Group 04 Meeting 2

Group 04 Meeting 2 - Thursday, October 8, 12:00 pm

      The group met in room 226 of the Library to discuss our findings. Three separate proposals were submitted. 

      The first idea was to use an electromagnetic field to propel a projectile out of a solenoid, producing upward lift. The group decided that it was in our best interest to attempt to mimic biology more closely.

      The second was to mimic the jumping mechanism in a kangaroo's leg, using an arm attached to a periodic motion device to move a spring powered assembly around a track. The track had a curved section that allowed the spring arm to be compressed and a straight vertical section where the spring was free to decompress and thereby produce lift.

       The third proposal was to mimic the muscle in the leg of a grasshopper. The muscle produces a strong force over a short distance, which is applied to the short side of a lever. The lever acts on a fulcrum to reduce the overall force but increase the distance that the force acts over, thereby producing lift. A member of the group suggested a periodic motion device with a short channel along the path of the motion, which would allow the device to charge the spring in the arm while still allowing it to discharge.

        Overall, the group decided to further investigate the second two design options and meet with the teaching fellow to discuss the pros and cons of each. The next meeting time is to be determined by email when the fellows office hours become known. The group will hold it's next weekly meeting regardless on Thursday, October 15 at 12:00 pm.