Contact Dr Matt Collins
- Email: M.Collins@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
Background
Dr. Matt Collins is an expert in breakthrough innovation, design engineering, and prototyping. His expertise draws upon over three decades of experience as a practicing industrial designer and innovator in the commercial and industrial sectors; from advanced medical devices to future large aircraft design. He has invented highly successful commercial products and breakthrough innovations for industry. He has over two dozen patents and continues to be driven by a passion for innovation.
Research opportunities
In addition to his leading role in developing Cranfield's re-invented toilet, Matt continues to explore revelations from his long journey of innovation and his doctoral research into the cognitive processes that lead to Breakthrough Innovations, the role of the lone-inventor, and the challenges of managing such people and processes within organisations.
Current activities
Matt is responsible for the design, engineering, and prototyping of Cranfield’s world leading re-invented toilet technologies which are being funded by the Gates Foundation. He has created some of its key technology and his work provides fully operational, field testable platforms for test teams to evaluate against ISO30500 compliant test protocols, support academic research, and help guide the future direction of non-sewered sanitation technology. In addition, he has led the creation of visionary award-winning systems* which educate the public, promote global sanitation issues, and commercial partner engagement.
* Gates Discovery Centre (Seattle), Queens Award 2015, and Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal 2025
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Jiang Y, Tran TH, Collins M & Williams L. (2024). Development of Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence for intelligent sanitation systems: a literature review. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(12)
- Hennigs J, Ravndal KT, Parker A, Collins M, Jiang Y, .... (2020). Faeces - Urine separation via settling and displacement: Prototype tests for a novel non-sewered sanitation system. Science of The Total Environment, 753
- Hennigs J, Ravndal KT, Blose T, Toolaram A, Sindall RC, .... (2019). Field testing of a prototype mechanical dry toilet flush. Science of The Total Environment, 668
- Hennigs J, Parker A, Collins M, Jiang Y, Kolios A, .... (2019). Planning and communicating prototype tests for the Nano Membrane Toilet: A critical review and proposed visual tool. Gates Open Research, 3
- Hennigs J, Parker A, Collins M, Jiang Y, Kolios A, .... (2019). Planning and communicating prototype tests for the Nano Membrane Toilet: A critical review and proposed strategy. Gates Open Research, 3
- Somorin TO, Fidalgo B, Hassan S, Sowale A, Kolios A, .... (2019). Non-isothermal drying kinetics of human feces. Drying Technology, 38(14)
- Sowale A, Kolios AJ, Fidalgo B, Somorin T, Parker A, .... (2018). Thermodynamic analysis of a gamma type Stirling engine in an energy recovery system. Energy Conversion and Management, 165
- Anastasopoulou A, Kolios A, Somorin T, Sowale A, Jiang Y, .... (2018). Conceptual environmental impact assessment of a novel self-sustained sanitation system incorporating a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment approach. Science of The Total Environment, 639
- Kolios A, Jiang Y, Somorin T, Sowale A, Anastasopoulou A, .... (2018). Probabilistic performance assessment of complex energy process systems - The case of a self-sustained sanitation system. Energy Conversion and Management, 163
- Fidalgo B, Chilmeran M, Somorin TO, Sowale A, Kolios A, .... (2018). Non-isothermal thermogravimetric kinetic analysis of the thermochemical conversion of human faeces. Renewable Energy, 132
- Kamranvand F, Davey CJ, Sakah H, Autin O, Mercer EV, .... (2018). Impact of fouling, cleaning and faecal contamination on the separation of water from urine using thermally driven membrane separation. Separation Science and Technology, 53(9)
- Collins M & Williams L. (2014). A Three-Stage Filter for Effective Technology Selection. RESEARCH-TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, 57(3)