Grand Challenges Impact Lab

January 31, 2024

Carbon Fiber and Grand Challenges

gcil

I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Rise Bionics, engaging in a diverse range of activities from wielding power tools to assisting in the intricate process of crafting orthotics and prosthetics. This hands-on experience in the manufacturing process not only provides insight into the technology behind Rise’s medical devices but also allows us to speak more genuinely to Rise’s mission of “Anything, Anyone, Anywhere” or the idea that Rise can serve anyone with any physical disability anywhere in the world.

Just this past Monday, we had the opportunity to help with the construction of a carbon fiber leg orthotic. It was a process unlike any I had seen before, involving the meticulous layering of carbon-fiber sheets and thin cloth (for color and structural support) and the spraying of a silicon-based adhesive. Observing the skilled artisans at Rise working at their craft was truly inspiring. The team’s skills and resourcefulness were evident as they used any available tool. When a plastic water bottle needed to be halved to be used as a resin funnel, we initially handed over a box cutter. However, Washeem, an artisan orthotist, surprised us by opting for a jigsaw, explaining its efficiency and the cleaner cut it would achieve. The foul smell of chemicals filled the air as they poured the resin over the leg mold, sealing and hardening the carbon fiber structure. Masked up and intrigued, we observed seamless teamwork with everyone spreading the resin evenly over the form. They shared short instructions and quick corrections to get it done efficiently and correctly the first time. Arielle even clambered up onto the workbench to help hold the funnel during the resin pour.

Our structured days at Rise strike a balance between hands-on manufacturing tasks and delving into the research of our grand challenge which is gradually taking shape. It feels like we’re unraveling the complexities of our project bit by bit, allowing both the problem and potential solutions to reveal themselves. Arun has been encouraging us to think about community outreach through a different lens besides the conventional NGO route. The grand challenge has been difficult to wrap my head around and I have to resist the urge to jump straight into a potential solution. It feels like my engineering brain has been hard-wired always to think of a simple way to find an answer, which does not solve complex grand challenges. Instead, I’ve been reminding myself to focus on defining and comprehending the problem at hand.

By Casera