Accelerometer Update

Today I got one 3D axis accelerometer from Dr. Irwin. I also got an ULI interface to go with the accelerometer. On Monday I will go and get the software that ties it all together. Hopefully Dr. Irwin will be able to find one of the missing accelerometers so that we will have two available. We hooked the equipment up to a laptop in his lab that has the software on it and I believe that this set-up will suit our needs.

Today I got a Measurements Lab key from David. I have stored the above equipment in the Lab and I suggest we store all addtional equipment in the lab. There are several stipulations for having the key, but we can use the lab to work on the project if necessary. A minimum of 2 people have to be present for work to be done.

Accelerometer Options

After meeting with David, I realized the ME's accelerometer equipment is not suitable for our portable arrangement. However, it appears that the SS's accelerometer equipment may work just fine for our experiment. I hope to meet with Dr. Jordan in the coming week and inspect the equipment they have. On another note, the ME dept does not appear to have any motors which would easily suit out needs.

Window Box Planters

We have two choices for the box planters that are readily available at Home Depot/Lowes:

1. 24" L x 5.5" H x (7.5"/4.5" tapered) W
2. 30" L x 5.5" H x (7.5"/4.5" tapered) W

Around the outside is a slight lip (~.5") where the edges are curled under.

Given the plant spacing (5 cm apart) we can fit 36 plants in the smaller one and 45 plants in the larger one. The disadvantage to using the larger one is that it seems rather long, and may be problematic when transferring during the flight. I feel like the 24" would be best. Dr. Zhou's idea earlier was to plant them in pots in 3 x 3 rows, and use 3 or 4 pots at a time. This setup would yield 36 plants at a time, so the 24" planter would accomplish this. If Dr. Zhou feels we need more plants, we can just strap on a second planter or use the 30".

The price for the 24" planter was $6.23 ea, and for the 36" planter was $6.73 ea.

Let me know if you see problems with this, or have any other ideas that would work better.

Proposal Responsibilities

I. Technical

• Jordan
• Corey

II. Experiment Description/Safety Evaluation

• Jonathan
• Gary

III. Outreach Plan/IV. Administrative

• Tiffany

Linear Actuators

I found a couple of different actuators that will work for our applications. I have the PDF files on my flashdrive if anyone wants a copy. I also sent in a qoute request form to the company so we can get an idea on the cost. I will continue to look for more products that will work.

Accelerometer Info

The good news is that the ME department does have 2 accelerometers. After checking the spec sheets these seem as if they will be acceptable for our experiement, but not optimal. Hopefully we will be able to find an accelerometer with a lower frequency range. Maybe Dr. Jordan's accelerometers can serve this purpose.
I will set up a 'small' experiement to determine if these accelerometers will meet our purposes for the 'big' experiment. This will need to be conducted this semester. I do not believe that our 'small' experiment will require the use of the actuator.
David will be able to install LabView on a personal laptop (Tiffany's), but he has to remove it after our experiment is complete.

Gantt Chart

Project Schedule

Milestone Dates:

9/19 - Letter of interest
9/24 - Decide spliting of proposal
10/12 - Complete design draft
10/17 - Mid-Term design review
10/31 - NASA proposal due
11/26 - Final report draft due
12/3 - Final report and presentation due


Key Tasks:

1. Determine method of measuring damping effect - Jordan
· Research Lamar’s current technology availability
· Research all current technology
· Test Lamar’s available technology and see if it’s applicable

2. Vibration assembly - Corey
· Linear motor
· Vibration table, including rails and bearings
· Response measuring equipment
· Electrical/wiring

3. Frame - Jonathan
· Size of frame
· Determine frame material
· Weight and cost analysis
· Safety requirements
· Structural integrity analysis

4. Wheat - Tiffany
· Research growing requirements and timescale
· Determine potting set up and planting pattern
· Determine containment/attachment for RGSFOP experiments
· Plant/grow wheat and rice

5. Logistics - Gary
· Determine overall experiment containment (i.e. Lexan)
· Determine controls for experiment
· Determine microgravity experiment procedure (actions for each parabola)