This is the kind of research we need. With immediate, practical applications. I remember doing "practical" work for my masters thesis, but being dissappointed because the "theoretical" research work of my peers sounded fancy. My mentor at IIT was surprised how I could ever consider real work with immediate practical applications inferior to a bunch of equations and theories.

Sigh. Such was life at IIT. Fancy titles were grander than actual running code that solved real world problems.

Here is a research scholar working on adding a parking lot to a house made of recycled material. Yes, it doesn't sound even remotely "researchy". But it dramatically improves the saleability and practicality of this house amongst the public that can afford it. More power to her.