar-Powered Electrodialysis Reversal Desalination for Affordable Off-Grid Clean Water Supply
Le Henaff, A-C., Master's Thesis (MIT, September 2019)
Lowering the Cost of Solar-Powered Drip Irrigation Systems for Smallholder Farmers Through Systems-Level Modeling, Optimization, and Field Testing
Sheline, C., Master's Thesis (MIT, September 2019)
Exploring the Role of Damping in a Passive Prosthetic Knee through Modeling, Design, and Testing
Petelina, N., Master's Thesis (MIT, September 2019)
Development and Validation of a Systems-Level Cost Optimization Tool for Solar-Powered Drip Irrigation Systems for Smallholder Farms
Grant, F., Master's Thesis (MIT, September 2019)
2018
2017
Development and validation of a novel framework for designing and optimizing passive prosthetic feet using lower leg trajectory
Olesnavage, K.M., PhD Thesis (MIT, 2017)
Experimental validation of the Lower Leg Trajectory Error, an optimization metric for prosthetic feet
Prost, V., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2017)
The mechanics of tractor performance and their impact on historical and future device designs
Diaz Lankenau, G.F., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2017)
A hybrid computational and analytical model of irrigation drip emitters
Narain, J., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2017)
Cost optimization of a solar-powered electrodialysis desalination system
Watson, S., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2017)
Design, development, and field-testing of a cost-optimized village-scale, photovoltaic-powered, electrodialysis reversal water desalination system for rural India
Bian, D., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2017)
Cost-optimal design of a household batch electrodialysis desalination device
Shah, S.R., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2017)
2016
Modeling and Designing the Future of Drip Irrigation: A Validated Parametric Analysis Used to Design Low Power, Pressure Compensating Drip Emitters
Shamshery, P., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2016)
Decentralized Water Treatment in Urban India, and the Potential Impacts of Reverse Osmosis Water Purifiers
Connor, C., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2016)
2015
Design of Low-Cost, Fully Passive Prosthetic Knee for Persons with Transfemoral Amputation in India
Arelekatti, V. N. M., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2015)
Reducing the Power Required for Irrigation: Designing Low-Pressure, Pressure-Compensating Drip Irrigation Emitters and High Efficiency Solar-Powered Pumps for Emerging Markets
Taylor, K., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2015)
A methodology for turbocharging single cylinder four stroke internal combustion engines
Buchman, M., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2015)
An Investigation of the Critical Timescales Needed for Digging in Wet and Dry Soil Using a Biomimetic Burrowing Robot
Isava, M., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2015)
Discussion of the Development Process, Identification of Design Requirements, and Implementation of Improvements to a Point-of-Use Water Purifier in India
Ricks, S. A., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2015)
Design of a Biologically-Inspired Underwater Burrowing Robot with On-Board Actuation
Dorsch, D., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2015)
2014
Design and Evaluation of a Cantilever Beam – Type Prosthetic Foot for Indian Persons with Amputations
Olesnavage, K.., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2014)
Justification of village scale photovoltaic powered electrodialysis desalination systems for rural India
Wright, N. C., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2014)
Developing World Users as Lead Users: A Case Study in Engineering Reverse Innovation
Judge, B., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2014)
2013
Identification of design requirements for a high-performance, low-cost, passive prosthetic knee through user analysis and dynamic simulation
Narang, Y., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2013)
Waste-Based Cooking Fuels for Developing Countries: Combustion Emissions and Field Feasibility
Banzaert, A., PhD Thesis (MIT, 2013)
2012
Design of a Low-cost Autoclave for Adoption in Rural Health Clinics
Tao, G.D., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2012)
2010
Biologically Inspired Mechanisms for Burrowing in Undersea Substrates
Winter V, A.G., PhD Thesis (MIT, 2010)
2009
Design of Fluid Film Journal Bearings Containing Continuous 3D Fluid Pathways which are Formed by Wrapping a Sheet Containing 2D Through-Cut Features
Winter V, A.G., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2009)