ID :- ETS0182/14
PHONE :- 0930558462
EMAIL :- sekin1218@gmail.com or aminat.muhammed@aastustudent.edu.et
I am a 4th-year Chemical Engineering student at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, with a passion for sustainable and innovative design. Throughout my academic journey, I've developed a unique perspective on engineering, focusing on creating functional, efficient, and eco-friendly solutions. My experiences in various projects and extracurricular activities have honed my skills and deepened my commitment to enhancing industrial processes and environmental sustainability through thoughtful and creative problem-solving.
For my recent project, my team and I focused on designing a drying machine for efficient tomato powder production. The project aimed to address the challenges of preserving tomatoes by converting them into a shelf-stable powder form. This approach reduces post-harvest losses, improves food security, and adds value to agricultural products. By employing innovative drying techniques, our design ensures optimal energy efficiency while maintaining the quality and nutritional content of the tomato powder.
Week 1
Brainstorming Sessions
We brainstormed six project ideas in our Telegram group and voted anonymously using a poll.
Research and Shortlisting
We narrowed the ideas to three:
Medication Dispensing IoT System
Tomato Powder Production and Drying Machine
Smart Adaptive Parking System
Each member researched these concepts, focusing on problems to solve, key components, and objectives.
Advisor Meeting
In Week 2, we pitched the three ideas to our advisor. He helped us select the tomato powder production project due to its inclusivity for all departments and alignment with SDGs.
Week 3
Our group began preparing the project proposal, organizing tasks and assigning responsibilities. I worked on the introduction, part of the objectives, and the problem statement. I researched, drafted my sections, and shared a Word document with my findings, contributing to a solid foundation for the proposal.
Week 4
We received feedback on our proposal from our advisor and reviewed it as a team. Each member revised their sections to address the comments, improving clarity and coherence. The updated sections were compiled by our group leader into a final draft, which was reviewed and submitted as our final proposal.
Week 5
We met with our advisor to discuss progress and next steps. One member secured an authorization letter for lab access, allowing us to conduct the tomato powder experiment. While half the team worked on the experiment, the other half focused on 3D design and modeling. This approach advanced both the practical and digital aspects of our project, with the 3D models providing essential design details.
Week 6
We discussed and selected materials for the project. The electrical and mechanical members prepared a cost analysis, which our representative presented to the advisor. After approval, funds were transferred, allowing us to purchase the materials and move forward efficiently.
Week 7
We started building our prototype and continued procuring materials. Challenges with cutting sheet metal and RHS required help from senior students and caused delays. Despite this, we made progress, completing the preparation of dried tomatoes in the lab.
This week, we achieved a significant milestone by completing our prototype, leaving only minor details to be finalized. We are now rigorously testing it to ensure it functions correctly and meets our project specifications. Concurrently, finalizing the project's documentation, including our e-portfolio and comprehensive report, with each member contributing their insights. Additionally, i was tasked with designing an A1 panel poster for our project to visually communicate our project's scope and outcomes. This involves carefully selecting content and design elements to ensure it is both informative and engaging.