OEDK

Week 5: High Fidelity Prototyping and Refined Testing

Posted on by Edward Ndonyo

This week marked a transition from proof-of-concept to high-fidelity design as we advanced both the Kangaroo Cable Management and Giant Cheetos Machine projects. With deeper testing, better tools, and a clearer understanding of our design needs, we focused on refining both function and form.

iKMC Cable Management : Toward Final Prototypes

We began by iterating on our IV stand clip design, shifting away from the use of Velcro to explore more durable, adjustable fastening mechanisms. Our goal was to enhance long-term usability and reduce material fatigue from repeated use.

To ensure our final product would be clinically safe and manufacturable, we researched medical-grade materials suitable for hospital environments. This helped guide our decisions for the next stage of development.

We then transitioned to mold design, where we started creating a positive mold using 3D printing. This printed mold was then used to form a negative mold from silicone, which brings us one step closer to producing a soft, flexible final version of the clip using appropriate materials.

Another exciting development this week was receiving training on the laser cutter machine. We learned how to design parts and operate the machine, which opened up new possibilities for precision-cut components that will support both functional testing and aesthetic refinement.

Giant Cheetos Puff Machine: Moisture, Torque, and Feeding Flow

With the new smaller motor wheel installed, we resumed extruder testing this time focusing on how moisture content affects product consistency. The results were clear and promising: lower moisture levels produced puffed, brittle, and audibly crispy Cheetos, confirming our earlier hypothesis that low torque was the main issue.

We performed tests at 15%, 10%, 7%, 5%, 2%, and 0% moisture levels, carefully observing each batch’s extrusion quality and physical properties. The improved torque (though still not ideal) led to visible improvements in puffing and texture. However, we observed significant improvements in puffing and texture as moisture decreased with the best results achieved at 0% moisture.

Our next step is to design a controlled feeding mechanism that will provide a consistent flow of grits and help maintain optimal operating conditions. This refinement is essential for achieving reliable, repeatable Cheetos production.

Both projects are pushing us to think critically about real-world constraints from mechanical force to material safety  and refine our engineering solutions with every test and iteration. We’re getting closer to robust, field-ready designs, and each challenge brings us one step further.

 

 

Week 5 at SEED: Molding, CAD, Art and Riding Around Houston.

Posted on by Abraham Ngugi

Molding for iKMC(Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care) – Hands-On Fabrication!

I finally got to apply molding skills I learned a while back—this time for our Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC) project. The workflow was exciting: we started by 3D printing positive molds, then created negative molds using silicone rubber, and finally poured and cast the final pieces. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing an idea take shape—literally!

Preparing the Positive Molds for 3D printing

 

Negative Silicon mold made from pouring Silicone on the positive mold 

CAD Modeling & Assembly Builds

This week was also packed with SolidWorks & Fusion modeling. I worked on full assemblies for our water sampling device and designed several components for the iKMC project. We printed and tested some of the new parts—it’s always a joy seeing designs go from screen to physical object!

Snippet of the Water Sampling Device Assembly

 

Snippet of a kangaroo cable management IV stand

Museum of Fine Arts Visit – Art Meets Innovation

On Saturday, we took a sunny stroll (under that classic Houston heat!) to the Museum of Fine Arts. Along the way, we spotted supercars and stylish architecture—Houston does not hold back on flair! Inside the museum, we explored how artists express complex ideas through their work. It was a refreshing reminder that creativity drives both art and engineering.

     At the Museum of Arts

Retail Therapy – Target & Walmart Run

We also took some time to explore Houston’s mega retail spaces. From Target to Walmart, these places are massive! I couldn’t help but compare them to retail stores back home—talk about scale and efficiency.

WalMart Store

Zipcar Adventures

One of the coolest campus perks? Zipcars! With my Kenyan friend (whom I met at the Servery), we rented a Zipcar, cruised to Walmart for a quick shopping trip, and zipped right back to Rice. Simple, smart, and super convenient.

ZipCars in their parking Area.

Week 4: From Design to Function

Posted on by Edward Ndonyo

As we move further into our projects, this phase has been all about turning design concepts into physical prototypes, testing their performance, and making critical engineering decisions based on real-world constraints.

iKMC Cable Management: From Concept to Clip

Following valuable feedback from our supervisor, Dr. Kevin Holmes, and our client, Elisha Sanoussi, we revised our initial design by incorporating a clip-to-clip mechanism. In this design, a primary clip attaches securely to the mother’s garment, allowing secondary interchangeable clips to snap into place and hold various medical cables, such as IV lines, CPAP tubes, and NG tubes.

We successfully 3D printed the first versions of both the IV stand clip and the garment clip using a variety of materials PLA, PTU, and ABS to evaluate strength, flexibility, and durability. The IV stand clip can accommodate at least six tubes, while the garment clip holds up to three, allowing better cable organization and supporting comfortable, uninterrupted Kangaroo Mother Care.

After assembling the clips, we tested them by attaching different types of tubes to observe how well they held under simulated use conditions. This helped us understand how the clips perform when subjected to real-life tugs, bends, and movements.

We also conducted Design Review 2, where we presented our improved prototype, shared observations from testing, and received feedback on further iterations. One important suggestion from the review was to make the clip-to-clip design more modular, allowing the garment clip to hold various shapes and sizes of interchangeable cable holders. We are now continuing to iterate on the mechanism to enhance its usability and versatility.

Giant Cheetos Puff Machine: Addressing Speed and Torque

On the Cheetos side, we tackled one of the most significant mechanical challenges: the extruder’s high speed causing low torque, which directly affects the consistency and performance of the puffing process.

Our motor, rated at 3450 RPM and 5 HP (3.7 kW), was running the extruder at approximately 2495 RPM. However, through testing and research, we found that optimal puffing requires an extruder speed of just 350 to 500 RPM. The excessive speed not only leads to low torque but also causes product inconsistencies and motor strain during operation.

We evaluated three potential solutions:

  1. Purchasing a lower-speed motor with a 1440 RPM rating,
  2. Installing a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) to regulate motor speed,
  3. Changing the size of the pulleys/wheels to adjust the speed ratio.

We chose to pursue the third option due to its feasibility and cost-effectiveness. The original system had a 7.7-inch pulley on the motor and an 11-inch pulley on the extruder, resulting in the undesired high RPM. We replaced the motor pulley with a 2.8-inch pulley, which reduced the extruder speed to around 878 RPM, a significant improvement, though still above the target range.

To accommodate the new configuration, we repositioned the extruder slightly to maintain belt tension and reused the same belt. We also filed down the screw head to increase the gap between the screw and die, improving material flow and reducing friction that previously caused stalling. With the mechanical modifications complete, the machine was prepared for the next phase of testing.

Finally, we presented all progress and technical decisions during our Design Review 2, where we explained our speed-reduction strategy, testing observations, and next steps for improving puff consistency through material composition and extrusion control.

These experiences are pushing me to think critically, problem-solve across disciplines, and communicate designs clearly. I’m excited to continue iterating both projects and getting closer to solutions that could make a real-world impact.

 

Week 3: Parallel Prototypes: Puffing Snacks and Supporting Newborns

Posted on by Edward Ndonyo

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

Week 2: Why and How in Engineering Design

Posted on by Edward Ndonyo

Cable Management for iKMC : Designing for Simplicity, Comfort, and Clinical Efficiency

Our first project focuses on developing a cable management system to support integrated Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC), a lifesaving approach that promotes continuous skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their newborns.

In many hospitals especially those with limited resources the cables connected to monitoring devices and life-support equipment often become tangled or obstruct care, reducing safety and comfort for both mother and infant.

To tackle this challenge, we conducted thorough research and observation, concentrating on:

  • The number, type, and routing of cables used in iKMC environments

  • Existing cable organization solutions and their shortcomings

  • Materials such as fabric, Velcro (Velcro), and support structures suitable for clinical use

Now, in the design phase, we are creating multiple concept models using SolidWorks. These models will be 3D printed for evaluation. Our approach is iterative developing a range of functional prototypes, testing them, and refining the design to achieve the best balance of usability, safety, and comfort.

Some concepts under consideration include:

  • A tray mounted to a support structure or chair to organize and route cables

  • Velcro-based systems that allow flexible attachment and repositioning

  • Cloth pins with cable-holding holes, offering lightweight and reusable solutions

  • A garment-integrated solution with built-in cable channels for wearable convenience

Each concept is designed with clinical workflows, mother-and-child movement, and easy cleaning in mind. We’re excited to move into prototyping and testing in the coming weeks.

Giant Cheetos Machine : Troubleshooting, Testing, and Thermal Observation

Our second project involves troubleshooting a Giant Cheetos extrusion machine that was producing burnt products and frequently jamming.

To better understand the machine’s behavior, we attached three thermocouples along the extruder barrel to monitor temperature changes during operation. We also used a tachometer to measure the motor’s rotational speed.

Key observations include:

  • High friction between the screw and certain dies, causing excessive heat and material blockage
  • Some dies stuck and halted the motor, while others fit better but still failed to produce consistent output
  • A sample mixture of 50% water and 50% grits extruded briefly, but the motor jammed again

From these findings, we identified critical issues:

  • Moisture content in the grits is crucial too little water leads to burning and blockages
  • The 5HP motor running at 3450 RPM is too fast for extrusion and needs to be reduced to a safer speed (350 to 500 RPM)
  • A small gap between the screw and die may contribute to inconsistent material flow

Next steps include:

    • Developing methods to safely control or reduce motor speed
    • Conducting further tests with different moisture ratios to find the optimal mix
    • Making mechanical adjustments to improve screw-die interaction

Beyond the Projects: Cooking Together

Apart from our technical projects, we had a wonderful opportunity to cook and share a meal together with fellow interns. This experience was a great way to strengthen our team spirit and learn the importance of collaboration and communication in a work environment.

Cooking together helped us bond beyond our daily tasks, exchange ideas in a relaxed setting, and recharge from the pressures of work.

Reflection

These past two weeks have reinforced that engineering is not just about building things it’s about deeply understanding real-world problems and solving them with empathy and creativity.

Whether improving cable safety in neonatal care or troubleshooting mechanical and thermal challenges in food extrusion, these projects have strengthened my design, problem-solving, and user-centered thinking skills.

This experience reminds me why I chose biomedical engineering: to create practical solutions that improve lives.

Week 1: My Internship Story at Rice360

Posted on by Edward Ndonyo

My Journey to Rice University: A Grateful Beginning to an Unforgettable Internship

My name is Edward Lowassa Ndonyo, a recent graduate from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with First Class honors. In addition to my biomedical training, I also have practical experience in electrical installation, CCTV systems and lighting decoration and design. I’m also skilled in Microsoft Office, MATLAB, programming languages like C, C++, Python, JavaScript, as well as HTML, CSS, Django for web development and AutoCAD for electrical design.

📘 Visual overview of my final year project (click to expand Project summary)

Project Title: Management System for Prenatal, Postnatal and Pediatric Clinic

Project Overview:
This project, developed by Edward L. Ndonyo at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, presents a comprehensive web-based management system designed to digitize and streamline healthcare services for prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric clinics in Tanzania. The system addresses critical challenges in Tanzania’s manual healthcare system, where over 80% of maternal deaths are attributed to inadequate maternity care and preventable complications.

Problem Statement and Motivation:
Tanzania’s healthcare system currently relies on paper-based record keeping, which creates significant barriers to effective patient care. The manual system suffers from multiple limitations including data accessibility issues, increased vulnerability to errors, difficulty in tracking patient records, challenges in statistical analysis, and inability to implement automated reminders for appointments. With 2.6 million infant deaths annually worldwide (80% preventable) and 800 daily maternal deaths from preventable causes, the need for an efficient digital solution is critical.

System Architecture and Technical Implementation:
The system was developed using Django 4.2 as the backend framework, with HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript (ES6+) powering the frontend interface. The architecture implements a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) with carefully designed entity relationships including one-to-many and one-to-one connections between patients, visits, medical records, and healthcare providers.

  • Database Design: Structured to efficiently manage, validate, and secure patient data with unique identifier generation for each child.
  • User Interface: Intuitive web-based interface designed for healthcare providers with minimal technical training.
  • SMS Integration: Infobip API integration for automated appointment reminders and notifications.
  • Analytics Tools: Python-based data processing using Pandas and Matplotlib for visualization and reporting.
  • Task Scheduling: Celery and Celery Beat for managing asynchronous tasks and appointment scheduling.

Core Functionality Includes:

  1. Patient Data Management: Digital profiles for mothers and children with accurate, validated record keeping.
  2. Appointment and Visit Tracking: Automated tracking and SMS reminders to improve clinic attendance.
  3. Automated Notification System: SMS for confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups.
  4. Growth and Development Monitoring: Visual growth charts and vaccination tracking.
  5. Data Analytics and Reporting: Dashboards, regional statistics, and PDF report generation.
  6. Birth Certificate Integration: Generates birth certificate application files with potential for RITA integration.

The images below showcase key aspects of the project, including the system’s workflow, child growth monitoring charts, patient follow-up interface, and a snapshot from the final year project presentation.

This summer, I was honored to be selected as one of the five international interns for the Rice360 Global Health Technologies Internship Program at Rice University in Houston, Texas. This opportunity has been a life-changing step in both my academic and professional journey, a chance to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully alongside brilliant minds from around the world.

Getting Here: From Tanzania to Texas

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and the coordination of the Rice360 team, my travel from Dar es Salaam to Houston was smooth and exciting. I departed on June 4, 2025, and after a brief connection in Amsterdam, I arrived in Houston on June 5. The following day, we were warmly welcomed with a wonderful group lunch alongside the other international interns, Michelle, and other team members. That same day, we toured the Rice campus to get familiar with the university, a beautiful and inspiring place that would become our new workspace.

Exploring Houston

On June 7, we had a chance to explore the city. We visited the Houston Zoo and Hermann Park, where we bonded as a group and enjoyed our first real weekend in this new environment. It was the perfect way to relax and prepare for the exciting work ahead.

The SEED Program Begins

The official kickoff of the internship program, SEED (Summer Experience in Engineering Design), took place on June 9. We were introduced to our wonderful supervisor, Dr. Kevin Holmes, and received an overview of the projects we’d be tackling over the summer. Representatives from our client organization joined us to present real-world problems in global health that required innovative solutions.

The next day, we were divided into teams, and I was assigned to a group working on two fascinating projects:

  • Cable Management in iKMC (improved Kangaroo Mother Care) – focused on organizing and securing cables for medical devices in neonatal care settings.
  • Giant Cheetos Machine – a creative engineering challenge to build a fun, interactive mechanism inspired by Cheetos snacks.

Design Thinking in Action

From June 11 to June 13, we dedicated our time to brainstorming, conducting deep research, and making direct observations to understand each project from all angles. We discussed feasibility, user needs, potential constraints, and worked toward identifying the most effective and impactful solutions. It was intense but fulfilling work, exactly what I hoped for from this internship.

💖 A Heartfelt Thank You to Mr. Kamal and Mrs. Eleanor Shah

None of this would be possible without the generous support of my sponsors, Mr. Kamal and Mrs. Eleanor Shah, who made this internship a reality for me. Your investment in global health and education is having a direct and meaningful impact. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute in such a world-class environment. Your support is not only helping shape my future, but also the lives of those I aim to serve through biomedical innovation

Rooted in Tanzania, Innovating in Texas

Posted on by Rahma Kahindi

Hi, I’m Rahma Kahindi, a second-year Biomedical Engineering student from the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology in Tanzania. I’m incredibly honored to be part of the SEED Internship Program at Rice University this summer and deeply grateful for the generous sponsorship of Ms. Heidi Carson, who has made this opportunity possible.

This is my first time in the United States, and I’d love to share how my journey began and what the first week has been like. It’s been full of learning, connections, and exciting experiences.

My trip began late on June 4th when I departed from Dar es Salaam at 23:15 on a KLM flight to Amsterdam. After a layover, I boarded another KLM flight and landed in Houston on the morning of June 5th. The Texas heat welcomed me but even more warmly, so did the SEED team!

We were picked up by a friendly driver and taken straight to Rice University, where we met Michelle, our SEED coordinator. She gave us a tour of Martel College, our dorm, and we had lunch at the student center. It was wonderful to meet other interns and get a taste of American campus life.

 

On one of our first days, we had lunch with fellow interns and the students we’ll be collaborating with this summer. It was such a fun and welcoming experience we shared stories, laughed together, and really started to bond as a group.

 

We were also introduced to the Rice360° team, including Dr. Kelvin Holmes, who leads our work at the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK). I’ve already begun collaborating with an amazing team of students and mentors from different backgrounds and disciplines.

Projects I’m Working On:

We received our project assignments on Monday, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m part of two meaningful engineering teams working on:

  • Egg Brooding & Monitoring System (The Eggcellent Imposter)
    This is a conservation technology project where we’re developing a smart egg that mimics the behavior of real Attwater Prairie Chicken eggs. It monitors key parameters like temperature, humidity, and rotation to help protect this endangered species.
  • Autoclave Water Conservation & Heat Mitigation
    In this project, we’re focused on designing a system that reduces water usage and heat emissions from autoclaves used in healthcare especially in low-resource environments. It’s all about sustainable, smart healthcare technology.

These projects are an amazing fit for my biomedical background, and I’m thrilled to apply both technical knowledge and teamwork in real-world problem-solving. We’ve even had early meetings with our clients, and their passion for their communities makes the work feel even more valuable.

Over the weekend, we got a chance to rest, explore Houston, and try new foods. One of the most exciting parts was our visit to the Houston Zoo, where we saw so many animals up close for the first time. It was both fun and eye-opening to learn about wildlife in a completely new environment!

Zoo
A fun-filled afternoon at the Houston Zoo with my fellow SEED interns discovering nature, bonding, and making unforgettable memories

 

One week in, and I already feel more confident, more curious, and more connected. I’m deeply thankful for this opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally and to contribute to projects that truly matter.

A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Heidi Carson your support is changing lives, and I’m honored to be one of them.

One week down. Six more to go. Let’s make it count!

Week 4 at SEED – Laser Cutting, Texas Medical Center, Kenyans in Houston and 4rth of July.

Posted on by Abraham Ngugi

Week 4 has been a vibrant mix of technical milestones, cultural exploration, and unexpected moments that reminded me just how rich and dynamic this internship journey is. To know more about my previous week’s experience, check out my Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3.

Loads of Laser Cutting and research on molding techniques.

We kicked off the week with heavy laser cutting for our water sampling project. The workflow was super hands-on:

  1. Designing parts in SolidWorks.
  2. Exporting as DXF files.
  3. Editing in Adobe Illustrator.
  4. Cutting with precision on plywood and acrylic.

This was my first time using laser cutting extensively in prototyping, and the speed and precision blew me away(They are far more precise than 3D printers[what I’m mostly used to, so I had to iterate a lot at first to get the right tolerancing). I also embarked on a lot of research on molding techniques and materials in preparation for molding for the other project.

Laser Cutting Acrylic with the Epilog Laser Cutter.

Second Design Reviews & Inter teams email updates.

We had our second round of design reviews, which served as a follow-up from Week 3. Each team shared updates on task progress and presented the next steps in our prototyping timeline. It’s exciting to see concepts evolve into tangible solutions each week. At the beginning of each day, every team member was supposed to email each other what they had achieved the previous day and what they would be working on on that given day.

Visit to the Texas Medical Center

I had a swing by visit to one of the hospitals within the Texas Medical Center—the largest medical complex in the world. Its proximity to Rice University and the BioScience Research Collaborative makes it clear why this area is a global hub for medical research and innovation. Walking through those halls was deeply inspiring.

Texas Medical Centre: World’s Largest Medical Complex

A Kenyan Connection

While grabbing dinner at the Servery, I randomly bumped into a Kenyan student studying at Rice! We quickly connected, and he told me about his incredible research at Anderson Biological Labs. I spent a better part of last week’s evening in one of the labs where he was finalizing a research paper for a presentation. Later that week, we went out for tacos, and I got to meet a group of ambitious Kenyans living in Houston. It was heartwarming to experience that connection so far from home.

Left to Right: Mark(Student at Rice), Noah, I, Fred. All Kenyans in Houston.

July 4th – A Star-Spangled Experience Last week

I got to witness one of the highest displays of patriotism I’ve ever experienced—Independence Day celebrations in Houston. As I walked around Rice on Friday evening, the campus was alive with music, barbecues, and laughter. Outside Martel College, residents were grilling, dancing, and vibing, and the celebration energy was contagious. We later made our way to Hermann Park, where crowds were gathered on the grassy hills, sharing food and watching the sunset. The main event was the Houston Symphony’s “A Star-Spangled Salute” at Miller Outdoor Theatre—a magical performance featuring(among many others): America the Beautiful, The Stars and Stripes Forever, Olympic Fanfare and Theme, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. As the final note rang out, the sky lit up with a spectacular fireworks display, and Americans all around me raised their flags in celebration. What a powerful depiction of patriotism.

On the Miller Theatre Hill, Enjoying the Houston Symphony.

Can’t wait to share week 5 updates!

Week 3 at SEED: Lock-In Mode, Machine Shops & Warm Rains

Posted on by Abraham Ngugi

Welcome back to my blog!

My name is Abraham Mwaura Ngugi, a final-year biomedical engineering student at Kenyatta University pursuing biomedical engineering. My Experience at the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen as a SEED intern has been nothing short of surreal, and I’m sure you’d want to check out my previous weeks’ blog: Week 1  and  Week 2

Week 3 of the SEED internship at Rice360 was what I’d call a lock-in week—deep focus, full steam ahead, and no shortage of prototyping energy!

Design Reviews

We kicked things off with comprehensive 2-day design reviews for each of my two projects. For both, we presented:
Goal & Design Clarity: Refined project goals, updated design criteria, and tightened constraints. Concept Development: Shared sketches, CAD models, and our rationale behind each proposed solution.
Function Mapping: Broke down components using flow diagrams and step-by-step logic maps.
Prototyping Progress: Built low-fidelity models for new concepts and refined high-fidelity parts from earlier work.
Timeline & Milestones: Outlined key sourcing dates, daily deliverables, and upcoming deadlines to stay on track.

One of the project Design Review with a client

Train to Build – OEDK Fabman Access System

The Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen has a brilliant self-paced training system. Every piece of equipment is tied to your Fabman account, so if you haven’t completed the online training and passed the test, the machine simply won’t unlock.

Fabman Account Flow Diagram

A Trip to the Machining Shop

On one sunny afternoon, I had the chance to explore the Rice Machine Shop with Karl (lab assistant + guru of all things fabrication). We toured:

  • Lathes & Mills
  • Band Saw & Plasma Cutter
  • 3D CNC Mill
  • Drill Presses
  • Grinders and other post-processing tools

Technologies I Tinkered With

PCB CNC Milling – A clever way to prototype circuit boards. I got curious and stopped by another SEED team using the machine… and ended up learning quite a bit.

PCB CNC milling machine

Injection Molding – As part of our newborn care project, we utilized our in-house molding setup to explore high-fidelity prototyping options.

Injection Molding Machine

Weekend Vibes: Rain, Heat & the Rec Center

Houston weather showed us its dramatic side this weekend with some classic summer rains—you know, the kind where it’s raining but still weirdly hot. That gave me the perfect excuse to spend some quality time indoors at the Rec Center working out. I have this 7-day full-body workout routine from YouTube that, combined with the meals that we are getting from the server, I want to see whether I can gain some muscle mass.

Leg Day Workout at the Rice Rec Center

 

It’s amazing how much can happen in a week when you’re surrounded by smart people, great tools, and a common goal. Already looking forward to what Week 4 will bring!
Special thanks to my Sponsor, Mrs. Koehl, through the Rice360 Global Health Institute, for this opportunity.

Week 2 at SEED: Prototypes, Ping Pong, and a Dash of Tanzanian Spice

Posted on by Abraham Ngugi

Last week at SEED was slightly shorter thanks to the Juneteenth celebrations, but what we lacked in days, we more than made up for in progress, creativity, and memorable experiences.

Agile in Action — Real-Time Innovation

We continued to push forward with our projects, and I still can’t believe how much we accomplished in just a few days. We embraced the agile approach—failing fast, iterating quickly, and getting early feedback. It was exciting, a bit chaotic, and wildly productive.

Project 1: Cable Management for Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC)

After an in-depth conversation with our supervisor, we agreed to shift our focus toward creating a low-fidelity prototype. We wanted something physical we could test and get feedback on—fast.

We spent hours working through CAD designs, 3D printing, and even a little sewing (shout-out to my dad, who taught me how to use a sewing machine when I was younger!). It felt like everything came together as we assembled our first prototype.

On Tuesday morning, we marched to the BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC) to meet our client. The feedback session was insightful—the client was impressed and provided suggestions that sharpened and focused our problem statement (as our supervisor likes to say, “make it succinct!”). We left with more clarity and energy to move forward.

Testing our Low-fidelity prototype at Bioscience Research Center

Project 2: Water Sampling Project – Engineering Vs Hydrology

We also continued work on our automated water sampling system. After testing the previous team’s prototype, we identified several mechanical issues, particularly with the stepper motor, which lacked sufficient torque to properly move and hold the vials.

Our solution? Upgrade the motor and redesign the housing to fit it. I spent some focused hours in SolidWorks, 3D printed the new part, and honestly, seeing it fit perfectly was one of the highlights of my week! We also spent some time making the code, which was initially in one single file, more modular, which included separating the code into different files.

Unidirectional Limit Switch flap; Left-Cardboard Initial Idea, Right-3D printed

Tools & Tech

This week, I also got to use Onshape. Also, they have dedicated machines for anything here at OEDK. I got to use a tools to push in screw studs, No more using a hot soldering iron to push in thread inserts—this machine does it with precision.

Cooking Together – Taste of East Africa

On Friday evening, as part of our team building, we cooked a Tanzanian recipe together at the Martel Kitchen, a cozy space with great vibes and great music. The night was filled with laughter, cultural exchange, and a delicious meal. Who knew team bonding could taste so good?

Eating Together At martel Kitchen

Celebrating Juneteenth – A Moment of Reflection

As part of the Juneteenth celebration, we visited the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. The exhibitions were powerful, highlighting the history and contributions of Black American soldiers in the fight for freedom, and also American History as a whole. The most thrilling part? The firearm showcase, where we saw the weapons used during the war, and how they were prepared for battle. We also went shopping at Ross, a fantastic shopping space with a unique and genius business model. An unforgettable history lesson.

Outside the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston Texas

Cultural Exchange – Lock in & Ping pong

One of the most valuable parts of SEED has been learning from my fellow interns. The international students from Asia, in particular, have truly impressed me with their focus and work ethic. Their ability to lock in and stay in the zone is inspiring. Oh—and they’re incredible at ping pong.

Rice Wildlife – Bold Squirrels & Bunnies

No blog would be complete without a mention of Rice University’s famously fearless squirrels. They’ll join you for lunch… invited or not. And don’t get me started on the bunnies—adorable, chill, and absolutely photogenic.

Met this Squirrel On my way from Servery, It wanted to grab my apple

Conclusion

This past week was short, intense, and incredibly rewarding. I can’t wait to share what we build next! Special thanks to Rice360 Global Health Technologies and Mrs.Judy Koehl for making this happen.