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Dr. Sam Macharia

Researcher, Educator, and Engineer

A researcher, educator, and engineer interested in engineering, computing, science, and the philosophy of science.

About Dr. Sam Macharia

Dr. Sam Macharia is an engineer, researcher, and educator passionate about the intersection of engineering, computing, science, and the philosophy of science. His current focus includes collaborative work in cutting-edge areas such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), and biomolecular machines. He holds a PhD from Gifu University, Japan and is currently a lecturer at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya, and he founded SiliconWit.COM for collaborative innovations in research, education, and product development.

Focus

πŸ“š Engineering Education
πŸ”¬ IoT/AIoT Systems and Biomolecular Machines Research
πŸ’» Mechatronic Products Development

πŸ”¬ Research Contributions

Iot And Aiot

Design and Calibration of a 3D-Printed Cup-Vane Wireless Sensor Node

Development of cost-effective wireless environmental sensing systems for IoT applications

Published: September 20, 2025

wireless-sensors3d-printingenvironmental-monitoringIoTwind-energy

Practical Integration of IoT, Intercropping, and Gravity-Fed Drip Systems for Water-Efficient Smallholder Farming

Comprehensive study of IoT applications in precision agriculture for sustainable water management

Published: September 20, 2025

precision-agricultureIoTwater-efficiencysmallholder-farmingsustainable-agriculture
Biomolecular Machines

Active spiralling of microtubules driven by kinesin motors

Novel spiral motion patterns in kinesin-driven microtubules and their implications for cellular organization

Published: September 15, 2025

molecular-motorsmicrotubuleskinesinspiral-motioncytoskeleton

Effects of defective motors on biosensor performance

Comprehensive study of how motor protein defects impact the performance of molecular motor-powered biosensors

Published: September 15, 2025

biosensorsdefective-motorsmolecular-shuttlesbiotechnologyresilience

Linking path and filament persistence lengths of microtubules gliding over kinesin

Quantitative analysis of the relationship between different persistence measures in microtubule-motor systems

Published: September 15, 2025

microtubuleskinesinpersistence-lengthgliding-assaysmechanical-properties

πŸ“š Education Contributions

Mechanics Of Materials

Lesson 2.2: Bending Stresses in Simple Beams

Analyzing bending stresses in cantilever robotic gripper jaws under grasping loads

Published: September 26, 2025

solid-mechanicsbending-stresscantilever-gripperrobotic-gripperflexural-formula

Lesson 2.3: Beam Deflections and Stiffness Analysis

Predicting elastic deformations in CNC spindles under cutting loads for precision control applications

Published: September 21, 2025

solid-mechanicsbeam-deflectionCNC-spindleelastic-deformationprecision-control

Lesson 2.4: Combined Bending and Torsion Loading

Analyzing multi-axis loading in robotic wrist joints experiencing simultaneous bending and twisting forces

Published: September 19, 2025

solid-mechanicscombined-loadingrobotic-wristequivalent-stressmulti-axis-loading

Lesson 2.5: Composite and Built-up Beam Systems

Analyzing bending stresses in hybrid CNC machine beds with aluminum-steel composite construction

Published: September 18, 2025

solid-mechanicscomposite-beamsCNC-bedtransformed-sectionmulti-material

Lesson 1.3: Compound Bars in Multi-Material Systems

Analyzing linear actuator rods with steel-aluminum segments to understand load sharing and deformation compatibility

Published: September 18, 2025

solid-mechanicscompound-barslinear-actuatormulti-materialload-sharing

Lesson 1.4: Thermal Stresses and Strains

Analyzing thermal stress development in heated piston-cylinder interfaces and extruder head systems

Published: September 18, 2025

solid-mechanicsthermal-stresspiston-cylinderextruderthermal-expansion

Lesson 1.5: Torsion of Circular Shafts

Analyzing torsional stresses and angular deformation in Geneva mechanism crankshafts and rotating mechatronic systems

Published: September 17, 2025

solid-mechanicstorsionGeneva-mechanismcrankshaftshear-stressangular-deformation

Lesson 2.6: Principal Stresses and Failure Criteria Analysis

Applying Mohr's circle analysis for critical stress evaluation in mechatronic joint design and failure prediction

Published: September 17, 2025

solid-mechanicsprincipal-stressMohrs-circlefailure-analysismechatronic-joints

Lesson 2.1: Shear Force and Bending Moment in Beams

Analyzing shear force and bending moment distributions in robotic arm segments under loading

Published: September 17, 2025

solid-mechanicsbendingshear-forcebending-momentrobotic-armbeam-analysis

Lesson 1.1: Introduction to Mechanics of Materials in Mechatronics

Understanding stress, strain, and material properties through the analysis of a crank-slider connecting rod system

Published: September 16, 2025

mechanics of materialssolid-mechanicsmechatronicscrank-sliderstress-strainconnecting-rod

Lesson 1.2: Simple Stress and Strain in Actuator Systems

Analyzing axial stress and strain in CNC actuator shafts, including material selection for precision positioning

Published: September 16, 2025

solid-mechanicsactuator-shaftaxial-stressmaterial-selectionCNC-systems

Chapter 2 Assignments: Structural Analysis in Mechatronic Systems

Comprehensive assignments covering shear force, bending moment, stress analysis, deflections, combined loading, composite beams, and failure analysis in mechatronic applications

Published: September 16, 2025

solid-mechanicsassignmentsstructural-analysismechatronicsbeam-analysisrobotics

Lesson 1.6: Thin-Walled Pressure Vessels

Analyzing hoop and longitudinal stresses in pneumatic actuator casings and pressurized mechatronic systems

Published: September 16, 2025

solid-mechanicspressure-vesselspneumatic-actuatorhoop-stresslongitudinal-stress
Spatial Mechanics

Lesson 2: Planar Transformations and Mathematical Foundations

Building 3D spatial mechanics foundations through 2D planar robot analysis using complex numbers and homogeneous coordinates

Published: September 26, 2025

spatial-mechanicsplanar-transformationscomplex-analysishomogeneous-coordinatesSCARA-robot

Lesson 5: Advanced Spatial Mechanisms Analysis

Complex spatial linkage analysis through humanoid robot hand design covering spherical joints, universal joints, and multi-finger coordination

Published: September 15, 2025

spatial-mechanicsadvanced-mechanismsspherical-jointshumanoid-roboticsmulti-finger-coordination

Lesson 6: Computer Simulation and System Integration

Real-time spatial mechanics simulation through multi-robot coordination systems covering numerical methods and distributed control integration

Published: September 14, 2025

spatial-mechanicscomputer-simulationmulti-robot-systemsnumerical-methodsreal-time-control

Lesson 3: 3D Rotation Matrices and Spatial Transformations

Mastering spatial orientation control through 6-DOF robot arm programming using rotation matrices and transformation composition

Published: September 13, 2025

spatial-mechanics3d-rotationstransformation-matrices6dof-roboticseuler-angles

Lesson 1: Kinematic Joints and Degrees of Freedom in 3D Systems

Analyzing joint types and constraint relationships in modular robotic systems through systematic DoF analysis

Published: September 12, 2025

spatial-mechanicskinematic-jointsdegrees-freedommodular-roboticsconstraint-analysis

Lesson 4: Elementary Matrix Methods and Link Modeling

Systematic kinematic modeling of parallel mechanisms through Stewart Platform analysis using DH parameters and elementary matrices

Published: September 12, 2025

spatial-mechanicsmatrix-methodsstewart-platformDH-parametersparallel-kinematics
Applied Mathematics

Linear Algebra in Applied Mathematics

Understanding matrix operations and their applications in solving real-world problems

Published: September 15, 2025

linear-algebramathematicsmatrix-operationsapplied-mathematicsengineeringproblem-solving

The Art of Simplification: Spherical Cows and Model Building

Understanding the power and limitations of abstraction in engineering and applied science through the lens of the iconic "spherical cow" model.

Published: September 15, 2025

modelingsimulationapplied-mathengineeringabstraction
Modeling And Simulation

Inverse Kinematics: Math vs AI Approaches

Compare traditional trigonometric solutions with neural network approaches for robotic arm control and motion planning

Published: September 15, 2025

modelingsimulationroboticsinverse-kinematicsaineural-networks

Simple Pendulum Modeling

Build a mathematical model of a simple pendulum and create an interactive simulation to understand oscillatory motion

Published: September 15, 2025

modelingsimulationpendulumphysicspython

Spring-Mass System Simulation

Model and simulate spring-mass systems to understand vibrations, resonance, and damping in mechanical systems

Published: September 15, 2025

modelingsimulationspringsvibrationresonance
Planar Mechanics

Lesson 4: Acceleration Analysis and Dynamic Forces

Understanding acceleration polygons and inertial forces through Geneva mechanism indexing system design for packaging and assembly automation

Published: September 15, 2025

planar-mechanicsacceleration-analysisgeneva-mechanismdynamic-forcesindexing-systemsautomation

Lesson 5: Cam-Follower Systems and Motion Programming

Understanding cam design principles and follower motion laws through CNC machine tool cam-driven feed system optimization

Published: September 15, 2025

planar-mechanicscam-designfollower-systemsmotion-programmingCNC-systemspressure-angles

Lesson 6: Force Analysis and Mechanism Synthesis

Understanding static force analysis and mechanism synthesis through multi-DOF robotic manipulator system design and actuator optimization

Published: September 15, 2025

planar-mechanicsforce-analysismechanism-synthesisrobotic-manipulatorsactuator-sizingvirtual-work

Lesson 1: Kinematic Joints and Constraint Analysis

Understanding joint types, degrees of freedom, and constraint relationships through modular robotic arm design using GrΓΌbler's equation

Published: September 15, 2025

planar-mechanicskinematicsjointsDOFgrublers-equationrobotic-armsconstraints

Lesson 2: Position Analysis of Planar Linkages

Understanding vector loop equations and geometric constraints through four-bar linkage suspension system optimization

Published: September 15, 2025

planar-mechanicsposition-analysisfour-bar-linkagevector-loopsgeometric-constraintssuspension-systems

Lesson 3: Velocity Analysis and Instantaneous Centers

Understanding velocity polygons and instantaneous centers through crank-slider engine and compressor mechanism analysis

Published: September 15, 2025

planar-mechanicsvelocity-analysisinstantaneous-centerscrank-slidervelocity-polygonsengine-design

πŸ› οΈ Product Development

Siliconwit Io

Getting Started with SiliconWit.IO

A simple introduction to connecting industrial devices with SiliconWitIO

Published: September 15, 2025

siliconwit-ioindustrial-iotdevice-connectivityautomationtutorialgetting-started

πŸ“ Blog Posts

Science And Engineering

The Philosophy Behind Artificial Intelligence

Exploring the philosophical implications and ethical considerations of AI development and implementation

Published: August 25, 2025

AIphilosophyethicstechnology

Contribution Stats

37
Total Contributions
2021
Member Since
Kenya
Location
5
Research Contributions
30
Education Contributions
1
Product Development
1
Blog Posts

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