Summary
This week, we prepared and presented our projects at the Summer Showcase, sharing posters and prototypes with the Rice360 community. The Kangaroo team advanced by producing components using silicone molds and polyurethane resin, while the Cheetos team successfully produced edible puffed snacks and continued refining feeding mechanisms and belt tension. We also enjoyed a special lunch with Chevron, one of Rice360’s partners, and strengthened our teamwork and presentation skills through this engaging experience.
As the summer came to a close, our team reached an exciting milestone presenting our projects at the Summer Showcase. It was a week full of final testing, fabrication, poster preparation, and reflecting on the progress we’ve made throughout the internship. Both our teams Kangaroo Care Cable Management and Cheetos Extrusion wrapped up with key achievements and valuable lessons.
Kangaroo Care Cable Management
Sixth week, we proudly completed our first functional component using mold fabrication techniques. To create the part, we started by 3D-printing positive molds one for the tube clip and another for the garment-side clip housing. Using these, we poured silicone rubber to make precise negative molds. Then, using polyurethane and urethane resins, we cast our final components.
Seeing our part take shape from materials we mixed and poured ourselves was a powerful moment. This was no longer just an idea or a 3D model, this was a real, wearable component that could someday support improved care for newborns receiving iKMC. The part turned out sturdy, lightweight, and had the ergonomic design we aimed for. Each step from alignment to pouring and curing taught us hands-on manufacturing skills we’ll carry beyond this project.
Cheetos Extrusion
The Cheetos team also reached a huge moment when we produced edible extruded Cheetos, and people ate them! After extensive cleaning of all machine parts to ensure food safety, we began testing grits with different moisture contents 15%, 10%, 7%, 5%, 2%, and 0%. The improved torque, though still not perfect, helped deliver better extrusion performance with more consistent puffing and texture.
Through these tests, we found that 0% moisture gave us the best results. The extruded product was light, crispy, and had the classic puffed shape we were aiming for. Alongside testing, we researched and explored ideas for improving the feeding mechanism and belt tensioner to optimize consistency and minimize wheel burn or jamming.
Sharing Our Journey with the Community
To present our work, both teams prepared and printed detailed project posters, which we displayed at the Summer Showcase. We shared our ideas, challenges, and results with guests, mentors, and fellow teams. People were able to interact with our prototypes, view our testing setups, and even taste the results of our food extrusion trials.
Standing beside our posters, explaining the evolution from our earliest sketches to the final components, was a proud and fulfilling experience. This wasn’t just a technical project, it was a summer of learning, building, and collaborating across disciplines.
As part of the event, we were also treated to a special lunch organized by Chevron, one of the generous partners of Rice360. It was a great opportunity to relax, connect with other teams and mentors, and celebrate the culmination of our hard work in a more informal and joyful setting.
Growth Through Innovation and Collaboration
Participating in the Summer Showcase allowed me to reflect on the journey from brainstorming and prototyping to final presentations. It was rewarding to see how initial ideas grew into tangible, testable solutions. Sharing our work with a broader audience pushed me to communicate clearly and confidently a skill as essential as technical expertise. I also realized how collaboration, mentorship, and hands-on problem-solving shaped my growth not just as an engineer, but as a team player and global health innovator.