Our Problem & Solution

People have no water...

So we get it for them!

Evolutionary Precedent of the Beetle Shell

Hi I am still a Namib Desert Beetle :D

To survive the hot and arid environment of Southwest Africa, the Namib desert beetle has evolved with a shell that is able to draw water from mist and air.

Initial sketches

Andrew

Self-cleaning surfaces

Detoxification

Water collector

Air purification

Oliver

Reforestation

Water filtration

self-degrading polymers

Precedent 1

Structure of a beetle shell

Key Structure

Precedent 2

General Concept for what we were aiming for

Precedent 3

Another example of water collection

Final Sketch

Cardboard Prototype

Central Axle

Leaves

Electronics Storage Space

Water Collection Tank

Funnel

Proof of Concept

Previous Updates

The foam was able to have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic coating thanks to its bumps

( Feature scrapped )

Water sensor to detect and initiate the solenoid to function

( Feature modified )

Solenoid functions remained

All Electronics

Feedback from Midreview:

• Storage for Electronics
• Solenoid Compatability
• Leaf Layers

Time!

1. Laser-cut a piece of wood
2. Cover it with a smooth layer of tin foil (for heat conductivity)
3. Spray paint with superhydrophobic coating
4. Use the previous method to print on the hydrophilic grids

• The CCI camera was not working for one day so we'll just jump to the final protytype.

Leaves

Box for electronics

Central Rod

Lego pieces + wooden sticks to stabilize piston

Piston

Piston Relay

Velcro

Arduino

Breadboard

Final Code

Translation:

(Set A0, 7, 8 to Output, A1 to input)

If the water sensor senses water, turn on the green light; otherwise, turn off the green light.

If the timer reaches 2.5 minutes, trigger the piston twice and reset the timer.

Overall Image

Central Rod triggers every 2.5 minutes

Water sensor

(If sensed water, flash green light and stop piston)

Velcro between two boxes

Batteries

Water Container

Notice that we changed designs from funnel to sideways collection since the piston cannot reach out vertically from the electronics box

Unfortunately...

This device only somewhat works. Why?

Dew point

If we had more time...

• Add cooling chips to leaves / directly make the leaves from cooling chips
• Enlarge the leaves: larger condensation area
• Make the collection box actually watertight
• Enhance solenoid function

Thank You For Listening!

Questions?

Problem & Solution

People have no water...

So we get it for them!

Evolutionary History of the Beetle Shell

Hi I am a Namib Desert Beetle :D

To survive the hot and arid environment of Southwest Africa, the Namib desert beetle has evolved with a shell that is able to draw water from mist and air.

Initial Sketches

Andrew

Oliver

The Idea we chose

Precedent 1

Structure of a beetle shell

Key Structure

Precedent 2

Obviously we couldn't make this...

But it's a general idea

Precedent 3

Another example of water collection

More Sketches

Prototype

(Low effort lol)

• Blue paint represents hydrophobic coating
• "Leaves" will probably be cooled down
• Axle shakes every ~5 minutes to shake off condensed water droplets

Electronics storage space

Water collection tank

Funnel

"Leaves" with alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic coating

Central Axle

First breakthrough - Leaves

• Dark blue paint = hydrophilic coating
• Light blue paint = hydrophobic coating
• Spray the surface with hydrophobic coating, then go over the foam tiles lightly with hydrophilic paint using a roller paint brush

1. Bend the foam and attatch it to metal plate that is attached to a central axle
2. Cool down the metal plate; water droplets will condense on the surface of the foam
3. Tilt or shake the axle to get the condensed water droplets off

Electronics Part 1

Water Sensor

To prevent damaging the electronics, a water sensor will trigger a warning light when the water level reaches a certain height.

Electronics Part 2

Second breakthrough - Solenoid Piston Control

Electronics Part 2

Piston Wiring diagram

What's a flyback diode?

Well too bad we're not using it

Electronics

Look at this absolute abomination :(

Piston Unit

Water sensor

2 extra batteries + relay

Red light when there is no water

Green light when there is water

Next Steps

1. Design & print the water collection system
2. Find a hydrophobic coating and a hydrophilic coating
3. Design & make the base of the leaves out of metal
4. Find a way to cool the metal down with (maybe?) semiconductors

Thank you!

Questions?

Comments?

Concerns?

Thesis

In track and field, pure speed and technique is all that is needed. To create optimal track spikes, we used inspiration from cheetahs. We used the design of their paws, with digging claws in the front, soft pads in the front/back, and empty space in the middle.

Precedents

Daniel's Sketches

Ethan's Sketches

Prototype #1

Iteration

To replicate the soft, gel-like pads of a cheetah, we decided to 3d print molds, to allow a substance to dry over time, instead of 3d printing the gel. For the sole itself, we want to use silicone, utilizing its ability for shock absorption and resistance.

Iteration

For the spikes themselves, we had to do our own research to find the best fit for our track spikes. In our findings, we deduced that 9mm pyramid shaped spikes would work best for sprinting on a track and/or natural grass. Again, we designed these on tinkercad.

Mid-Review



-Quick assembly

-Heavy testing

-Be open to changes

-Real life applications

Iteration



-Round gels instead of rectangular to stay on balls of feet

-Foam soles

-Velcro

Roadblock-assembly

One thing that took surprisingly long was the assembly of the sole. The gel was very hard to cut and thus it took almost an entire class just to get the shape. When we glued it on, it kept falling off too. Our last roadblock during assembly were the spikes. We continually lost them and it was difficult to put them on. Eventually, we were able to finish assembling the sole.

Roadblock- testing

We encountered a second roadblock when we were testing. The sole fit well and we could put it on, but the spikes would break every time I tried to walk. To fix this, we tried to dig holes into the gel and stick the spikes in for a stronger support. Also, weather proved to be a problem when it was always raining or snowing.

Video of Putting on Sole

Video of Walking

Results

Q&A

Problem and Solution

Problem: Walking for long periods of time can cause pain not just in feet but also in the leg or even hips. The source of the problem can be attributed to the constant shock forces when the ankle strikes the ground.



Solution: We decided to make shock absorbent material in the soles of shoes that can soften the force on the ankles and feet.

Evolutionary Idea

• Interconnected structure
• Space Efficient
• Manages compression

ConceptualPrecedent

Technical Precedent

Jason's Initial Sketches

Yuanbin's Initial Sketches

Initial Idea

Final Idea Sketch

Prototype Pieces

First Prototype

Feedback from Mid review

• Use more stronger and more flexible material
• Increase the amount of hexagons used in groups to absorb more shock
• Fill up the hexagons on the entire sole
• Stack hexagons on top of each other to like honeycombs to take advantage of their shape

Failed Final Product Sketch

Failed Final Product

Hexagon Stacking Pattern (Rhino)

Honeycomb Piece (Rhino)

Failed Final Product

Laser Cut Honeycomb Pieces

The pieces were not flexible / compressible. They could not absorb shock and were stiff despite the fact it was cardboard. Also made the insole very lofty.

New Final Product Idea

Silicon Honeycomb

Silicone Honeycombs

Final Prototype Iteration

Finished Final Prototype

Foam Sheet

Silicon Hexagons

Video of prototype in function

Applying Feedback

• We used silicone rubber for the hexagons which is easily compressible while durable and not able to be ripped easily
• We filled up the entire sole with "honeycombs"
• We placed the honeycombs side by side
• We decided not to stack the hexagons because it made the sole unstable, allowing it to sway forward and backward or side to side easily with the extra joints; by not doing it, the sole can basically only compress up and down

• Confined underground spaces run out of air

• Cycling air requires energy

https://www.brainkart.com/article/Railway-Tunnelling--Ventilation-of-Tunnels_4384/

Photo by Jay Lo on Unsplash

Photo by Redd F on Unsplash

Mimic

Prairie Dog Burrows

• Mimic the burrows made by prairie dogs



• Harness natural difference in air velocity to create airflow

https://asknature.org/strategy/asymmetric-burrow-openings-create-passive-ventilation/

Through evolution, Prairie dogs have adopted a tunnel burrowing design that allows them to have fresh oxygenated air without being exposed to wind and fear of suffocation. By utilizing Bernoulli's Principle, the prairie dogs were able to have fresh air be ventilated passively throughout their

<- keep this as a note or whatevs

• Burrows serve as protection from predators and flash floods

• Difference in air pressure depending on altitude causes air to circulate

Evolutionary Precedent

Conceptual Precedent

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quora.com%2FHow-do-they-design-the-ventilation-system-in-the-Delhi-Metro-in-an-underground-station&psig=AOvVaw154XE3DLPW-9iNcC451lb6&ust=1705153591736000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQ3YkBahcKEwjglP2l_teDAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQKA

• Train creates low air pressure

• Air intake

Technical Precedent

Cut concept:

Improving aerodynamics in cars

• Fuel efficiency, mitigate environmental damage

First Sketches

Revised Sketches

Speedrun Prototype

Low pressure

High pressure

Rapid

To visualize air movement

To visualize air movement

literally just stick paper onto surface to visualize airflow

Refined Prototype

image here :D

Low pressure

High pressure

Omnidirectionality

Thank you for listening!

Evocative Image

Problems with modern backpack

-Ugly

-Cant close or open by it self

-Too big every time

Solution

Thesis

We built an Armadillo backpack that the person wearing can open and close. There are many panels on the backpack that can open up when not in use.

Precedents -1

Video of Chameleon changing color:

file:///Users/williamxie/Desktop/Rang%20badalta%20Girgit.%20.!!%20-%20Chameleon%20live%20color%20changing..mp4

Nathan Sketches -1

William Sketches -1

Geraldo's Sketches-1

Rapid Prototype(Armadillo Backpack)-1

Second Prototype (Armadillo Backpack)-2

Opened

Closed

Sketches -2

First Prototype(Led lights)-2

Arduino code (made by Mr D and chat gpt)

Led Light Gif-2

New code (Made by GPT and MR Lou)-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPUXxuyd9xw

Youtube Video we used

Sketches -3

We decided to focus on just the Armadillo backpack.

Photo of first backpack

Strap

Rope that pulls up

Hinges

Working Backpack (String activated)

Working Backpack (Motor activated)

Proof of concept

Sketches -4(final project)

New Backpack

Closed

Opened

Use

Mechanical Function

Electronics

Video

Opening

Closing

Booth(detail)

Booth(overall)