Atmospheric Carbon Capture
Aerospace Engineering:
Aerospace Engineering is an aspect of engineering that focuses mainly on the production and development of aircraft, spacecraft, and other systems. Engineers must consider all the functions different aircrafts/spacecrafts could do, such as maintaining stability in the air for the purpose of safe transportation.
Chemical Engineering:
Chemical Engineering utilizes chemistry, physics, and engineering to develop equipments and systems through chemical processes. Many of these products are for everyday use such as shampoo or detergents.
Mechanical Engineering:
Mechanical Engineering deals with how machines are built, how they function and operate in different situations. Mechanical Engineers tend to design power-producing machines, such as refrigerators and air-conditioning systems.
Industrial Engineering:
Industrial Engineering is involved with the design and control of service operations and other systems. The purpose is to improve processes so that they can be more efficient and waste less money.
Plane and Rocket
IMG_8285.MOVPlane
We built the plane from the instructions we received. We had to replace our motor since we realized it stopped working as it was broken. Also, the instructions explained that we had to put 1/4 of an inch under the wing (which we did by putting two pieces of tiny cardboard), but we realized that it disrupted the path of the plane when we tested it out. So, we replaced it with one cardboard piece.
Rocket
Our rocket was very successful. At first, we struggled with excess weight and an unstable fin design. But, on our second attempt we re designed our fins and removed weight, achieving a successful launch!
First design
This rocket was moderately successful, but it was very top heavy and the wings were too small.
Final Design
Clearly, you can see how we modified wings to tapered swept fins and placed our engine sticking outside the bottom of our rocket. This made it so our rocket had a better center of pressure.
Final rocket launchFinal Launch Video
3... 2... 1... Fire in the Hole !
Rocket Simulation
For this task we had to simulate a three-stage rocket capable of deploying a CO2 caputure device, using RockSim10.
3D Build and Video of Simulation
RockSim simulator.mp4There's no CO2 device in the simulation, but, the mass objects located in the top of the rocket represent the device. The max altitude of our rocket is around 2.8km.
Arduino and Code
CO2 Detection Code
Using an Arduino and an air quality sensor, we wrote a program and connected up the hardware in order to be able to monitor the ambient air quality of the surroundings.
Drone
See our drone in action! The drone follows a pre-programmed route, moving through a course. It stops at regular intervals to allow itself to collect readings from a hypothetical set of CO2 sensors.
finaldronevid.movDrone Code
C02 Capture Device
3D CAD
When designing the C02 capture device, we determined that it was inefficient to collect C02 directly from the air as there is a greater concentration of C02 below. Thus, we decided that it would be most efficient to plant seeds, using the height of the rocket to spread them out. The design to the left can be operated by a single motor and will close or open depending on the direction of the rotating body. If the device is rotated clockwise, then the doors will open and the seeds will be flung out at a 35 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. It also has a storage area in the top so that it can be spun three extra times while the parachute is deployed.
