Welcome to my weekly update as a SEED program participant at Rice University! Building on the exciting foundation laid during my first week, which you can read about here, this week marked a major shift from understanding our projects to actively building and testing solutions. With insights from client meetings, brainstorming sessions, and team discussions, we started tackling real challenges head-on. Here’s a breakdown of my work on both projects: EARTI and Drain Saver, plus some fun community moments that made the week even more special.

EARTI: From Brainstorming to Our First Prototype 
After a solid week of understanding the EARTI project, a hydroponic grow system that needs a vertically moving camera, we officially began developing a solution. We initially settled on a ball screw mechanism, which worked well in theory and early testing. However, we quickly ran into a practical challenge: cost. Scaling this system to cover the full 70-inch vertical height was too expensive with a ball screw.

So, we pivoted. Our team began researching belt-driven mechanisms because it was a cost-effective solution. We developed a low-fidelity prototype using a 40 mm V-slot for the belt-driven system as advised by Dr. Kelvin Holmes. The low-fidelity prototype revealed critical challenges within the 3-inch diameter workspace as requested by our client. Using a 40 mm V-slot exposed space constraints, as it was too large. Alignment and mounting issues surfaced, with the V-slot lacking stable attachment points. The physical prototyping highlighted these flaws, leading us to test a linear rail, which proved too small for reliable mounts.

After a lot of trial and error, we struck a balance by switching to a 20 mm V-slot, which gave us the stability we needed without compromising space. We sourced most of our materials from OEDK, including:

• Pulley system
• GT2 belt
• NEMA 17 stepper motor
• Limit switches
• Other 3D printed parts

By Friday, we had moved from a low-fidelity model to a working first prototype. The camera isn’t installed yet, but the system moves vertically and includes limit switches that stop the platform at both ends, preventing damage to the motor or overextension.

This phase taught us the importance of hands-on prototyping. We discovered technical challenges like mounting alignment, motor positioning, and structural balance that we wouldn’t have spotted on paper. It was an eye-opening and rewarding process.

Drain Saver: Diagnosing the Autoclave Piping System
The Drain Saver project focuses on reducing water usage in cooling steam from autoclave machines. On Monday, we met with the client, who brought in a team of plumbers to help us understand the complicated piping system. Since some pipes were still unclear, we called on Dr. Kevin, who joined us for an on-site visit.
Together, we examined a working autoclave system and sketched out the full piping diagram, giving us a clear picture of how steam is released and cooled. Our goal: bring down the exhaust steam temperature to below 130°F, ideally without continuous water use.

We brainstormed and developed multiple ideas, including:

• A low-fidelity prototype with a carbon fiber inlet pipe entering a cold-water tank, which absorbs heat from the steam.

  

• A wider outlet pipe to reduce pressure buildup and manage steam flow safely.
• A thermostatic valve that only releases water when the system exceeds a temperature threshold, solving the issue of unnecessary, constant water flow.
• Exploring cooling jackets or wraps around the condensate pipe to reduce temperature externally.

We’re still testing and refining these ideas, but it’s exciting to see our concepts evolve into actionable designs.

Learning Through Design: CAD Workshop Experience
This week, I also participated in a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) workshop using Fusion, where I was introduced to the fundamentals of digital modeling by Jason, a rising senior at Rice University. I learned how to use CAD software to design mechanical parts and structures, an essential skill for prototyping and engineering development. The session covered everything from sketching basic 2D shapes to extruding 3D components and assembling multiple parts into a single functional design. It was empowering to visualize ideas on-screen and prepare them for fabrication. I got to design the water bottle given to us by Rice 360, and I look forward to applying these skills in future phases of our projects.

Beyond the Projects: Cooking, Culture & Community
This week wasn’t all wires and whiteboards, we had plenty of moments to connect and relax as a group. On Friday, we spent nearly three hours cooking dinner together. It was a wholesome evening with eight of us in total: five international students and three others SEED Interns (Dohoon, Tasia, and Helena). Everyone pitched in for groceries, meal prep, and, of course, eating! It was a fun way to bond, share stories, and laugh over our culinary engineering skills.

Saturday brought more cultural insight. Helena took us to attend a Juneteenth event, where we learned about the history of Black emancipation, the role of Black soldiers in U.S. history, and the significance of freedom celebrations. It was powerful and enlightening. We also visited a local clothing store to check out prices, where I got a belt for $10, which felt expensive compared to what I’d pay back home in Nigeria!

The day wrapped up with a competitive game of table tennis. I played against Dohoon, in which i was beaten three times before I finally got a win in the last round. A great way to end a week full of learning, building, and bonding.

As always, I remain deeply thankful to the generous sponsors of the SEED program. Your support is not only providing us with world-class training, it’s giving me memories, skills, and experiences that will shape my future.

Looking forward to what Week 3 brings!
See you next Sunday