156A Week 9

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

• Currently in design phase for the mechanical aspect. Developing better understanding of problems.

• Accomplishments from Previous Week

• Meeting with Delson and need to clarify project with Sponsor. Obtain better understanding on Risk Reduction requirements.

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

• CAD the system

• Brainstorm ideas for how to mount

  • valve mounting 

  • sotrage structure 

  • mounting mechanism

• Find materials for risk reduction

• Website

• What they want us to achieve within the next two weeks. 2 options:

  • Redesign physical construction

    • Valve firmly in place during experiment. Mount at an angle.

      • Valve easily removable to clean

      • Hard plastic needs to stick inside the cage

    • Check if longer tubing affects the pressure sensing

    • Mount behind the cage

• Future goals:

  • Visual indicator of leaks

  • Debug the code to solve issues with data transfer and unreliable experiments

  • Recalibrating pressure with looking at cleaning/flushing procedure

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

• N/A

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

• What’s the big picture of the project?

  • Enhance a device that can precisely measure the alcohol consumption of the mice.

• What’s the precision of the device?

  • 10 microliters

• What’s the first step the sponsor want you to do?

  • Move the device to that side of the cage so that the top of the cage can be opened and compatible with fiber photometry. 

• Risks and Areas of Concern

• Just make sure no interference on data transmission 

• Resources or Information Required but not Available

• CAD files

• Schedule

• Describe upcoming milestone

• Update Gantt chart.

• Meeting next Monday as well.

• Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• Spent: $0

• Remaining: $2000

• Progress on Report and Webpage

• Link:

• Other concerns: 

• Keep the system’s precision 

• Improve the reliability of data transmission 

• Material of the 3D printed brass tube shell 

• The solutions are the same for all tubes and cages.