Allotted Project Budget
Equipments and Parts $4500.00
Machine Shop Expenses $500.00
Total Budget $5000.00
**Additional funding available upon sponsor approval from grants given by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Expected Expenses:
Projector(s)
Acrylic for base model
Axial fan
Arduino board
Screen Goo (rear projector coating)
Support equipment (breadboard, supports)
Additional design parameters (CO2 gas valve, mesh netting, etc.)
Possible Budget Issue(s):
1. Projector Selection
A fly's vision is able to pick up movement at speeds as fast as ~200 Hz. This means the projector to be used must have a refresh rate with a minimum spec of this value- preferably greater.
The model currently being used is a TI Lightcrafter 4500. They project at a high enough refresh rate and with a bright enough light intensity. However, they are relatively small, and cannot project a large enough image without compromising the brightness of the projection. For a wind tunnel spanning 1.5 m, we would need multiple projectors to cover the span of one wall. Having to project along 3 sides of the tunnel, the budget becomes an issue as each TI Lightcrafter 4500 costs $1200~1300.
Possible Solution #1: As suggested in the project outline, we can follow the Weber project model in using one high-grade projector and reflecting multiple images along the tunnel walls. A downside to this method is that the distance the light of the projection travels must equal each other or the images become unfocused.
Possible Solution #2: Removing the color wheel within a projector has proven to increase the refresh rate of a projector to nearly double. This allows us to buy a cheaper 120Hz projector and produce images at 240 Hz upon modifications. Possible downsides must be researched.
Sponsor's Fiscal Contact: Janet Shin
Project Fiscal Manager: Hyun Joo (Harry) Ahn
Latest Edit: 18 March 2015