MSDA Meeting

Today we talked with our advisor about the chemical testing process. Overall it was a productive meeting, however, there were some discussion topics that weren't exactly discrepancy free.

We need to do a dummy test in which we can prove our concept. We have a controlled environment that is injected with a ppm of something household, like methyl silicate, winter green, and then see if the sampler can collect and the spew the particulate back into the Mass Spec. We will also try with various forms of ether, so forms of alcohols.

To start this process we need to know the lower bound of the Mass Spec and what molecular masses will work well with CIT Ion collector. We think this value should be about 50 grams, but we're not sure yet.

Our advisor has sent out the goal for us to successfully test this device, and then eventually figure out a standard equation of sorts, to find the ratio of chemical in ppm to the number of m/z when collected with in the machine. This is some sort of ionization constant that we know exists, however, might be impossible for us to calculate at this time. It will be beneficial for us to understand that LOD curve.

At this point I'm very much out of the loop with the actual testing, but my group is solely dependent on me to produce a higher efficiency design with the air sampler and to make it indestructible as well as easier to be tested with.

Success

Over the last week I accomplished all the necessary tasks to be able to do research in the MSEE lab.

- Trained / Signed Forms

In addition to that I also stayed after the necessary training to learn about the SLA machine, how it works, and how I can utilize it for future tasks of adding more to the design of the Air Sampler.

I'm actually excited about working with the machine, it's quite different than what I'm used to.

Semester Planning Meeting

I was very pleased this morning to find that our advisor was pleased with our progress, and moreover, our openness and willingness to design and think through what needs to happen. At this time I won't comment much about our semester plan however, more about the progress of what I did this weekend.

I had the air sampler in my hands this past week quite a bit and have come up with a cost effective design that potential will solve to issues. 1 - needs to meet the project partners descriptions of size and durability, and 2 - needs to increase the efficiency of the device. I will not be redesigning the whole sampler from scratch however, will be adding to the device. What i would like to do is machine a piece of nylon that clamps over the base of the device that channels the suction through a plastic tube that mounts a sorbent tube to a quick release gas fitting from the previous link.

In today's discussion with the advisor, everything seems as if I can dabble with the ideas, but not yet create the product. I totally agree, it is good to look ahead, but why fix it if it isn't broke? Essentially, I can improve it and at some point I will. There are higher priorities at this time.

My machining skills and previous work experience should come in handy.

Research

http://www.mcmaster.com/#quick-release-tube-fittings/=3jk9x5

This website will very beneficial for me to use the air sampler design to the fullest capacity.

Air Sampler and PP Meeting

The MSDA group met last week to discuss our semester goals and how we would divide and conquer these tasks.

I was appointed, and requested, the job of redefining the existing air sampler. What this means is that I will recreate the device using the existing concept, but make it more 'police-friendly.' Our Project Partner decided that this device needed to be more rugged, smaller, and less loud/annoying to operate.

What I plan on doing, now that I have the device in my posession, is to take many measurements, observations and photos to create an image in some form of CAD software. This way I can play with my design with out altering the current progress from last semester.

My main goal is to have with in a couple weeks, a working design to the clients specifications, but also to improve on what I currently have. I propose to do this is that I will do away with the plastic casing and create one from machined metal, hopefully to be designed and donated by CDS machining, and to have all connections on the device to be threaded, rather than a pressure fit. This should allow for a very simple and quick design for testing with the mass spectrometer and also with the durability of the product. The sorbent tubes will hopefully fit into a brass housing that I can find at ACE Hardware for a relatively cheap cost. I'm looking into brass gas fittings as well as AC unit fittings. Each are cheap and easy to come about.

This week in MSDA

There was a meeting held on Sunday afternoon, however, I was out of town and unable to attend. The team elected two Co-Leader's to help fill in the gaps when our go to person isn't able to be there. We selected a time of Wednesday's at 6PM to meet and work on our projects. I have student leadership meetings with AAMB at that time so I will most likely be running late to most meetings.

In lab this morning we discussed what each group was working on, and established some goals for us with help from our advisor.

Next week we have our first meetings with our project partner.

Our goal as MSDA is to continue expanding our current chemical library, create a portable device and test it by semester end, and continue to contribute to the advancement that our project partner advises.

I don't think at this point there are any questions from the TA to answer like there was last week. However, I will be on here frequently updating what I have been observing and learning.

Thanks.

Reflection Questions - Week One

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2009

Reflection Questions - Week One

1.) With minimal instructions and a time crunch, the project partner needs to be involved from step one. By having the design team ask questions to best design a product for the user, is a very critical process. With out the project partner, the design could vere away from what truley needs to be done, and then a faulty product would be designed, time would be wasted, and in this case, children would stay ill.

2.) Ask questions. Present groundbreaking updates. Continually check up on partner status. (Does the design still need to be made?) Budget.

3.) Statistical background information. Client input. Previous solution methods that didn't work for their problems.

4.) Have any fatal interactions occured when the police force inhabit/take over a meth facility? What was used in place of our product before we started working on this? Is the intention that any police officer, with little to no education in technical matters can operate such a device, at the job site?

1. a) I can see myself being a team leader and a project liason. Mostly because of my previous communication and leadership training from scouts, band, and work experiences.

b.) I don't know them well enough to determine what their strong and week points were.

c.) I could see how the CFO would be a nusance, however, a budget is necessary.

d.) All roles are needed, however, many of their tasks can feel over whelming, with a group of this size, it would be nice to see more of the tasks delegated to more people.

2. a.) Communication should be the most imporatant thing. Be respectful and courteous when talking to others, we're all at Purdue, none of us are "stupid." Emails, phone numbers, and facebook names should all be shared and regularly used to plan for meetings and work sessions. Be on time. I can't stand people who say they have integrity, clearly have brains, and show up late or not at all to group meetings.

b.) A well meshed group that had similar goals, if not the same, that was able to work effectively and efficiently together to reach those common goals.

c.) I'm not a fan of students grading students, however, a teacher/advisor review should be necessary if certain team members cannot follow up with their duties.