Review of the design process Day 8

Review of the design process Today we will consider two student submissions of examples of the design process. What characteristics do you think make these good examples? Day 8

Student example #1 Identify the problem: Radiation is spilling out of reactor 4 in Chernobyl Selecting a design: The idea of covering the reactor with concrete is given Build model/prototype: Concrete roof known as the “sarcophagus” is built over the fourth reactor to protect the environment from radiation. Day 8

Student example #1, cont’d Test and evaluate: The covering is found out to be only a temporary solution lasting only about 20-30 years. Optimize design: International competition is held to come up with ideas to replace the existing concrete sarcophagus. Sliding arch approach is chosen. Day 8

Student example #1, cont’d Build model: A newer and safer confinement is signed off and built. Two halves of an arch are built away from site to increase safety. Test and evaluate: The new confinement is built and is doing what it is intended to do Day 8

What are some positive aspects of this student’s submission? Student example #1 What are some positive aspects of this student’s submission? Day 8

Student example #2 My favorite example of the design process is the invention of the lightbulb. (Step 1) Thomas Edison’s problem was producing a filament that could be heated to a glowing point without being destroyed too quickly. Day 8

Student example #2, cont’d (Step 2) After Edison defined the problem he tried to find solutions. He chose to test filaments made out of platinum because of the high melting point. But then discovered that exposing hot platinum air caused the metal to weaken too quickly. So he put the platinum filament in the vacuum tube that is integral to all modern incandescent lightbulbs. Then he discovered that a carbonized thread could be used for the filament lowering the lightbulbs cost and making it commercially viable product. His third and fourth step happened at the same time. Day 8

Student example #2, cont’d (Step 3) Edison had to document his work by hand and some inventors still use pen and paper. But many use computers. (Step 4)Then he tested and refined his invention. And that’s how the lightbulb was invented. Day 8

What are some positive aspects of this student’s submission? Student example #2 What are some positive aspects of this student’s submission? Day 8

Trivia question for the day: Student example #2 Trivia question for the day: What was Edison’s deeper purpose in designing the light bulb? I.e., what primary issue was he trying to address? Day 8

And now for a change of pace… Day 8, Part 2

Bonus trivia question: What problem was this marvel of engineering trying to solve? (the pop top, not the straw) Day 8, Part 2

Bonus trivia question: If you need a hint, compare the old to the new. Day 8, Part 2

Bonus trivia question: If you need a stronger hint, here’s another comparison Day 8, Part 2

Some basics: The pop top for an aluminum can is an example of a simple machine. 1. Particularly As it applies to engineering, what is a machine? Day 8, Part 2

Some basics: 2. What are some of the concepts normally associated with physics that are heavily involved in the design and manufacturing of machines? Day 8, Part 2

Some basics: 3. What is the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity? Day 8, Part 2

4. How would you define force? Some basics: 4. How would you define force? Day 8, Part 2

5. What is required in order to accomplish work? Some basics: 5. What is required in order to accomplish work? Day 8, Part 2

6. How would you define power? Some basics: 6. How would you define power? Day 8, Part 2

Some basics: 7. How much power (in hp) is it possible for humans alone to generate for a short burst of time? Over a longer, sustained amount of time? (Hours vs. seconds) Day 8, Part 2

Some basics: 8. What is the definition of one horsepower? how did this definition originate? Day 8, Part 2

Yet another trivia question: Some basics: Yet another trivia question: 9. Why did James watt develop the unit called horsepower? (what problem did it help solve?) Day 8, Part 2