The School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences (MEWES)

Message from Dean

I am pleased to welcome you to the School of Materials Energy Water and Environmental Sciences (MEWES) webpage. Welcome to the School of Materials Energy Water and Environmental Sciences (MEWES). The School boasts of high quality and innovative programmes being administered at Tengeru Campus.

MATERIALS (with its roots in Emerging materials, Nanomaterials, composite materials, Energy storage, Carbon materials, materials for water purifications, materials for agriculture), CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES (with its roots in Solar energy applications, Biogas, Biofuels) and WATER RESEARCH (with its roots in Hydrology, Water purification, Wastewater).

The faculty and staff in MEWES are committed to preparing students to work with emerging technologies and become future leaders in their areas of expertise. This is well supported by our reviewed and new courses and programmes that we keep updating in order to ensure they meet the current demand while responding to our learning objectives.

A hallmark of MEWES is the high-quality research and Innovations of our faculty, which have been possible as a result of being collaborative and interdisciplinary researchers with a track record of winning huge research grants from national and internationals funding agencies.

I am very excited about the future of MEWES and I look forward to working with our students, faculty, alumni and partners from society, academia, industry and the government that will eventually lead MEWES to new heights.

Sincerely,

Dr. Revocatus Lazaro Machunda, Dean of the School of MEWES

School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences (MEWES) currently has the following degree programmes, namely:

Master's degree programmes

Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering (MaSE)
Master’s in Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (SESE)
Master’s in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering (HWRE)
Master’s in Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)

PhD degree programmes

Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering (MaSE)
PhD in Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (SESE)
PhD in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering (HWRE)
PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)

The school has the following research groups:

1. Materials Research Group

Purpose of the group

The purpose of the materials research group is to establish research programs in the field of materials science to address real human challenges, according to the NM-AIST motto, “Academia for Society and Industry”

Research themes

Fabrication of materials with advanced properties, eg. Nanomaterials /Nanotechnology
Utilization of innovative approaches to develop materials which are cost-effective, more efficient, and environmentally friendly
Development of materials suitable for real life applications, eg. for water purification

Projects

Transfer of Nanofilter from Tanzania to Zambia – sponsored by the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAIS)

Members

Dr. Askwar Hilonga	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Eric Mutegoa	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wilson Mahene	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Clarence Rubaka	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Geradius Deogratias	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cecilia China	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Richard Edwin Ndibalema	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Johnbosco Kessy	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ruth Moirana	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Safiel Chambua	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Outreach activities, spin offs and partners

Nanofilter - A typical case for the outreach activities

This project is taking unconventional approach. It is very unique because, unlike many other purely academic programs, it is focused on hands-on /practical training on how to develop and implement Nanotechnology based inventions. The project will replicate the success stories of Nanotechnology-based low-cost sustainable water purification system (Trademarked as Nanofilter: ) invented at NM-AIST / the lead applicant of this project. Nanofilter has won 17 awards, including the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation – funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering-UK and the World Health Organization (WHO) award this two links : 1 and 2. Nanofilter increases access to clean and safe water to reduce water bone diseases; and its inventor is determined to impact millions of lives, as demonstrated in this video. The filters are directly sold to households and to institutions but also hosted in kiosks that become water stations that create jobs for local entrepreneurs. Nanofilter has created jobs to hundreds of people and is now impacting hundreds of thousands of people is Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia.
Nanofilter is unique because it can “target” and “selectively” remove any contaminant found in water (bacteria, chemical-contaminants, turbidity, organic-matter) and produces 20 liters/hour of clean and safe water. It also removes chemicals like Fluoride which cause teeth and bone fluorosis. Nanofilter’s cost is lower – it does not use electricity (it simply depends on gravity). Rapid adoption of Nanofilter and similar Nanotechnology-based inventions will positively impact millions of lives around the world and make Africa’s contribution valuable. Internship placement at the associate partner / Gongali Model Co.Ltd (www.gongalimodel.com) (manufacturer of Nanofilter) directly inspire and empower students and staff to imitate the Nanofilter initiative as they develop their own Nanotechnology-based innovations / inventions. More about the Nanofilter innovation is found online (a simple search on Google will give hundreds of links), eg. WIPO Magazine

2. Clean Energy Technologies Research Group

Purpose of the group

Development of alternative and sustainable energy sources for domestic and industrial use

Research themes

Biogas production, clean up technologies and optimization of feedstock and bio-rectors
Solar energy application – solar dryers and cookers, micro-grid, smart micro-grids, standalone solar systems, fuel cells, solar mapping etc.
Biofuels – biodiesel, bio-ethanol and briquettes production and characterization, catalysts synthesis and characterization, engine tests, gasification, pyrolysis etc.
Energy auditing and management
Wind energy – optimization of turbine’s aerodynamic systems of small wind turbines
Hydropower – design and performance optimization of small scale hydropower plants for rural application and hydrokinetics.
Nuclear technology applications in industries (e.g. NDT), healthy and agriculture (e.g. radiations).

Projects

Solar-assisted heat pump drying technology for industrial and agricultural applications in Tanzania. Funded by Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).
Evaluation of suitability of water hyacinth from Lake Victoria-Tanzania as a feedstock for Biofuel Production. Funded by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).
Establishing a Graduate School of Nuclear Science and Technology at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Project: URT007. Partially funded by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Development of a HArmonized MOdular Curriculum for the Smart Grid (DAMOC). Funded by Erasmus+ of the European Union.
Establishment of a regional enterprise to commercialize the integrated technologies for agro/biowaste conversion in eastern Africa. BIOINNOVATE PROJECT. Supported by SiDA through Bioinnovate Africa program.

Members

Dr. Thomas T. Kivevele	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Prof. Karoli N. Njau	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Prof. Alexander Pogrebnoi	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Prof. Tatiana Pogrebnaya	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr. Yusufu Abeid Chande Jande	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ms. Sophia Bakili
Ms. Elizabeth Makauki	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr. Isack Kandola

Resources

OPAL Real Time Simulator, purchased under DAMOC project
OXITEST Oxidation Test Reactor, purchased under TWAS project
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) COXEM CX-200TA
CHNS-O Analyzer
Bomb Calorimeter
Pelton Turbine Training Equipment Cussons Technology P6290SP
PV Trainer Kit
Wind Turbine Kit (Wind Energy trainer IKS Photovoltaic GmbH)
Gas Sampler and Analyzer

The school of MEWES has the following ongoing projects:

1. Water Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Futures (WISE FUTURES)

Objective

WISE – Futures is one of the East and Southern Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence phase two (ACE II) supported by the World Bank. WISE - Futures was declared effective by the World Bank in January 26, 2017. The center focuses on three priority areas: 1.Water and Sanitation Security. 2.Water Resources Security. 3.Energy Security. Primarily the center functions by steering activities aimed at achieving excellence by uplifting the capacity (in terms of human resources and manufacturing industry) of Tanzania and African nations to solve pressing problems related to water, sanitation, and energy. The center works in close collaboration with local, regional, and international collaborators from both the private and public sectors.

Members

Dr. Hans Komakech (centre leader), Dr. Yusuph Jande (deputy centre leader)

Project Partners

WaterAid, eWater UK, Babati District Council & Arusha District Council, Mobisol Tanzania, A to Z Textile Mills Ltd., Korea Maritime and Ocean University

Website: http://www.wisefutures.ac.tz/

2. Evaluation of suitability of water hyacinth from Lake Victoria-Tanzania as a feedstock for Biofuel Production

Members

Dr. Thomas Kivevele (PI)

3. BIOINNOVATE PROJECT: Establishment of a regional enterprise to commercialize the integrated technologies for agro/biowaste conversion in eastern Africa,

Members

Prof. Karol Njau (PI), Seypum Leta (AAU) (Co-PI), Joseph Kyambadde (MAK Uganda)

4. Solar-assisted Heat Pump Drying Technology for Industrial and Agricultural Applications in Tanzania

Members

Dr. Thomas Kivelele (PI), Dr. Kelvin Mtei

5. Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) in the Partnership for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET)

Members

Dr. Mwemezi Rwiza

6. Inclined Plate Settlers (IPS) for pre-treatment of community potable water supply in Nadosoito

Members

Prof. Karol Njau, Dr. Revocatus Machunda

7. Leveraging transfer of Low-cost water filters (Nanofilter) technology from Tanzania to Zambia

Members

Dr. Askwar Hilonga

8. Linking East and West African Farming Systems Experience into a BELT of Sustainable Intensification – EWA-BELT

Members

Dr. Kelvin Mtei, Dr. Revocatus Machunda, Dr. Thomas Kivevele, Dr. Josephine Mkunda, Ms. Ruth Moirana

9. Dynamics of Environmental Geochemistry and Health in a Lake-wide Basin.

Members

Dr. Kelvin Mtei

10. The Social Science of Climate Change Adaptation: Advancing academic writing for early career academics in Tanzania.

Members

Dr. Kelvin Mtei

SN	NAME	POSITION
1	Prof. Revocatus Machunda	Dean of School
2	Prof. Karoli Nicholas Njau	Professor
3	Prof. Alexander Pogrebnoi	Professor
4	Prof. Tatiana Pogrebnaya	Associate Professor
5	Prof. Askwar Hilonga	Associate Professor
6	Dr. Kelvin Mark Mtei	Senior Lecturer
	Dr. Hans Komakech	Senior Lecturer
8	Dr. Yusufu Abeid Chande Jande	Senior Lecturer
9	Dr. Mwemezi Rwiza	Senior Lecturer
9	Dr. Thomas Kivevele	Senior Lecturer
10	Dr. Juma Rajabu Selemani	Lecturer
11	Ms. Anita Mukarugaika Rugaika	Assistant Lecturer
12	Ms. Grite Nelson	Assistant Lecturer
13	Ms. Ruth Lorivi Moirana	Assistant Lecturer
14	Ms. Elizabeth Makauki	Assistant Lecturer
15	Mr. Masumbuko Semba	Assistant Lecturer
16	Ms. Fina J. Lesafi	Assistant Lecturer

Adjunct Professors/Faculty
SN	NAME	AFFILIATION
1	Chary Rangacharyulu, PhD, Professor	University of Saskatchewan
2	Prof. Lawrence Martz	University of Saskatchewan, Canada
3	Prof. Malik Maaza	iThemba LABS-NRF, South Africa
4	Prof. B.L. Ramakrishna	Arizona State University, USA
5	Prof. Kwadwo Osseo-Asare	Penn State University, USA
6	Prof. Emanuela Colombo	UNESCO CHAIR in Energy, Department of Energy - Politecnico di Milano
7	Marcel J. Castro Sitiriche	Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico

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