Proj. Manag.

Project Management 

Weekly Progress Reports

• • Week 1

• Week 2

• Week 3

• Week 4

• Week 5

• Week 6

• Week 7

• Week 8

• Week 9

• Week 10

Gantt Chart

Magnetic Freeze-casting

            The objective behind biomimetic freeze-casting utilizing a magnetic field is to create materials that mimic the structure and performance of natural materials such as abalone shells, porcupine quills, and narwhal tusks. The magnetic device would be utilized in aligning misaligned particles in a uniform or helical pattern.

High Priority Objectives:

-        2 adjustable factors

·       Electromagnetic field intensity (0 – 0.2 Teslas)

·       Rotational speed (1 rotation per hour to 12 rotations per hour)

Secondary Objectives:

-        Ability to magnetically freeze-cast samples larger than 3-4 inches in height (does not seem to require samples larger than 3-4 inches) Current sampled are less than 2 inches

-        Ability to magnetically freeze cast multiple samples at once (NOT in the near future but maybe a consideration a while down the line)

Other Issues:

-        We want to determine the reason behind why we were unable to get our predicted 1 Tesla magnetic field strength at the gap. This could result from the concentration of flux causing the he iron to staturate.

WOW design solution: 

-        Design has already exceeded the sponsors’ expectations. The beautiful aesthetics are a bonus.

Risk Reduction:

-        Found Vizimag Software that allows us to view magnetic field lines.

-        Finding a method to guide to flux paths while the magnets slide along the slider

-        Found a Gaussmeter capable of measuring Tesla values greater than and including 1 Tesla.

-        Sample production will run until the end of the quarter

Milestones:

1.     Finalized design of magnetic device (6th Week) DONE

2.     All parts except for one have arrived (9th week) Last component in transit (Power supply)

3.     Get stepper motor operational once motor driver board arrives (9th week) DONE

4.     Finish machining the iron components that will contain the flux path (9th Week) DONE

5.     Acquired access to a gaussmeter for measuring generated magnetic fields (7th Week) DONE

6.     Assembly and Testing of the device on samples to obtain electron microscope picture of the grown materials (9th Week til the end) In Progress

(one batch of three samples has been created)