Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Distributed tasks for Individual Component Analyses
Established several potential avenues for achieving the cooling requirement:
Dry ice phase change cold source
Thermal mass (parrafin, glass, or other low density, high specific heat material) as a cold source
Fluid-cooled "chill plate" affixed to substrate
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Decided to put peltier cooling solution on hold to consider potential alternatives (partially for the sake of performing novel analyses for the individual component analyses)
Received updated specifications from sponsor (some CAD of previous test setup now available)
Assignments for Next Week
Jayant Mathur
Research available resistance heaters.
Individual Component Analysis: Temperature control via resistance heater.
All current solution options will require additional heat input to achieve fine temperature tuning.
Consider feasibility of controlling commercial resistance heaters from Watlow that satisfy mass constraints and heating requirements.
Nate Goldberg
Locate dry ice supplier.
Examine feasibility of shaping dry ice to serve as a consumable cold source.
Individual Component Analysis: Dry ice phase change cooling solution.
Determine quantity of dry ice necessary to operate chill puck for at least 1 hr.
Examine methods to account for sublimated carbon dioxide.
Kristen Matsuno
Contact fluid-cooled "chill plate" manufacturers, obtain specifications and product quote.
Individual Component Analysis: "Chill plate" cooling solution hardware.
Determine power dissipation capabilities and establish rough factor of safety for performance.
Verify that potential solution fits within experimental parameters.
Nathaniel Liu
Perform rudimentary test of siphon using 1.5mm (ID) silicone tubing for use with potential chill plate solution method.
Individual Component Analysis: Siphon (pressure-driven) cold water flow to chill plate.
Determine necessary pressure drop (and corresponding siphon height) to drive cold water coolant through chill plate.
Examine the impact of physical perturbations from coolant flow upon mass data.
Sponsor Feedback and Corresponding Action Items
Prior to Spring Break, the sponsor was made aware of the potential problem of condensation upon cooled surfaces. No immediate decisions arose, but the issue is now on the table.
The sponsor reiterated the need to avoid mechanical connections to the test module if possible, for the sake of minimizing disturbances to the mass measurement. Accordingly, plans for an external power supply were scrapped and current design solutions are respectful of this important requirement.
Instructor Feedback and Corresponding Action Items
As Professor T. remained optimistic about the potential peltier cooling solution, the option to use thermoelectric coolers and a high quality heat sink has not been entirely ruled out, but put on hold until individual component analyses have been completed. This way, new work can be done without overlapping with the risk reduction from last quarter.
Also according to Professor T.'s instructions, the sponsor was made aware of the issue of water condensation around cool surfaces.
Comments from Other Students
N/A
Risks and Areas of Concern
Dry ice solution may require significant control of sublimated CO2.
Fluid-cooled chill plate solution may produce unacceptable degrees of perturbation.
Other cooling solutions must be conceived such that they fit within the mass requirement.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Inkjet droplet mass measurement scale is currently unknown.
Schedule
Wednesday 4/5 - 10:00am Team Meeting
2:00pm Meeting with Sponsor
3:00pm Meeting with 156B Class (10 min. windows with Prof. T.)
Thursday 4/6 - Complete Individual Component Analyses
Friday 4/7 - Turn in Individual Component Analyses
- Discuss Next Steps
- Organize Webpage
Budget
$35 Spent on Risk Reduction (Winter 2017)
$1165 Remaining Budget for Equipment and Parts
Progress on Report and Webpage
Gantt Chart and Progress Report Updated!
Following the completion of first major milestone (Individual Component Analysis), site organization meeting will be held to polish and organize team website.