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EWB Luxembourg Quarterly Meeting – October 2025

This week, we held its Quarterly Meeting at the University of Luxembourg – Kirchberg Campus. The session offered a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and reflect on ongoing projects.

One of the highlights was the presentations for our Cameroon Circular Economy Project ♻️, covering topics from low-tech biochar production to plastic brick machine optimization. The discussions sparked many new ideas and plans for the coming months.

💚 It was wonderful to welcome both new and familiar faces. We thank all participants for their contributions, insights, and energy — your engagement continues to drive our projects forward.

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Guest Lecture: Circular Economy & Waste Management 🌍

This week, Engineers Without Borders Luxembourg had the honor of welcoming Dr. Oec. Patrick L. Dorvil, Senior Sector Economist at the European Investment Bank, for a lecture on circular economy and waste management.

The event brought together master’s students from the University of Luxembourg (originally from Cameroon), along with members of EWB Luxembourg, both in person and online. Under the supervision of Dr. Dorvil, the students have now begun their work, contributing to our Cameroon Circular Economy Project – Plastic Waste Management as part of their academic program.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Dorvil for sharing his expertise and for guiding the next generation of engineers, as well as to the University of Luxembourg for supporting this collaboration. This initiative strengthens the bridge between academia and practical field projects, helping to advance sustainable waste management solutions in Cameroon.

👉 Learn more about the project here: Cameroon Circular Economy Project

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Circular Economy – Guest Lecture by Dr. Patrick L. Dorvil (EIB)

Engineers Without Borders Luxembourg is honored to host Dr. Patrick L. Dorvil, Senior Sector Economist at the Projects Directorate of the European Investment Bank, for a 45-minute lecture on circular economy and waste management.

This presentation marks the start of a collaboration with master’s students, who will contribute to our Cameroon Circular Economy Project – Plastic Waste Management as part of their academic program.

We warmly invite engineers, students, researchers, and professionals interested in sustainability to join us for this inspiring event.

📅 Sept 30, 6pm | 📍 Campus Kirchberg D17
🔗 Learn more about the project: Cameroon Circular Economy Project – Plastic Waste Management. Learn more about the event on our LinkedIn page.

#CircularEconomy #WasteManagement #Sustainability #Engineering #EIB #EngineersWithoutBorders #ClimateAction

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🌞👨‍🔬 DIY Solar Cooker – Back in the Sun – Field Testing, Teamwork & Good Food

Last Sunday, we came together once again to see our solar cooker in action, reflect on what we’ve learned so far, and brainstorm the next steps in our ongoing research project. It was a great mix of hands-on testing, technical discussions – and shared moments.

Despite the sometimes unpredictable August weather in Luxembourg (we got lucky with the sun ☀️😅), we managed to cook a meal, enjoy the results, and exchange ideas on how to optimize performance, tracking mechanisms, and heat transfer.

🍽️ Key takeaway?

Engineering and sustainability go hand-in-hand – but it’s the human element that makes these projects truly meaningful. Sitting together, sharing a solar-cooked dish, and dreaming up improvements is what drives us forward.

🔬 What’s next?

> Testing alternative absorber Materials
> Improving reflector precision
> Collecting more performance data under varying conditions

Huge thanks to everyone who joined and contributed their insights & energy – especially Michel Guenther for pushing things forward!

#SolarCooking #SustainableEngineering #DIYScience #HandsOnLearning #ScienceCommunity #EngineeringForGood #CircularDesign #EWB #EngineersWithoutBordersLuxembourg

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🌞🔧 DIY Solar Cooker – Cooking with the Power of the Sun

We decided to build a solar cooker as a fun and educational science project. A solar cooker uses nothing but sunlight to prepare food – no fossil fuels, no wood. 🌱♻️ A small step for us, a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future.

🎯 Goal:
To create a simple, low-cost solar cooker using common materials, test the concept, and gain hands-on experience with solar cooking.

🛠️ Our Approach:
📡 Reused a broken satellite dish as the reflector
🪞 Cut small mirror squares and glued them onto the dish
🛞 Used an old truck brake disc + welded steel frame for a stable base
⚙️ Implemented a zenith angle control mechanism for solar tracking

📊 Key Data:
🔲 Reflective surface: 0.79 m²
🔍 Concentration factor: ~130
🌡️ Test in March (Luxembourg): 170 °C reached
☀️ Test in July: 42 % efficiency achieved

💬 Conclusion:
A rewarding hands-on project that combines engineering, sustainability, and reuse. A great example of how simple ideas can drive real impact.

Big thanks to our member Michel Guenther !!!

#SolarCooking #Sustainability #DIYEngineering #RenewableEnergy #ScienceProject #EngineeringForGood #CircularDesign #EngineersWithoutBordersLuxembourg #EWB #EWB_Luxembourg

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🤝 Enhancing Collaboration with the University 🎓

Yesterday, EWB Luxembourg President Kristina Teppo met with representatives of the University of Luxembourg’s Engineering Department – Prof. Francesco Viti (Head), Prof. Ralph Useldinger (CERATIZIT Chair, Ingénieurs et Scientifiques du Luxembourg a.s.b.l. board member), and Berta Rato (Strategic Advisor to the FSTM Dean).

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration with the university and creating more opportunities for student involvement in EWB’s sustainable development projects.

#EWBLuxembourg #UniversityOfLuxembourg #EngineeringForDevelopment #Sustainability

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🌱 Exploring Nature-Based Solutions for Grey Water Treatment 💧

This week, our dedicated volunteers Kristina and Lucas had the opportunity to visit a grey water treatment plant developed by the University of Luxembourg researchers and installed at Lycée Edward Steichen (Clervaux, Luxembourg).

This innovative pilot project is based on nature-based solutions, using a combination of biochar-enhanced sand and plants to naturally purify grey water. The system has demonstrated promising results in delivering a sustainable and efficient water treatment method.

We are enthusiastic about the potential to apply this approach in our international projects, in collaboration with the Water Group at the University of Luxembourg, especially in water-scarce and vulnerable regions.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Silvia Venditti for organizing the visit and generously sharing her insights and and to Dr. Irene for contributing valuable insights from her research on water treatment.

🎧 Learn more about nature-based solutions in Dr. Silvia Venditti’s podcast episode with Research Luxembourg

#EWB #WaterForAll #NatureBasedSolutions #Sustainability #GreyWater #Luxembourg #WastewaterTreatment #EngineeringForGood #SDGs #CircularWater #EcoInnovation #ResearchLuxembourg

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QUARTERLY MEETING EWB LUX

On June 4th, 2025, we gathered for our quarterly meeting at the university — a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and reflect on recent progress.

One of the highlights was the presentation of our recently completed project in Kenya – we’re proud to have successfully delivered a water access solution for St. Joseph’s Girls Secondary School, a boarding school in rural Kenya. 🌍💧

We also shared updates on ongoing initiatives and projects, including:
– Renewable Energy in Zambia ⚡
– Circular Economy efforts in Cameroon ♻️
– And a short report on our internal plastic recycling workshop.

It was fantastic to see both new and familiar faces — thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to the inspiring conversations.

#EWB #Sustainability #WaterAccess #RenewableEnergy #CircularEconomy #PlasticRecycling #Impact