Week 14: Research Paper and BAT DB

It has been a busy week for my TRAIN projects! I happened to have a bit of an easier week compared to most with my other classes, allowing me to devote more time to my ozone monitor and database projects.

I had a bit of confusion on exactly what I had to do to finish the research paper, but thankfully I have found some sources and references to help me write a good one. I really want to start strong and have a good looking research paper. It feels nice to be back on track with a clear vision of what I need to do. In its current state, my research paper is more than halfway done and looks great. Plenty of figures that explain what I am trying to do in a manner that is easy to understand without avoiding specifics of how/why I have chosen this research. I have also been making a little more progress on the operations, including the basic flow chart, gathering parts, compiling figures, and other information to help assemble and test the device.

Basic flowchart of the device's methods for gathering and examining samples. Detailed measures will be included that offer input validation, ensuring mechanical operations, and more at some point in the future.

The BAT DB is progressing but I have run into a few issues. Since I have had to completely set up the test database on my own computer, it has been tough to push information into the database tables for some reason. I am new to working with PHP/MySQL/XAMPP, so I have to learn what I am doing wrong that is preventing me from populating tables. The document parser works like a charm and prepares an array of information ready to send to the table, so the only thing left is to populate, test, and possibly refine the list of data points. I am hoping that I can move on from this soon, because we are close to a fully functioning system that would make uploading bat data much easier and available to all platforms regardless of device.

I hope everyone is working hard and making good progress on their final papers/posters. Good luck, make sure to eat healthy and go outside!

Week 13: O3 Sensor Parts, Symposium Complete

The parts for most of the O3 sensor package are in. I have been able to select a UV-C LED that emits within the ± 275nm wavelength range, keeping most of the emissions below 280nm. This is far enough into the UV-C band that any fluctuations should correspond to a voltage change from the UV-C sensor. I am still researching materials that I can use for the air tube. Quartz seems to be a good fit, but it is quite expensive. UV-C also can degrade certain materials so I need to find something suitable for shielding 

The symposium presentation went well. We had a few rehearsals and were able to share our findings, while hearing from the other participating colleges. Holding the symposium online turned out better than I could have expected. Research was presented from all aspects of space, and I was able to learn a lot. The main keynote speaker was Moriba Jah, who specializes in management of space debris. He presented a mapping project which is meant to track man-made objects orbiting Earth, while making it publicly available to hold nations accountable for what they place into space. This is extremely important to have, especially now that private space services are becoming realized and with nations likely moving to satellite based warfare. What makes it even more important is that there are few regulations regarding space object management. Many of these presentations should have been recorded and I will post links once they are available.

I am very proud to have taken part with the Fall '19 and Spring '20 teams, and they are all destined to move onto big things. I really have a soft spot for the program, and I have volunteered to work on special projects for Mr. V for the next semester. This will include assisting with transitioning to a new team, building the O3 sensor, and creating a battery monitoring system for the next launch.

Week 12: Adjusting, final paper, ASCEND symposium

This past week as been a bit difficult. I have been trying to adapt to this new work situation as best I as I can while managing the new structure of my classes. I am typically used to going from place to place to take care of things, and chatting with my peers once in a while to get through the long hours. This pandemic has really highlighted the reasons why I prefer to take classes in person.

I have been prepped on the next steps for the rest of the semester and have to pick up on my final project again. I still have my abstract and project background for the ozone package but I also have the option to write about the database work I have done. Maybe I will do both? Who knows.

ASCEND symposium has transitioned to a Zoom format and is happening this weekend. The team will be doing a quick slideshow on the technological achievements and progress made over the past academic year. Hoping all goes well, and looking forward to seeing what other teams have put together.

I hope everyone is managing well. Hang in there.

Week 11: Back to work

It's nice to be back. I hope that everyone is healthy, well rested, and ready to get back to work.

Although everything has transitioned to an online format, I am grateful that I can still work on some aspects of the database from home. I prefer to be around other people and in a lab environment since I do well with structure, but I have to adapt to the situation in order to move forward.

I am a bit stuck on my research project right now. I am very much a novice at writing abstracts with variable tables and don't know where to look for help. The variable table is the biggest problem, since I am not exactly altering any inputs to analyze output. Testing the device would require this, but the results of the project are based more on if an optical ozone sensor is sufficient for high-altitude ballooning or not, and whether or not it can be done within the given constraints.

ASCEND symposium is still happening, but it is voluntary and will be held through a web conference. I have been working on slides as well as the battery monitor/status indicator for the payload but we don't have the ability to assemble and test. According to my last phone call with ANSR, it appears that all the other colleges are in the same position. Nothing is set in stone but it is looking like we will have to carry out the launch in the Fall semester, separately from the next incoming ASCEND team. I am glad we will still get a launch but it will be some time until then.

Battery monitor (left breadboard) using the Arduino Uno as a programmer/power source.

Looking forward to seeing you all when this is over! Until then be safe and healthy!

Week 8: ASCEND and TRAIN Lab Close Temporarily

Thursday of last week, the ASCEND crew got together to get in some extra work time. Our team had time to prepare for a battery test, 3D print structural components, and work on the custom PCBs that finally came in.

3D Printing one of the internal shelving pieces.

Constantino, Javier, and Misgana work together
to make custom cuts to our new PCBs.

The lovely 3D Printer!

Genesis soldering components
for the atmospheric profiling system.

Custom PCBs from CustomCircuitBoards.com!
Thanks for the freebies!

     

Friday however, we showed up to campus and were told to not come back until further notice due to the corona virus. The team grabbed what supplies we could, and we are now working remotely. The space grant people have advised us that both the launch and symposium have been cancelled, and it is starting to look like we won't reschedule until Fall semester. In the mean time, we have been working on abstract submissions, the presentation, and will be polishing up whatever contributions we can from home.

Spring break has been extended by another week, and it looks like we won't be back into classrooms any time soon. I will miss seeing everyone around, I hope you all stay safe and make the most of quarantine time!

Week 7: Spring Break and She Se Puede

Spring Break hasn't been much of a break, but it has been full of great experiences. I was given a chance to work for She Se Puede teaching a circuits and an Arduino course.

Instructing students how to build a buzzer game circuit. Great for learning the breadboard.

Teaching is something I have considered pursuing. Nichole Spencer has been organizing a 3-day event for the Si Se Puede Foundation, that has a group called She Se Puede, which is specifically for young women in STEM. Through the experience, students will get exposed to engineering concepts and get a chance to work on Arduino projects.

The students had no prior experience, so my partners and I had to develop a curriculum that went from the very beginnings of  using electricity to developing Arduino programs. It taught me a lot about simplifying material, making it engaging enough for kids, and being prepared for unexpected situations.

Wiring an Arduino using the overhead document camera

Overall the course went well. Although there were some hiccups, we were able to quickly switch to projects that we had the time and supplies for. It is very rewarding to know that through foundations such as Si Se Puede and Hermanas, I've been given a chance to inspire the next generation of engineers, and hopefully get more women into STEM careers. In the future I hope I to have more opportunities to help young people get the drive that has inspired me to work in science!

Week 6: BATMON and Payload Battery Monitor

BATMON:
Progress on the BATMON project forms is going well. The goal is to import the existing data into a MySQL database and add onto it using form submissions. The forms will be parsed and automatically upload the data to the database. We are finalizing the lists of data needed to be included, and I will be working on learning to auto populate fields within MySQL if a survey location already exists within the database. Hoping to do this with another database table that can be searched to find existing locations, and auto populate based on a match.

ASCEND:

The carbon fiber housing has been cured, so internal components are the focus of the project right now. Both the mechanical team and the video stabilization team are 3D printing parts that will hold the internal components. Our custom PCB designs were sent to the manufacturer for printing, and will arrive March 10th. We were able to work with CustomCircuitBoards.com, who was kind enough to donate these to our project. Thank you Zack!

Battery monitor with OLED display, tracks voltage, amps, and Watts with values and a graph.

We are hoping to do a full capacity battery test this week or next week, where we test our main power supply and monitor the output until it runs out of juice. We will also be placing the system within a container filled with dry ice to get as close to temperatures at high-altitude as possible. I recently began taking an interest in building circuits from scratch, and ditching using Arduino all together. Using an ATTiny85 MCU, I assembled a battery monitoring tool with an OLED screen using some libraries found online. I am hoping to hook this up to the system and see if we can graph the output of the battery during discharge period. If all goes well, I can modify it in time for launch to display the state of all device within the payload, so we don't have to open the the lid.

The team is working hard to complete the payload by March 28th, so things have been very busy for all of us. I will try to take more photos!