Their story, in their words…
Project Nephron: A Nephron Overcompensation Detector
As a group, we created a simulation device designed to catch early warning signs of kidney strain, specifically nephron overcompensation. To safely model this process, we used a combination of concentrated dye to replace real biomarkers. Our colour sensor then read this data and displayed the extent of overcompensation on our TFT Display, giving scores like extreme and low.
However, this process wasn’t nearly as easy as it seemed and looked intimidating. Inevitably, we ran into issues like every project does. We had made the big mistake of not buying an expander, which was needed to connect all our components together. After doing some research we luckily found the somewhat perfect device to connect each component to our Pico. We adapted well to this major setback, and it was a powerful reminder to always be prepared to solve problems and more importantly not remain stuck in one set way of doing something. Building a project seamlessly is called following a plan, but true engineering is learning how to pivot when the plan fails.
We thank Mark Evison for providing the opportunity for us to channel our creativity and push boundaries in science, regardless of whether our ideas felt too absurd. Moving forward, we’ve genuinely learnt a valuable life lesson. That is to never hide from something when it seems hard, but to tackle it head on, regardless of when you’re ready. Growth never happens when we are capable or at ease but exactly in the moments where we feel scared and unable, and despite it we persist.
