Electricity-free diagnostics
Exploring mechanical power for a low-cost diagnostic centrifuge.
In progress · Fall 2026
AAKRUTI Engineering Competition
Overview
Our four-person team is developing a low-cost, fully mechanical centrifuge concept for tuberculosis diagnostics in settings without large clinical facilities. We consulted Harvard tuberculosis researchers to understand accessibility, infrastructure, and ease-of-use constraints.
I am leading the mechanical power-system design: evaluating ways to convert repeated manual input into high-speed rotor motion, defining transmission requirements, and exploring slip-clutch and overspeed-safety concepts.
Start with the use environment
Limited infrastructure changes what a practical diagnostic device can require from its user. The project begins with mechanical power, affordability, and ease of operation as design constraints.
Current design questions
The power train must connect repeated manual input to rotor motion. My current work evaluates transmission and speed-control concepts, including how to limit overspeed. This is an in-progress concept; diagnostic performance and final hardware are not yet validated.
Keep exploring
A modular Mars rover