IV Bags and Pumps

Specific gravity of saline solution=1.008. Specific gravity needed for algae=1.019. Translation: we must empty all of the IV bags, mix a new batch of sea water solution, and then get that solution and the algae back into the bags.

So far we are optimistic. During a brief meeting we ran some tests with the pump we currently have. For our final piece we have ordered a pump with four out puts, rather than one. We plan to create a system of tubes and splitters in order to spread bubbles throughout our algae array.

Pump/IV bag test:

Though very exciting, the only real success here was fitting the two tubes together. If this were to continue much longer, the bag would be full of air and we would have to squeeze it out like you see in the beginning of the video.

To fix this problem we snipped the tip of off the other tube and stuck more tubing through until it reached the air at the top of the bag.

The curvaceous nature of the tubing caused us a little bit of worry. In order to keep it from moving back into the solution we added a coffee straw into the middle of the tubing.

Next, we need to get the splitters into action and see if we can get bubbles flowing through a series of bags. Until then I will be making preparations for the arrival of the algae. The rigid Michigan weather may prove a threat to our tropical friends, we will soon see. Also, we need not forgot that in the gallery we will need a way to keep the algae in darkness for a twelve hour cycle.

Our panels will be cut later this week at which time we will have the information needed to complete our motorized moving mechanism.

The count down continues!

Pulleys and Release Mechanisms

We needed to make some progress with our form, so we whipped together a quick cardboard prototype. At first we were testing movement by swinging them against each other, side to side. This looked unintentional and was rather impossible to control. Prof. John Marshall mentioned that the duality in the form looked like a joint, and suggested that we explore the movement in terms of this interpretation. By rigging up a pulley system with string and human power we began exploring this idea.

This worked great, but the system needs to be self contained. Ideas were thrown around, winches, spools, gears, releasing mechanisms.... and we came up with this:

By shaving off part of the gear, we were able to create a release mechanism. When the larger gear (connected to the panel) came in contact with the bare area of the small gear, the weight of the panel will cause the large gear to drop, or release. I drew up a few ways to possibly create smoother movement.

Mother Algae

Having received our bioluminescent specimen on Friday November 6th it is about time I give an update. Sunnyside Sea Farms in Santa Barbra, CA sent us over (3) 5mL bags of very beautiful and very delicate Bioluminescent Dinoflagellates, aka Pyrocysts fusiformis, or "Lights from the Sea" which until now we have been calling bioluminescent algae, and most likely will continue to call it such.

I am the fortunate occupant of a very warm bedroom so I took the tropical little guys home with me. After their exciting trip across the country I let the algae rest for a 24 hour cycle, 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. Once I felt they had enough time to settle from shipping I gave their bags a little poke. To my delight the specimen were very much alive, and gave off a beautiful blue glow. Immediately I began learning about them. I was able to identify what was algae and what was not(maybe this seems obvious but they are very difficult to see during the day). Poking the bags once more I noticed that they glowed for a shorter period of time. Waiting for longer before the third poke seemed to let them regenerate and they glowed as bright and for as long as the first time.

The specimen held up just fine in their original worlds for a couple days, but we wanted to give them room to grow. In order to do so, I prepared two 2L bottles full of sea-saltwater (specific gravity of 1.019) with a little bit of micro algae grow. Being that it was my fist time dealing with specific gravities and hydrometers I began with a bit of difficulty, but by the second batch I had it figured out pretty well. To help ensure a safe transfer I left the two bottles of saltwater in the same room as the algae for the night (their day) in order to get the solutions to the same room temp, and prevent shock.

I am proud to say that the transfer went swimmingly, and the algae have survived beyond it. At first I was nervous to make the transfer during their night cycle because it meant doing so in the dark. However, everything went well and it was quite a spectacle. As I poured the algae into the new solution they glowed. The stream of glowing algae twisted and twirled as it penetrated the saltwater solution. It was truly beautiful. Unfortunately, I have encountered much difficulty and little to no triumph in my attempts to document the glow of the algae.

Becoming Team Slime

Coming to terms with reality, we have redesigned and simplified our approach to the final task. Having only 38 days until the grande finale (thanks to John Marshall for the ticking reminder), and accepting the fact that whatever our product is will exist inside a gallery we have abandoned the algae powered helibot. However, we have not jumped off of the algae train. It was proposed that we farm and harvest algae for combustible biofuel, rather than attempt to extract hydrogen for live fuel. A framework, modules containing algae, and heliotropic surfaces would create a system in which the algae would have maximized potential for growth. Because algae reproduces at a considerable rate, the system would include a dumping mechanism, or means of algae removal. This might involve human interaction. To enhance this interaction and add spectacle, a sensory mechanism will reveal the removal portal when approached.

As with all ideas, this one was met with some hesitation. Admittedly I wanted a little something more. Dumping the algae and taking it to another destination to be burned and used to fuel some unknown thing is not the ideal outcome I had envisioned. There was little disagreement that ideally we would be creating a closed system.

I try to operate under a set of unwritten rules as far as teamwork goes. One of these rules goes that if you are unhappy with a decision or plan to disagree with an idea you should only do so if you are able to articulate what is wrong or bad with what is being proposed, and in turn have an alternative solution or idea. Team 4 addressed the need for this rule in their presentation on Friday. So, being that I wasn't totally happy with the proposal I worked through the rule. I wasn't fully on board with the plan because I felt it lacked closure. Not only is the system somewhat open, but the end is undetermined. Then I had an Aha! moment. During the day (12 hrs of sunlight) bio-luminecent algae produces energy through photosynthesis, and at night (12 hrs of darkness) it glows blue, much like the lights on the emergency phone stations throughout campus.

For sake of prototyping we have requested strains of both green algae (unspecified) and of bio-luminescent algae.

On a side note- only 4 members of the team were present at the time of this proposal... Tomorrow we will see how it is received. I am excited to continue the evolution of our project and even more so to begin developing a physical model.