APHRL-Air Pollution and Health Research Laboratory

The 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 (𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗥𝗟) congratulates all the students, supervisors, and advisors from the Kathmandu University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, on their outstanding achievement at the 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗘𝗪𝗕) 𝗨𝗞 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲.

We are delighted to see 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 secure 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲; the team is also currently undertaking its annual project on the fabrication of an air quality monitoring device under APHRL, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of student innovation and engagement.

This success is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and engineering excellence of our students in representing Kathmandu University and Nepal on an international platform.

🏆 A Moment of Pride for the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University 🇳🇵

Our second year students have achieved remarkable success at the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) UK Design Challenge, competing against 300+ participants from leading global institutions. Three teams represented the department with innovative sustainable solutions for the Ladywood/Port Loop area, UK:

Micro Briquetting – A facility focused on community-level energy solutions
Team: Sushant Neupane, Binit Prajapati, Nhoojah Shakya, Sugat Shakya, Sujal Lal Shrestha

Crushing the Cold – A heat pump powered by Port Loop's canal
Team: Prabhat Pandey, Soni KC, Arya Shrestha, Sudhanshu Raj Bhattarai

Food to Fuel – A Biogas Digester System
Team: Prithivi Raj Poudel, Aavash Aryal, Aayush Shrestha Malla, Tupendra Thapa Magar, Umesh Sitoula

Supervisors: Dr. Bijendra Shrestha, Dr. Sailesh Chitrakar, Er. Malesh Shah
Advisors: Dr. Pratisthit Lal Shrestha, Er. Sirapa Shrestha

The teams reached finals, Team 1 won the first prize, Team 2 won 2nd prize and public choice award, and they collectively received a prize of USD 1800.

We take immense pride in our students for representing the department and Nepal on a global platform with excellence. This is a testament and a global validation that Nepalese engineering education and our talent are at par with the best in the world.

We thank Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Nepal for enabling this global opportunity and continuous support.

The Air Pollution and Health Research Laboratory (APHRL), Kathmandu University, and Green Decisions Labs and Research Nepal (GD Labs) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 09, 2026 at APHRL Office, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel.

The partnership aims to strengthen collaborative research, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and innovation in air quality, clean energy, urban sustainability, and environmental health for sustainable development in Nepal.

The 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝗥𝗧𝗞𝗖), under the Air Pollution and Health Research Laboratory, is collaborating with Smart Tech Agro & Bioenergy Pvt. Ltd. on research and business development activities focused on the design, testing, and application of biomass pellet–based combustion systems. The initiative targets clean and efficient thermal energy solutions for restaurants and banquet facilities, with the broader aim of improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and promoting the substitution of fossil fuels with sustainable biomass alternatives.

Within the same laboratory, Mr. Ashutosh Aman is pursuing an MS by Research under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bijendra Shrestha, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Binaya Kc and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jetsada Posom (Khon Kaen Univeristy, Thailand). The research, titled Characterization of Industrial Biomass Pellets for Energy Applications Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, focuses on the rapid and reliable characterization of biomass pellet quality to support cleaner combustion, fuel standardization, and improved performance of biomass-based thermal energy systems in real-world energy applications.

APHRL was pleased to host Alparslan Topcu and Gokhan Canbolat from Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University under the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Program during their visit to Kathmandu University.

The visiting scholars explored APHRL and other key research and innovation facilities across Kathmandu University, engaging in meaningful discussions on renewable energy, alternative energy technologies, research collaboration, and future academic partnerships. Their visit provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and strengthening international academic cooperation.

With fluctuating weather patterns across the country, Dhulikhel also experienced noticeable shifts in air quality over the past 30 days.

The highest PM2.5 level recorded was 124.6 µg/m³ on 23 April, highlighting a short period of significantly poor air conditions.

Precaution: On high pollution days, reduce prolonged outdoor exposure and use protective masks when necessary.

Here’s a look at Dhulikhel’s 24-hour average PM2.5 levels from April 5–12, 2026, showing notable fluctuations over the week. 📊

Periods of rain and thunderstorms (April 6–7, 9) helped lower pollution to moderate levels (28–33 µg/m³), but drier conditions led to sharp spikes, reaching unhealthy levels on April 8 (65 µg/m³) and April 12 (74 µg/m³). 🌧️⚡➡️☀️⚠️

This pattern highlights the strong influence of weather on air quality, while also emphasizing the persistent risk of pollution buildup during stable atmospheric conditions.

.5

After a brief pause in updates, here’s a snapshot of Dhulikhel’s (near Sanjiwani School) PM2.5 levels from April 1–4, 2026.

While April 1–3 (working days) remained in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (46–52 µg/m³), levels rose further on Saturday (April 4, a non-working day) to 63 µg/m³ - entering the Unhealthy category. ⚠️😷

This indicates that elevated pollution persists beyond weekday activities, highlighting a concerning trend that calls for continued caution.

⚠️⚠️⚠️
PM2.5 in Dhulikhel is currently 53 µg/m³ (07:20 PM, March 31, 2026), while both the 24-hour average (79.9 µg/m³) and 7-day average (58.1 µg/m³) have reached unhealthy levels - indicating sustained poor air quality.

Despite ongoing rain, pollution levels remain elevated, suggesting limited short-term improvement and persistent atmospheric conditions.

Residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure and stay cautious as the trend continues to remain concerning. 😷

.5

⚠️⚠️⚠️ PM2.5 levels in Dhulikhel have reached 64 µg/m³, falling in the Unhealthy category and posing increased health risks for all residents.

Limit outdoor activities, wear a well-fitted mask (N95/KN95) 😷, and keep indoor air clean by closing windows or using air purifiers.

Follow regular updates to protect yourself and your family.