Hello everyone!

This week, we’ve conducted testing of some of our subsystems. A leak test was performed on our solid addition device to check if it’s sealed tightly enough. Soapy water was poured on the surface of the device, and air was flown into the device. If any bubbles surface, the spots where the bubbles formed require additional tightening. In the areas where no bubbles formed, no additional tightening is required. We were able to eventually configure our device such that no bubbles formed.

Caption: Assembly of solid addition device

Next week, additional testing will be performed to ensure the device is sealed, namely vacuum testing. Testing will also be performed on the overall reactor. As we’re inching closer to FDR, we’re picking up the pace and working hard to finish putting everything together and have a working prototype to hand off to Milliken! We hope you’re as excited as we are to finish the job; stay tuned!

Hello everyone!

Continuing from last week, we’ve made some updates to our physical prototype. Our skid’s frame now has a second level! This is important because we plan to store additional components integral to our design on the second level that would have been otherwise to store on the first level with the rest of our work, like our reactor. Enough of a gap was left between the two levels such that taller items like our reactor could fit on the first floor.

Caption: Frame with second level and some sheet metal installed

Next week will be focusing on installation of our subsystems. Now that we have enough space to house all our components, we can now begin placing the sheet metal on the two levels’ floors and store all of our equipment to begin assembly and testing. Things are starting to ramp up, so stay tuned for more updates!

Hey everyone!
Continuing our work from last week, we’ve started getting into developing the mount for our reactor and confirmed it would be able to fit in the fumehood of the lab space we’re currently working in. We also got to take a look at a lot of the equipment they have in the lab, and was able to set some of it aside so we can use it in the future. With PID right around the corner, things are shaping up for the better, and we’re looking forward to showing everyone how much progress we’ve made!

Caption: Skeleton of skid’s frame

Next week will be continuing our refining of the frame of the mount for our system. We’re also finding as time goes on there might be small things here and there we could purchase so we’ll be purchasing those smaller equipment. Stay tuned for more updates!

Hello everyone!
This week, we’ve finalized equipment selection for some of our parts in our prototype and sent it over to our liaison to purchase. We’ve also completed some technical calculations to make sure the temperature of the system is under control when active. We’re feeling more confident about the feasibility of our project with everything coming together.

Caption: Facility where assembly will take place
Starting next week, we’ll be heading to Milliken to begin assembling our prototype, breaking up into smaller teams and going multiple times a week to expedite the process. With FDR slowly creeping up, we’re starting to feel the heat but we’re up for the challenge and excited to finally get into what we’ve been anticipating this entire school year: having a physical prototype we can test! Stay tuned for more updates!

Hello everyone!

The team took this time to relax just one last time before the final push of the semester (and graduation for most of us!!!). These next few weeks are going to be eventful, so stick around for more updates!

Caption: Enjoy the smell of the freshly sprouted flowers… unless you’re allergic

Have a wonderful break!

Hi everyone!
This week, the team’s made a lot of progress buying lots of our major equipment for our physical prototype such as a CSTR and some mounting equipment. This is huge; we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and now we can really get into assembling a testable prototype. The goal is to have everything shipped such that after spring break, we can jump into putting everything together.

Caption: Purchasing 80/20 extrusions for mount’s frame
Next week is Spring Break so we’ll be slowing down a bit to rest up before making the final push before the FDR, but stay tuned for what comes after the break!