`Accomplishments from Previous Week
Toured Gordon’s lab and learned about different lab materials that can be incorporated into our design (pipetting reservoirs, strip tubes, weigh boats, etc.).
Key takeaway: Research materials are VERY standardized, which we can capitalize on using certain designs (i.e. inexpensive, interchangeable parts that are placed in a permanent fixture).
Discussed our budget with Ian to clarify budget breakdown (sponsor listed it entirely under “Parts & Equipment”).
Budget form is now ready to be approved by sponsor.
Met with Ian Richardson and completed “Lab Needs Form”
At this point, only need to have budget form signed to take care of all required forms for MAE 156B (no IP forms necessary for this project).
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Get budget form signed off by sponsor on Friday 3/10/16 and turn into Ian Richardson
Teammate(s) Responsible: Connor/Tianyang
Meet with sponsor on Friday 3/10/16. Ask compiled list of questions to clarify performance requirements and get into specifics of process (examples: How are samples received? How long does a single batch of tubes take?)
Teammate(s) Responsible: Connor/Tianyang
Based on feedback from sponsor, reevaluate risk reduction tests and come up with at least two tests by Saturday morning.
Teammate(s) Responsible: TEAM
Perform risk reduction tests over the weekend.
Teammate(s) Responsible: Edwin/Reiley
Put together final MAE 156A presentation for Tuesday
Teammate(s) Responsible: TEAM
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
From kickoff meeting (meeting last Wednesday), project background and basic project details were explained.
Started brainstorming. Meeting with sponsor again on Friday 3/10/16, taking specific list of questions compiled by team.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
Comment 1: Consider disposable lab materials available
Action: Gordon invited us to tour his lab, which gave us a good starting point to think about available lab equipment that could be used.
Comment 2 (during lab tour): Ask sponsor about specifics of how material is handled throughout process (e.g. how it arrives, how its inoculated, if pipets might work) in order to determine specific tasks that we can optimize
Action: Compiled a list of questions for our sponsor, and set up a meeting before the weekend when we plan to perform risk reduction tests
Comment 3: Because this project deals with equipment that may be used for medical applications/research, be meticulous about documenting the process (& password protect website)
Action: Started a dedicated project notebook to log meeting notes and risk reduction results. Once our budget is approved, we will consider purchasing a lab notebook or inventor notebook to officially track our design process
Risks and Areas of Concern
The primary focus for our group right now is identifying a solution that meets the bare minimum requirements for improving the WinCF system process. One risk associated with this would be falling in love with a concept that is too simple and does not capitalize on the amount of freedom we have with this project.
A correlated risk (once we start thinking of more elaborate solutions) would be coming with a solution that is more complex than it needs to be
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Refer to compiled list of questions for sponsor
Schedule
Upcoming milestone 1: Risk reduction tests
Upcoming milestone 2: MAE 156A Final Presentation
See updated Gantt chart for detailed breakdown of schedule
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Total budget: $2500
Total spent: $500 (“Shared Machine Shop Expense” for UC affiliates)
Remaining budget: $2000 (Starting “Equipment & Parts” Budget)
Progress on Report and Webpage
MAE 156A final presentation will be started and completed this weekend (refer to Reports tab)