Recently, there has been renewed interest in the performance, functionality, and sustainability of traditional small-scale storage interventions (check dams, farm bunds and tanks) used across India for the improvement of local water security. The Central Groundwater Board of India is en-couraging the construction of such interventions for the alleviation of water scarcity. It is of critical importance to understand the hydrological effect of these interventions at basin scales to maximise their effectiveness. The quantification of small-scale interventions in hydrological modelling is often neglected, especially in large-scale modelling exercises. A bespoke version of the GWAVA model was developed to assess the impact of interventions on the water balance of the Cauvery Basin and two smaller sub-catchments. Model results demonstrate that farm bunds appear to have a negligible effect on the estimated average annual simulated streamflow at the outlets of the two sub-catchments and the basin whereas tanks and check dams have a more significant effect. In-terventions generally were found to increase evaporation losses across the catchment. The model adaption used in this study provides a step-change in the conceptualisation and quantification of the consequences of small-scale storage interventions in large- or basin-scale hydrological models.

Inexpensive piezoelectric diaphragms can be used as sensors to facilitate both nozzle height setting and bed levelling in FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) 3D printers. A variety of probes have been developed by the authors and others to utilize piezoelectric diaphragms both under the build stage and in the printer head. The reliability, repeatability and sensitivity of these probes has been investigated along with such practical considerations as usability in different environments, the functional life of piezoelectric diaphragms in this use and what improvement to print quality may be obtained. A probe using a piezoelectric diaphragm has been developed and released as an open source product, this probe as well as kits for making probes are available and are proving reliable. The conclusion is that piezoelectric diaphragms are equal to or better than other technologies used for nozzle probing.