Week Eight

Week Eight: Materials McGuyver

The last adjustment to the three demonstrators will be done tomorrow during lab. We will be testing the electric current heating method against the butane torch heating method -- the data for the butane torch has already been collected. The two main factors to be taken into consideration when deciding a heating method are safety and efficiency. While the butane torch heats faster, it is less safe to have in a crowded environment like an expo, and will be difficult to cool down once heated. The electric current method is predicted to take longer, but will overall be safer to perform. 

This past week the final paper was edited with the comments left by Dr. Knight and a few more tests were done. The heating time and temperature of the water bottle demonstrator were recorded this week. This was especially difficult because of the diverse thermal gradient -- it was hard to get an accurate temperature within the one-liter bottle because the heat spread through the bottle at different speeds. However, averages were taken and the demonstrator has been finalized.

The last things left to do besides test the brass ball and hoop demonstrator are to edit and review the final paper, draft a short powerpoint presentation, and book an open viewing room for our presentation. After this next week, all testing of the demonstrators will be finished, the three informational sheets will be edited, and a powerpoint presentation will be made. Our group is right on time according to our Gantt chart and will be finished soon.