1.Computational Material Modelling and Additive Manufacture of Energy Storage and Conversion Devices.

This research was initially funded by Kenya Education Network (2019/2020) and focuses on bridging current energy demand vis-à-vis the prevailing power generation, deployment trends, and potential storage. Computational material modeling and simulation is used in formulating macroscopic models of material property and performance. Holistically, new knowledge in the production of new and emerging energy materials at reduced time and cost has been instituted.

2.Additive manufacture of polymeric materials: 3D filament development and manufacture of medical implants.

This research focuses on recipe development for the generation of 3D filament from recycled plastics. The application of the resultant material in the Additive manufacture of teaching devices, medical implants and sub-structural components. Capacity building and increased specialists in additive manufacturing is envisioned in this work.

Traditional plastic waste handling involves the full life cycle of plastics, starting from crude oil extraction and manufacturing into pellets, followed by consumption and, eventually, disposal or recycling.
Challenges include spillage, environmental pollution, and harm to ecosystems. Addressing these issues requires sustainable practices like reducing consumption, improving recycling, and exploring alternative materials to mitigate environmental impact and promote a circular economy.
Therefore a gap exists to be exploited to mitigate these problems which is the focus of our proposed plastic waste handling methods.

The necessity to develop new and innovative solutions to manage/transform waste into novel materials and alternative energy source is inevitable. This will mop up waste and at the same time improve the livelihoods and economically empower urban communities.

3.Precision livestock farming through integration of Internet of Things and a Machine Learning Algorithm

This research leverages on Machine Learning, to accurately predict diseases before they spread within the flock, as well as accurately determine oestrus and calving windows to ensure maximum breeding rates.
The application of such technology will significantly improve output in the livestock industry for small and medium farmers, leading to greater economic gain for them, and in extension, the whole country

4.Upcycling plastic waste to novel materials for automobile and marine vessel parts, and low-cost building materials.

This research is geared towards transforming and utilizing plastic waste materials in novel development of automobile and marine vessels parts as well building materials for low-cost housing.
Redesign and performance testing is ongoing with anticipated piloting.

5.Parametric design and additive manufacture of plastic waste biofilter for sustainable waste water treatment.

This research focused on the development of a bioreactor system for treatment of urban sewage for enhanced agricultural production. This entailed characterization of the effluent from wastewater treatment plants, development of a bioreactor system utilizing waste plastic materials and use the parametrically optimized biofilters to treat the waste water. Piloting of the system in a kitchen garden scale irrigation project will be done with potential evaluation of its sustainability in upscaling of the processed water for large scale agricultural use

6.Integrated Research and Innovations in Additive Manufacturing for Sustainable Energy and environmental solutions

This is a 3-year ongoing multidisciplinary project funded project by Africa-ai-Japan Projects (Phase II) 2022 - 2024. The goal of this study is to design and develop novel materials, process through additive manufacturing and thermo-mechanically recycle waste plastics for sustainable energy solutions and provide a clean and healthy environment

7. Establishment of Materials and Additive Manufacturing Research Team (MAMReT).

The researcher has established a research team named MAMReT to effect research in the areas of Materials Engineering, Additive Manufacturing, Recycling of plastic waste, and Computational modelling of energy materials. The goal is to establish a laboratory based research system where peer learning will be cultivated from the lowest level (BSc to PhD) spearheaded by the thematic leader (Dr. James Mutua).
The ultimate goal is to set-up a Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CeAM) at JKUAT.