Even though it has already been almost a month since leaving Malawi, I can still picture myself sitting down for a hearty breakfast at the lodge, taking the shuttle to MUBAS, and spending long days at the design studio with Bright, Mehmet and Racheal working on our projects. Looking back at the pictures and memories, I still can’t believe how much we were able to accomplish in just two months. This experience not only challenged me to hone my engineering skills but also shaped me in ways that will guide my future path. 

During our final week, we worked intensely to complete our projects. Days turned into late nights as Bright and I 3D printed our last components, assembled our medium fidelity prototype, and prepared our final presentation detailing all the progress made on our nebulizer design as well as the arm tourniquet model. 

Our medium fidelity prototype of our nebulizer included a compressor air machine, a modified medicine cup with a silicon O-ring, corrugated tubing, and a mask with a foam edge. The most ambitious aspect was the multi-user interface component, which relied on a dual-pumping piston mechanism inspired by the Scotch-Yoke design. 

Initially, we planned for a piston that would compress air on both sides in a balanced way, similar to existing compressor mechanisms. But once we tested our 3D-printed design, we discovered unexpected imbalances: while one side followed a linear pumping motion, the other rotated slightly, creating inefficiencies. This challenge pushed us to think creatively, and we pivoted to a Scotch yoke mechanism, which converts rotational motion into linear motion. Despite the last-minute shift, we were able to connect our system to a motor and produce a running prototype!

While our design did not yet reach the pressure required for aerosolization, it achieved sufficient piston velocity and flow rates which showed us that while the overall design concept was sound, the internal geometry of some 3D-printed components probably needs refinement. Bright and I brainstormed potential modifications, such as adding check valves for one-way compression and experimenting with low-friction materials like polished acrylic or PTFE. Moving forward, conducting a cost-benefit analysis and evaluating the design’s mechanical efficiency would be important steps in assessing feasibility for real-world use. 

We then ended our week with our final presentations and received valuable feedback from our mentors and faculty in the engineering department that could definitely inform future designs.

Ultimately, this internship was much more than just an engineering project. It was an immersion into a new place and culture that taught me resilience, creativity, and humility. I’m deeply grateful for the friendships I formed, the food I shared, and the perspectives I gained. Traveling to Malawi gave me an unfiltered look at both the challenges and the incredible strength of the people I met working to improve the quality of life for all. They’ve inspired me to carry this work forward, not only through improving medical technology but also advocating for equitable healthcare and resources, and I can’t wait to continue contributing meaningfully to this field.

This was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, and I know it will not be my last time in Malawi. I leave with gratitude, inspiration, and excitement for what lies ahead and how the projects will continue to progress. 

Thanks for following along!

Katie