Research & Projects

Research excellence in any university is a pillar of academic distinction. In the school of engineering we believe in the research that supports and sentients all of our teaching. We also believe in interdisciplinary work and this in the School ranges from collaborative research at the science-engineering interface, through fundamental studies in enabling technologies, to applied research in partnership with industry.

To manage properly the research activities, a number of Research and Knowledge Transfer Priority Groups exist in the school. These are areas of key focus, which support the delivery of excellence in research and knowledge transfer.

These research priority groups:

  • maximise the visibility and impact of the School’s research activities;
  • secure significant levels of external funding to support their research activities;
  • become an institutional champion for their topic;
  • incorporate interdisciplinary collaborations of international quality;
  • provide a first-class environment for career development and training;
  • attract high quality staff, postgraduates and strategic partnerships.

The following are the six Priority Groups in key thematic areas with the potential to grow and deliver an influential amount of world-class research and knowledge transfer addressing global issues and challenges:

  1. Crashworthiness & Impact Biomechanics Research Group
  2. Water & Sanitation Research Group
  3. Materials & Structures Research Group
  4. Electronic and Communication Technology Research Group
  5. Geotenics Research Group
  6. Transport Research Group
  7. Energy Technology Research Group
  • Experimental study of the effect of n-butanol-methanol-gasoline blends on the quality of lubs and wear and tear in spark ignition engines (Dr L Siwale).
  • The effects of casting pressure on slump, shear and compressive strengths, density, and elastic modulus of sawdust on concrete blocks (B Paul) .
  • Reliability assessment in active distribution networks with detailed effects of PV systems (Esau Zulu).
  • Investigating the use of interactive voice response (IVR) in medical adherence monitoring (Zilole Simate).
  • Fibre voltage sensor based on intensity modulation (Ndiaye Musa).
  • Fibre optic voltage sensor based on fibre to fibre coupling (Ndiyaye Musa).
  • Biomaterial characterisation of a 10 year old for humanoid development (Professor Clive Chirwa).
  • Zambia accident statistics analysis (Professor Clive chirwa)
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Drome design and manufacture (Professor Clive Chirwa)

The Copperbelt University School of Engineering research and student outputs have over the years helped SMEs develop products that have been best sellers and have influenced the market. The school is now entering a new phase of growth and has decided to form spin-out companies that will drive forward the commercialisation of our research outcomes. The School is building its portfolio of spin-outs and these are our companies:

Traffic Lights Research (TLR) was established in March 2015 to provide a means of further developing products and engaging with the market place through a dedicated vehicle.

This was borne from a student project and supervisors who had the vision to see such a product developed by the School for Zambia. Today we boast of our increased customer base as we install more and more traffic lights around the country using technology developed at The Copperbelt University School of Engineering.

If your town, city is in need of traffic lights, contact us. We will

  • Design;
  • Manufacture;
  • Install;
  • and maintain the traffic lights