Week 4

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

• Preliminary designs and CAD drawings have been drawn up. Found a source for metal and stepper motor. Preliminary experiments involving adding iron filings into "slurry" solution have proven that particles with high aspect ratio are capable of aligning as a result of being exposed to a magnetic field.

• Utilizing a magnetic field simulation software called Vizimag, we have modeled magnetic field lines of two design solutions and have decided on pursuing

• Hall-effect Sensors have arrived and we are testing our theoretical values against experimental values.

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Accomplishments from Previous Week

• Preliminary experiments dealing with exposing freeze-casting samples containing iron powder/filings

• Order for Hall-effect sensors was put through but was not placed.

• Successfully built a working electromagnet and calculated its theoretical field strength.

• Sensors have arrived and testing theoretical versus experimental values has commenced

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

1. Compare field strength values (theoretical vs. experimental) = Michael

2. Tweak electromagnet variables to achieve different field strengths using Vizimag software = Thomas and Sam

3. Map magnetic field strength at various distances from electromagnets using sensors = James and Phil

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

·         “I’ve been reading some papers about similar experiments and have decided to for you to achieve a 0-10 Tesla magnet” – Michael Porter (1-26-12) 12:20 AM

-          We deemed a 10 Tesla magnet is not feasible with our budget and could be potentially dangerous to operate. Decided to discuss this with Professor McKittrick.

·         “We’ve decided that a 10 Tesla magnet is not practical and have decided on possibly using achieving a 2 Tesla magnet” – Professor McKittrick and Michael Porter (1-26-12) 3:20 PM

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

• “Did you play with different diameter wires?” – Dr. Delson (1-25-12)

Actions taken:

-          The magnetic wire purchased had 3 different gauges of wire. However, with the Excel spreadsheet, we are able to adjust magnetic wire thickness to obtain theoretical values

·         “Did you include a winding/packing density? Since wires are round, there will be gaps” – Dr. Delson (1-25-12)

Peer Comments from Presentation and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

·         “What is the effect of magnetic flux through the PVC pipe?” – Pauel Kozlowski (1-25-12)

Actions taken: we have modeled a simulation on our Vizimag software that accounts for the relative permeability of PVC pipe. According to online sources, non-ferromagnetic materials will have a relative permeability of 1. The resulting field lines still penetrated the sample as if nothing was in the way.

Risks and Areas of Concern

·         We have obtained a goal of achieving 2 Tesla magnet. We are still concerned with heat generation by the wire coils resulting run large amounts of current draw.

·         We have set control/set attributes to the electromagnet designs modeled using the Vizimag software. However, we are not sure of proper values that would suit our needs for the project.

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• N/A

Schedule

• Test homemade electromagnets against the Hall-effect sensor.

• Map out magnetic field values in relation to electromagnet.

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• Total Budget is $3000

• Spent $40 on iron filings

• Spent $20 on Hall-effect sensors

• Magnetic Wire (2x 3-pack) = ________

• Circuit boards (2x) = _______

• Remaining budget = ______

Progress on Report and Webpage

• Website has been updated with any progress made by the team

• Presentation has been uploaded to website for sponsor scrutiny