User:N0aloha/ENES-100/project 1

Project 1: Cornstarch Walk

Week1 Narrative
Through the duration of week one, I researched gathered proposals on both a conceptual and functional level in creating a design which satisfied the challenge of a 'cornstarch walk'. I have, in greater detail, acquired a list of both advantages and disadvantages to a skiing' (gliding) mechanism and that of using suctions to tread this 'non-newtonian' liquid. Overall, neither of these methods are sustainable in transporting across this liquid, especially on a budget. I have gone into some research over using 'combustion' as a form of initial momentum, and am interested in learning if this is a practical force for any of the other methods of transportation being researched now. Finally, I theorized the pros and cons of focusing on 'speed' over 'consistency' of motion, and vice versa. Because I have not gone into, as extensive, research on the other methods (hopping, driving, running, swimming) or the use of batteries or stored initial energy, I am excited to go into further detail over the advantages and disadvantages of these, as well.--N0aloha (discuss • contribs) 17:47, 18 February 2013 (UTC)

Here is the associated /Conceive/ page.

My Second Task
Tuesday afternoon, I will meet up with my team and discuss the information we have gathered and contrast and compare which methods of transportation is most reliable and fiscal, in terms of design for this project. Beyond this point, there is much more research and simulation trial efforts which will be made to form a better understanding of the design the team wants to direct the attention towards.

Week2 Narrative
At this point, the initial design for the cornstarch machine will use a driving approach against the liquid challenge. I had the opportunity to experiment with the cornstarch mixture last week. With the information I have gathered about its quantity ratio (1.6 untis of cornstarch to 1 unit of water), the distance the machine is attempting to deliver (three feet of surface area), and the sources of energy there are to choose from on a limited budget (combustion, spring, electric combination), I have begun more extensive research of the advantages and disadvantages to these energy sources. I created a table, which provides a general synopsis of each energy source and elaborates potential risks/disadvantages individually. This table can be seen here: /Table 1/. In addition, to this table, I have constructed a list of possible materials that could work as the base of this machine in accordance to the potential energy sources. This list, /Materials/, will serve as a draft for a later template of most qualified materials and design of base model. I, currently, envision either a combustion or electric combination source of energy to deliver the distance this machine expects to cover. Further research will need to be gathered to understand if the ratio of speed to distance is realistic. Here is an attached video and video 2 which displays a first hand account of a sample driving mechanism against the cornstarch. Essentially, the relationship between the motion of tires and liquid solidifying is exhibited alongside a few challenges, which need to be further looked into. --N0aloha (discuss • contribs) 17:47, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

Here is the associated /Conceive/ page.

My Third task
Through the duration of 'Weekend 3,' I anticipate that design mechanisms will be developed, in detail, based off of both the decided energy source and driving concept. A lot of variables will have to be taken into consideration (including, but not limited to, density ratios, mass, volume of cornstarch mixture, expected distance, expected speed). Associated experiments will, also, be conducted. --N0aloha (discuss • contribs) 17:47, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

Week3 Narrative
In the duration of week three, I had the opportunity to sample the cornstarch mixture against the force of an electric toy car. What I managed to gather from this first hand account was better insight to how this mixture reacts with the rotating mechanisms of the toy car's wheels. I decided that the 'driving' mechanism may not be the best choice in design for this concept. I am now creating basic model platforms for the visual identity of a walking robotic mechanism to move across the cornstarch mixture. I have done extensive research on energy source variations and have found that either a torsion spring or electric source would be the most beneficial to acquiring both speed and distance. --N0aloha (discuss • contribs) 20:09, 4 March 2013 (UTC)

My Fourth task
This weekend, I will use this information to design the physical characteristics of this moving device. I will, also, develop a list of associated materials that I feel are most fit to this concept. I will, also, construct a tutorial for both arranging a constarch mixture for future experiments, as well as, a tutorial on the clean up of the non-newtonian substance. I think the failures which have been exhibited, thus far, on this project will act as guidance for future groups who now will know what mechanical wheel/movement/rotation concepts are not practical.

Week4 Narrative
Throughout the course of week four, I accumulated three other alternative moving machines to test in this non-Newtonian mixture. The forms go as follows: a stepping concept, a crawling concept, and a fast rotating wheel approach. All three of these tests were unsuccessful, however, the physical evidence drawn from these attempts is useful for future engineers working on this project. When setting up this last test run with different machines, instead of starting the test in the liquid, the group used a plank that was on level with the liquid as a approach to give the moving bots a 'head start'. I, also, documented the order of steps it takes to dispose of the cornstarch mixture, so that future groups can take on similar, if not the same, environment for their trials. I managed to conclude from this last trial, that any kind of machine that is very top heavy is not the best model for a moving mechanism which has to get across this liquid. I took into account that the materials used need to be better looked at, and possibly, even, the composition of the mixture of cornstarch against the water. There is always the potential that the mixture was either too wet or too dry limiting the bots ability to reach their ideal motioned state. Week four, also, entailed preparation for the CDIO, the group discussed how exactly we wanted to assemble the layout for the Conceive part of the CDIO and what information was proper to leave with a future audience, and what information would not necessarily be resourceful. I think after having done these trials, for the next set of future trials the simple mathematics/proportions need to be examined and determined and, from this, constructively used in designing a better bot or simulating an entirely different concept. Specifics I was left thinking about from this last trial included: Are the legs too close together? Should the bot be bigger and lighter? Would extending the legs to create a larger surface area with some form of vibration be more successful? Motion of legs can either work accordingly to eachother in parallel motion or successively one after the other, which is most versatile? How would one want to go about choosing the source of energy based off of this? Would mechanical energy have worked better than electric, assuming that it would be less costly in weight.

Here is the associated /Conceive/ page.

Here are linked examinations of Trial 2: Trial 2: Walking Trial 2: Crawling Trial 2: Rotating Wheel

My Fifth Task
This weekend I will pass on the 'Cornstarch Machine' project to the next group of volunteers. I anticipate that with the information gathered from this challenge and the documented evidence, of different driving mechanisms against this non-Newtonian substance, the next group can attempt newer or more accommodating alternatives to those already turned down. I, also, look forward to alternative variations of stored/mechanical/reactive/etc energy sources. This project has done, a lot, in exposing the very essence of how different moving devices react in their motion against the liquid.