Summary
In this update, i shared progress on two parallel projects: For the iKMC system, we refined a modular clip design based on presentation feedback, focusing on comfort, flexibility, and clinical suitability. Meanwhile, in the Cheetos project, we conducted extrusion tests at varying moisture levels, identified low torque as a limiting factor, and developed a temperature monitoring system using Arduino. Both projects emphasize iterative design, user-centered thinking, and hands-on problem-solving.
Over the past two weeks, our team has been actively engaged in two parallel projects: refining the Cheetos puffing machine and advancing the iKMC Cable Management system for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). Both projects, though very different in application, reflect the same spirit of hands-on engineering, thoughtful design, and meaningful impact.
Designing for Connection in Kangaroo Mother Care
Preterm infants are often connected to multiple life-sustaining devices CPAP, IV lines, and nasogastric tubes. These cables can make Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a proven skin-to-skin contact method, difficult to sustain. To address this, our team is developing the iKMC Cable Management system, a set of simple, low-cost, and user-friendly tools that help organize medical lines to enable safe and uninterrupted KMC.
We recently presented our progress to our supervisor, Dr. Holmes, alongside client Elisha Sanoussi and a guest.
During our presentation to Dr. Holmes, we shared a design in which a primary clip is mounted on the IV stand to hold up to six cables or tubes, while individual secondary clips are attached to the mother’s garment each securing a single cable or tube.
Based on their feedback, we are now pursuing a clip-to-clip mechanism, where a primary clip attaches to the mother’s garment and connects to secondary interchangeable clips, each holding a specific type of cable or tube. This modular approach increases adaptability and personalization for clinical needs.
We have designed multiple clip concepts and are iterating in SolidWorks to determine the most ergonomic, secure, and easy-to-use version. In parallel, we’re exploring molding techniques for scalable production and investigating sterilization methods appropriate for clinical environments.
This project has been a powerful reminder that biomedical engineering is not just about building devices it’s about designing with empathy to improve real-life experiences for both caregivers and their newborns.
Optimizing the Puff Cheetos Project Progress
Simultaneously, we’ve continued refining the Cheetos puffing machine, focusing on mechanical improvements to ensure better extrusion performance. A major goal has been to reduce motor speed to increase torque, which is critical for effective puffing.
We also made adjustments to wheel alignment and motion stability. On the electronics side, we developed an Arduino-based system that captures temperature data from three key points along the machine. This system exports the data into Excel files, allowing us to analyze and plot temperature curves during operation.
In our testing phase, we experimented with grit moisture levels at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, and 45%, carefully observing puff quality and extrusion performance. One key finding is that lower moisture levels require higher torque, which currently limits the effectiveness of our extruder.
Next steps include making further mechanical adjustments to increase torque and continuing our thermal analysis to better correlate temperature with puffing quality. This process is teaching us how precise control over variables like moisture, heat, and pressure directly impacts food texture and system performance