3D printer is among advanced projects paid for by donations

Leeds University’s annual fund helped pay for John Mooney to develop a three-dimensional printer which moulds objects out of high density polythene.

Mr Mooney said: “You might have a remote African village whose water pump breaks.

“Rather than wait weeks for the component to arrive, they can go on line, find the part they need, and literally print it out,” he explained.

“If they have the printer, they can use it for so many different things.”

The work was carried out as part of Leeds University’s undergraduate research scholarship scheme. This allows students to take part in cutting-edge research projects during their summer placements.

The scheme set out to develop students’ investigative and analytical skills while being mentored by leading researchers in their fields.

It is paid for by Leeds University’s annual fund – which relies on donations from past graduates.

The fund supports a variety of student projects – and Leeds University students have helped to set up a database of patients’ records at a hospital in Malawi, carried out research into maternity services in Nepal and provided art workshops for young cancer patients at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.