Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Still working on reviving the system and trying to run it once.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Sara decided to stick with Excel VBA to create the GUI. Sara created a preliminary design featuring various macros and a user form.
Chingting is working on reviving the setup from last year. The only problem right now is wifi server. Chingting is researching for the best way to create a server without the help of internet, creating a close wifi environment.
Jiaxin learned some raspberry pi and she need to explore more information on GitHub.
Zixiang has designed several housing of the photo sensor and he finished CAD for the housing.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Sara need to ask our sponsor (Candice) about other control variables they possibly want for the experiment.
Follow up with team on the data transfer and WiFi connection, and how to integrate that with Excel.
Ask professor Robert for helping the customized PCB board.
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
we want to keep the air buffer system and that we are satisfied with the pressure sensor that was used in the original system (the previous team spent a lot of time comparing options and validating the calibration of this configuration). We do not want to change the way the system works, we only need to change the spatial configuration (milestone #1). The redesign is only meant to clear the top of the cage for compatibility with fiber photometry recordings (cable extending from the head of the mouse to photometer outside of cage), i.e. we need to move the drinking, sensing and processing parts to the back of the cage, rather than having them on top of the cage.
There is limited risk of mold formation at the sensor level since it is not in contact with liquid, but we need to be able to flush and dry the liquid columns, tubing and valves to replace with fresh solutions on a weekly basis (ethics committee requirement, since the liquids are to be administered by animals) or - in the long run - to change the type of solutions to be administered (e.g., different concentrations of ethanol, or sucrose instead of ethanol). Let me know if this makes sense or if more explanation is needed.
A couple more comments on the intro:
Fiber photometry is a method to measure neural activity (via a calcium indicator), it does not change/regulate neural activity.
The fiber optic implanted in the mouse brain is connected to the photometry equipment, not to the lickometer data acquisition system you are working on. The lickometer and photometer are independent entities. We will eventually integrate both signals to align drinking events with neural activity peaks, but this is not part of your project.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
It is good to see that the sponsor liked the geometry reconfiguration. The slides could have been clearer with the CAD and photo on the same slide, or at least adjacent slides. Also, all points were not clear (see comments on slides). In terms of cutting large holes in plastic, talk to the machine shop. They may have a fly cutter or other type of suitable tool.
I was pleased to see that you looked at a range of pressure sensors. However, the pros and cons were not clearly spelled out. If cost is a pro, then the dollar amount of the existing and other sensor should be listed. Also, it is not clear if the sponsor prioritizes costs reduction, since maybe reliability is more important.
In terms of cleaning the apparatus, more explanation should be given. Make sure you understand all details about the reasons for cleaning, and explore a range of possible options. For example, could UV light be used to kill the mold, and thereby eliminate the need for cleaning? Note, the word “mold” was not in the slides, but it seems like it one of the key reasons for aspects of your redesign.
For the explanation of the Air Buffer Mechanism, the figures from the last team where helpful but these could have been made even clearer, such as indicating where atmospheric pressure came in, and what the toggle does.
One of my largest comments relates to project management. Your slide implied that you would finish the valve redesign before focus was shifted the data communication and GUI. This a 4 person team, and I encourage that the tasks be done in parallel, and that risk reduction efforts for each task be done at the beginning of winter quarter.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
None
Risks and Areas of Concern
precision ans air tight
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Wifi Server
GUI
Schedule
Make a easy cleaning tube
Redesign the control system
Design the GUI
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Spent $107.74
Rasberry Pi (x1)
Remaining $1892.26
Progress on Report and Webpage
Redesign the webpage and adding more information.