Hi. Chikondi Kanama over here. Sorry that I have not blogged for so long that this is my second and last blog about the 2017 Lemelson Internship at Poly. Thanks to Veronica and Emily who made me feel obliged to take the responsibility to update everyone on what I have been doing.

As elicited in my earlier blog, Serena Agrawal and I have been working on the project aimed at designing and manufacturing stands for 40 bili-lights available in the studio so that the devices can be safely and effectively used in Malawian hospitals.

In the second week of the internship week we visited two Central and two District Hospitals, trying to collect data necessary for the respective projects we were assigned.

With respect to our project, we got the following feedback in summary:

•     Nurses expressed dire need for the bili-lights for phototherapy against jaundice
• Nurses wanted the light to swivel side ways  to create more space when they need to access the baby in the cot
• The hospitals have different kinds of cots (plastic cots, wooden cots and the hot cot, which is basically a wooden plastic cot with a top transparent cover)

In response to the feedback and considering engineering constraints, we brainstormed possible designs and then exploited the resources generously provided in the studio to go through a number of prototype iterations before arriving at the final version we have. However, considering that we are dealing with a weight suspended over the body of a neonate, we have been much concerned with safety tests, thereby pushing mass manufacturing beyond the time scope of the internship.

Nevertheless, the internship has been a wonderful experience. I have acquired practical skills that have helped cement the engineering theory I have so that I have been part of a team that addressed real life health problems. Thank God for the wonderful workmate Serena Agrawal; may she become the great engineer as she wishes. Gratitude also to all 2017 Lemelson Polytechnic interns and Matthew Petney as well as the entire Poly Design Studio staff for always being there for us: we appeared great because great people were in the background.

Finally, may Rice University, the Malawi Polytechnic and Lemelson foundation feel it that their efforts shall perpetually transform engineering students as well as the Malawian Health Sector for the better.