So, the group has been thinking of possible plans of action. We've gone through the vertical idea, as in a gecko walking up a tree. However, UMass is doing that. We found it difficult to work with the supplies and money we had to carry out an experiment like that which UMass is doing. Also, the purpose of the experimentation wasn't clear. So we want to attempt a new idea: hanging from a ceiling.
The group didn't want to continue the idea from UMass (walking vertically upward) because we all believe that the WAB group was created to test our creative thinking. We want to design an experiment involving an adhesive pad stuck to a horizontal plane (like a ceiling), pulling down, and searching for the concentration of a specific adhesive that sticks best from a ceiling. Finding this concentration and knowing how much force the adhesive can handle can lead us to determining what objects this specific adhesive at these concentrations can hold up from a ceiling. Ultimately, the goal is to find a good adhesive. We'll work with one adhesive at first and possibly branch off to other types of adhesives.
The new idea definitely involves more concepts. We're not sure what types of forces are involved but that will be what I (Nasim) will be working on during my independent study. If the people from UMass have any thoughts on what we think we want to do, please say something. The plan we have is a bit different from what we started with and we're hoping that it still has a interesting purpose.
Also, (sorry about writing so much), we were wondering a bit about plate buckling and the idea of wrinkling. I spent the first 2 weeks of school reading and understanding the packets on wrinkling, and right now I don't really understand what that topic had to do with adhesion. I'll look over it again, but an explanation/clarification would be nice.
----any questions on what we're planning on doing, please ask.
-Nasim Cheraghi
I'm not sure I understand what you mean in terms of looking for the best adhesive concentration. Can you explain this a little? If it's easier to do this in person, we can wait until our meeting.
ReplyDeleteActually, we're still a bit confused ourselves. We came up with the idea last friday, so it's still a bit new. We're meeting again this week to go over it.
ReplyDeleteBy adhesive concentration (I guess those weren't the best words, I just shortened it), we mean changing the concentrations of the ingredients for making the adhesive material or altering the process of making the adhesive. We're not entirely sure how adhesives are made, so that's a problem. If this doesn't make sense, the group will probably have to change its plan of action.
The UMass meeting will benefit our thought process. We have a few questions that would probably be best answered in person.
-Nasim