Theses - CITE

Pump-sizing software tool for small-scale solar-powered irrigation systems in water-scarce conditions : a case study in Uttar Pradesh

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Pump-sizing software tool for small-scale solar-powered irrigation systems in water-scarce conditions : a case study in Uttar Pradesh Sung, Christina Two small-scale well-irrigation systems in rural Uttar Pradesh which had previously operated via diesel pumps have been modified to operate via solar pumps. The regions where the irrigation systems are located are currently experiencing drought, and the well of one of the systems runs dry during irrigation. It is hypothesized that the 3HP solar pumps installed in the systems are larger than necessary, and are overdrawing from the water supply. A pump-sizing software tool was developed in Excel Spreadsheets to model and analyze the two specific systems, as well as to aid in future pump-sizing for long-term water sustainability for similar types of irrigation systems operating in water-scarce conditions. It was determined that the 3HP pumps installed in the irrigation systems are not unreasonably large for the crop water demands, and that under drought conditions, it was inevitable that continued irrigation at the two sites studied would eventually lead to well depletion and is thus unsustainable. Focusing on pump-sizing for these types of irrigation systems in water-scarce conditions may not be as effective for water sustainability as adjusting the irrigation systems and methods at the sites. Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2017.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (page 20).

Supply chain financing in Developing countries

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Supply chain financing in Developing countries Breitbach, Timothy W There is no definitive blueprint for ending poverty and increasing prosperity across the globe, but the World Bank argues that inclusive economic growth is critical to achieving global development goals. This thesis focuses on supply chain financing, and its potential to make a positive and lasting impact on people and businesses in resource-constrained environments. It seeks to develop a better understanding of how supply chain and finance structures impact profits, sales growth and risk. The two-phased research design seeks to address the gap in the supply chain and development literature on supply chain finance in small and medium sized firms in developing countries. The first phase consists of exploratory, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in international development, financing and supply chain management. The exploratory interviews were used to develop an understanding of how relevant stakeholders think about and make supply chain finance decisions. Additionally, the interviews were used to identify a company and supply chain for a multiple case study upon which the second phase of research is based. The company is a clean energy product distributor that has partnered with one of the largest banks in Kenya to provide consumer financing for clean energy products. The case analysis includes an in-depth examination of the company's financial performance by sales channel, drawing upon sales records and accounting documents. Interviews were conducted with the company's management, suppliers, sales force, retailers and bank lending agents. The mixed methods case study is used to extend hypotheses developed during the exploratory interviews and further develop theory on the role of financing in developing country supply chains. The exploratory interviews and case study are used to develop a framework of how stakeholders in consumer durable goods markets think about scale in developing countries. The World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) and Doing Business Report (DBR) data sets are used to demonstrate how organizations can base supply chain decisions on infrastructure, logistics and governance structures within a country. This research can be used by for-profit and not-for-profit entities when making resource allocation and supply chain design decisions in developing markets. Thesis: Ph. D. in Engineering Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, 2017.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references.

Experimentation with procurement to design and model supply chains in developing economies

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Experimentation with procurement to design and model supply chains in developing economies Brennan, Mark E., S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology This thesis proposes experimentation with procurement as a convenient tool to generate data, reveal supply chain phenomena, and garner access to stakeholders in developing economies. Based on experimentation with procurement, stylized analytical models of supply chains in developing economies can then be generated. In particular this thesis explores experimentation with procurement in the context of food aid supply chains. In local and regional procurement, in which food is bought in a developing economy, and transoceanic procurement, in which food is bought in a developed economy and shipped to a developing economy, supply chain design is central to the humanitarian outcomes of food aid. Designing food aid supply chains involves weighing trade-offs between cost, quality, lead time, and the various interests that shape food aid policy. This thesis relies on two food aid supply chain case studies to build generalizable theory about experimentation with procurement. 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 101-106).

A mixed methods approach to modeling personal protective equipment supply chains for infectious disease outbreak response

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

A mixed methods approach to modeling personal protective equipment supply chains for infectious disease outbreak response Gooding, Emily J. (Emily Joanne) Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to the protection of healthcare workers responding to infectious disease outbreaks. The ability of the PPE supply chain to provide adequate and consistent supply when there is a large spike in demand has not been well-considered. Humanitarian logistics literature rarely considers infectious disease outbreaks as possible humanitarian crises while epidemiology literature assumes perfectly responsive supply chains. This thesis uses a mixed methods approach - an exploratory case study and system dynamics model - to bridge the gap between these two fields. It provides one approach for connecting epidemiology and supply chain research. An explanatory case study of the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak is used to analyze the PPE supply chain and its in-crisis functionality. We gather primary data using semi-structured interviews with supply chain actors and analyze that data using qualitative coding analysis. The system dynamics model is developed based on the results of the case study to offer insight as to how the PPE supply chain could be improved to better respond to future outbreaks. Several scenarios are simulated to test the effects of various supply chain improvement strategies. Relationship-building between supply chain actors, unconstrained shipping channels, flexible funding pools, and pre-positioning are all found to be effective supply chain improvement strategies. 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 115-121).

Development of sensor based evaluation methodologies for developing world products

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Development of sensor based evaluation methodologies for developing world products Sundararaman, Prithiviraj Often consumers in the developed world have a wide range of options available to them when considering a certain product family, such as a smartphone. The plethora of options is in large part a result of the degree to which the supply chains have advanced in the developed world. Organizations such as Consumer Reports have distilled information about the products available to consumer in the form of comparative ratings charts to help them make a purchasing decision. These product evaluations provide valuable information on the quality of a product, but are limited to the perspective of the developed world consumer. In contrast, there are many barriers in providing a product to a consumer in the developing world. A multitude of poverty alleviating products have been developed, but few have been successful. The Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology seeks to adapt product evaluation methodologies such as those employed by Consumer Reports to evaluate developing world products. This thesis documents the challenges in adapting the methodology and demonstrates that in order to create a successful product in the developing world, aspects of design, manufacturing, distribution, and consumer adoption must be assessed. A biomass fueled improved cookstove case study is presented to explain these four stages and how they may be evaluated. In addition, a sensor based method and neural network based processing algorithm is presented as a cost-effective and accurate way to gauge adoption of improved cookstoves. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2016.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 88-90).

Rethinking the design paradigm for university technology projects in international development

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Rethinking the design paradigm for university technology projects in international development Lesniewski, Victor Adam Since the appropriate technology movement of the 1970s, technology and engineering from developed countries have played a role in international development. In recent years, universities have created graduate-level programs that look to engage students to solve challenges faced by resource-constrained communities globally by leveraging technology and innovation. These projects must balance the need for graduate students to produce scholarly research and the objective of creating impactful interventions for the world's poor and marginalized population. Furthermore, these projects must be conducted responsibly, remotely, and in fulfillment of project sponsors. This thesis explores two projects to better understand such engineering for development initiatives. The first project is a technology evaluation project that aimed to design and employ methodologies to determine which products in the "developing world" worked best. Specifically, the project's first evaluation on solar lanterns used in Uganda is described. The second project is a technology development project that sought to develop a scalable electricity grid technology platform to provide universal electricity access in India. The two projects are documented as case studies and conceptualized as design processes, specifically product development processes. Through the lens of the structured product development process, selected aspects of the cases are further explained and secondary literature serves as a basis for suggesting alternative design decisions and actions. Although the successes and failures of the two cases are not assessed in this work, the analysis suggests that technology-focused graduate-level projects in international development may explore alternative approaches that more carefully consider (1) early-stage planning, (2) contextualization of the technology focus, (3) project timescales, and (4) the intent of community engagement. Further work is needed to document and analyze the processes of other projects in this space and to understand how they vary. The product development process may be a useful tool in understanding how these projects might systematically achieve both scholarly and international development impact through the use of design and engineering. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 65-67).

Using multi-criteria decision analysis to assess private sector agents' preferences and priorities in stocking malaria rapid diagnostic test kits in Uganda

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Using multi-criteria decision analysis to assess private sector agents' preferences and priorities in stocking malaria rapid diagnostic test kits in Uganda Carland, Corinne M Diagnosis of malaria is important in order to ensure early and effective treatment, to facilitate public health surveillance, and to prevent drug resistance. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are an important tool in resource-constrained settings, as they do not rely on costly lab equipment and specially trained personnel. In Uganda's private sector clinics and drug shops, which is where the majority of patients first seek care, diagnosis of malaria is often presumptive and patients receive neither RDT nor microscopy. Several studies have focused on the patient perspective (e.g. willingness to pay and willingness to be tested) but much less is understood about the supplier perspective (e.g. willingness to stock). This study aimed to understand the preferences and priorities of agents across the malaria RDT supply chain in Uganda on stocking the devices using multi-criteria decision analysis. This methodology was adapted to be relevant and understandable for agents in Uganda so that it was possible to analyze business decisions incorporating a multiplicity of attributes such as selling price, purchase cost, sales volume, complexity of regulations, waste management, and training available. Data surveys and semistructured interviews were collected from 28 private sector retailers (i.e., shopkeepers, pharmacists, clinic managers), two first line buyers, and three distributors. Analysis of the data resulted in the construction of value functions for all agents, the relative weights (therefore the tradeoffs) among decision criteria, and the calculation of an overall value for the decision about whether or not to stock RDTs for the different supply chain agents. Results indicate that the best option for one level of the supply chain is not necessarily the best for another. A discussion offers insights on how to align value across the supply chain, which is important for facilitating public health interventions. Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 162-168).

Evaluating readiness for technology in schools : developing planning tools and critical metrics to prepare for 1: 1 programs

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Evaluating readiness for technology in schools : developing planning tools and critical metrics to prepare for 1: 1 programs Allen, Stacey A Technology use in education is rapidly expanding with varying results. The success of education technologies in schools depends on both the quality of the material presented through technology in terms of content and pedagogy and also the quality of the implementation of the program. With the acknowledgement that high quality materials are essential to the success of any technology, this thesis is concerned with the implementation of technology programs in schools, as it is impossible to utilize the technology for learning gains when students or teachers cannot access the materials. Prior research in education technology has not addressed readiness or planning practices for such large-scale programs as they exist today, specifically for 1:1 initiatives ("1:1" describes a system in which all students have personal learning devices, such as tablets or laptops). The main objective of this thesis is to determine the best practices in preparedness and planning for large-scale technology initiatives in US high schools. The research is designed to aid school system administrators and policy makers in their technology decision-making processes through the creation of a rubric of metrics and a model for sustainable implementation. The rubric and model were informed by data gathered through a case study approach, focusing on schools that are currently implementing 1:1 initiatives. The rubric outlines a spectrum of potential readiness levels across a number of critical metrics and allows school leaders to self-assess their readiness for a 1:1 program. In addition to the rubric and sustainable implementation model, this thesis aims to determine best practices in planning for a 1:1 program. Through a second round of case studies and interviews with school leaders, past planning practices and gaps in knowledge and planning were examined. From the school leaders' reflections on best practices, conclusions for improvement of current planning tools were drawn. These improvements include the creation of mentor relationships for schools and the use of a thorough, yet simple, needs assessment that includes detailed timeline for implementation. Both the readiness rubric and the study of planning practices led to a number of policy recommendations not only for schools, but for all levels of government in support of effective technology use in education. 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 99-105).

Adapting Consumer Report's product evaluation methods for particle removal, gravity non-electric and reverse osmosis water filters in the Indian marketplace

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Adapting Consumer Report's product evaluation methods for particle removal, gravity non-electric and reverse osmosis water filters in the Indian marketplace Liu, Shuyue, S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Household Water Treatment and Storage (HWTS) products provides households that are drinking unimproved water supplies with a first line of defense against contaminants in their drinking water and those drinking improved water supplies with an additional barrier against potential risks. With the global water crisis becoming more and more severe, evaluation of HWTS technologies and products has become crucial to ensure they are used to remove impurities effectively. The goal of this thesis was to evaluate household water filters in the Indian marketplace as part of a larger research and technology evaluation to investigate the utilization and performances of different water filter models in both lab and field settings. This was achieved by comparative testing and research work done at Consumer Reports (CR) Headquarters in Yonkers, NY. This evaluation included the testing of three categories of filters: Conventional Particle Removal (cloth and mesh), Gravity Non-Electric (GNE) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filters. In total, 16 models were tested. The challenge water for all filter testing had these characteristics: 40+/-10 NTU turbidity and 1500+/-150mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS). When testing E.coli removal, deionized water was used as the base water and the concentration of E. coli was 10⁵ to 10⁶ MPN (Most Probable Number)/100mL. The comparative testing attributes that were evaluated include: E.coli removal, turbidity removal, TDS removal, clean water flow rate, RO % recovery, and filter lifetime with the end-of-life defined as when flow rate <1 L/hr. As a result of this product evaluation, the author determined that: 1) Cloth and mesh filters had limited effectiveness in reducing contaminants; 2) GNE filters had much better performance than cloth and mesh filters, but none of them had outstanding performance; 3) RO filters were shown to be quite effective in reducing turbidity (greater than 99.5%), TDS (greater than 97%), and E.coli (greater than 99.9999%). But, they produce a large amount of wastewater (around 3/4 of the feed water) which is a huge waste of precious water and a sustainability concern especially in a water scarce region. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2015.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 113-115).

CITE Suitability : an exploration of product evaluation methodologies for developing world technologies

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

CITE Suitability : an exploration of product evaluation methodologies for developing world technologies Pombrol, Christopher Anthony There are a multitude of technological products that have been developed to improve the lives of bottom of pyramid consumers in the developing world. Unfortunately, many of these products fail to have the desired impact and there is a serious gap in knowledge of what works and what does not work. It is the goal of the Comprehensive Initiative for Technology Evaluation to fill this gap by creating a methodology for evaluating such products. This thesis documents the first efforts of the Suitability team, as part of the Comprehensive Initiative for Technology Evaluation, to develop these product evaluation methodologies. The Suitability team is focused on evaluating the technical performance of these products in a comparative manner with respect to user expectations and use patterns. Two different product evaluation frameworks were developed, implemented, and compared. The first is an attribute-based product evaluation, in the style of Consumer Reports, in which all products under evaluation are subjected to a standardized set of laboratory tests designed to differentiate among products in key performance areas. The second is a problem-based evaluation in which user feedback is gathered in order to guide product testing. Product evaluations were produced using both methods. Both user groups ranked the importance of solar lantern characteristics similarly, with a Kendall's -r coefficient of 0.4545. Each method also had unique advantages, revealing different kinds of information on solar lantern performance. This suggests that it may be useful to employ both methods simultaneously, with-the problem-based evaluation informing the attribute-based evaluation. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-136).

Development of methodologies for the testing and evaluation of solar lanterns

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Development of methodologies for the testing and evaluation of solar lanterns Gandhi, Amit A. (Amit Arun) Solar lighting technologies have reached a point where they are affordable in many developing countries. While many of these products have had a positive impact on communities, the market also has poorly designed and manufactured products that develop a poor reputation among users and hurt adoption rates of solar technologies. current efforts to evaluate solar lanterns have resulted in the development of standards and testing protocols for solar lanterns manufacturers. In this thesis, we explored the development of new user-focused testing methodologies that include both field testing and technical testing. In particular, for the field testing, we applied projective methods to understand biases in reported usage, addressed individual decision making process, and applied maximum difference methodology to understand user-valuation. For the technical testing, we developed a new system for characterizing the light output of solar lanterns and developed embedded instrumentation for solar lanterns to understand how they were used in the field. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2014.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (page 59).