ASPI Technical Papers by Category

From 1990-2004, ASPI published a series of "Technical Papers" written by several DIY authors under the project direction of Founder Father Albert Fritsch. Each Technical Paper (TP) contains concise and informative research on many appropriate technology subjects. Ranging from DIY how-to directions to scientific reference materials, these timeless fact sheets provide valuable resources for low-cost simple living.

All ASPI Technical Papers are available to download as free PDFs below! They are also accessible as a chronological list.

DIY Projects:

TP 1: Solar Cooker

TP 2: Compost Toilet

TP 3: Cisterns

​TP 4: Solar Greenhouses

TP 5: Cordwood Buildings​

TP 6: Solar Food Dryer​

TP 7: Year-round Gardening​

TP: 8 The Yurt: Low-Cost Home​

TP 9: Breadbox Solar Water Heaters​

TP 10: Nature Trails​

TP 11: ​Composting for Gardens

TP 12: Contraflow Masonry Heaters/ Oven​

TP 13: Organic and Intensive Gardening​

TP 14: Rural Solar Photovoltaic Use​

TP 18: Reuse for Household Waste 

TP 19: Water Purification​

TP 20: Aquaculture​

TP 21: Quilted Insulated Shades​

TP 22: Organic mulching​

TP 24: Root Cellars​

TP 25: Drip Irrigation Systems​

TP 29: Seed Saving​

TP 30: Constructed Wetlands​

TP 37: Pressed Earth Blocks​

TP 39: Elbow Torch Wood Cooker​

TP 41: Using the Compost from the Compost Toilet

TP 46: Backyard Gardens​

TP 48: Naturalizing your Backyard ​

TP 53: Landscaping with Edibles​

TP 62: Herb Growing in Appalachia

TP 67: Lilongwe Solar Box Cooker 

TP 68: Hermitages in Appalachia

TP 69: Masonry Rockwork in Appalachia

TP 70: Straw Bale Housing

ASPI TP 1 "Solar Box Cooker" (1990, p. 1)

ASPI Demonstration Projects:

TP 15: Appropriate Technology Information Systems​

TP 40: Solar House​

​TP 43: Small Town Appropriate Technology Demonstration Project​

TP 60: Nature Center Programs

TP 63: Solar Car

Considerations for Environmental Issues:

TP 42: Using Non-Timber Products

TP 44: America Chestnut Restoration

TP 45: Mobile and Manufactured Homes in Kentucky​

TP 49: Solar Photovoltaics​

TP 51: Energy Policy Statement​

TP 52: Appalachian Chip Mills​

TP 54: Promoting Appropriate Technology​

TP 55: Kudzu in Appalachia​

TP 57: ​Moratorium on Wild Ginseng

TP 58: Kentucky Water Issues

TP 61: Ecotourism in Appalachia

TP 64: ORV Control Options

TP 65: Economic Analysis & Safety of ORV Riding

TP 66: Using GPS/GIS to Site Ginseng

TP 71: High Performance Buildings