EQ HERE

What is the best way to make combat armor using nanotech carbon fibers?

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Senior Project Reflection

1) I'm most proud of the way I handled my presentation.  I feel like i was very comfortable while presenting and didn't have any worry.  This helped with the confidence in the results of my presentation.

2a) AE
I feel that I met the requirements for the presentation and that I exceeded the expectations of teaching and applying information.  Viewers left understanding the bit of nanotechnology that I taught them.

2b)AE
Even though I haven't gotten the most desirable grades throughout my senior project I feel this is because of an unfair grading system.  I was being judged by some one who told me that they have a hard time understanding my topic.  I don't understand how some one who can't understand something can make important judgements on it.  I feel that I've met the requirements for proficiency, despite what grades may say, and have overall surpassed them in regards to the fact that my presentation was very successful and that I have learned more than I could possibly imagine.

3) The best thing that worked in my senior project was the switch of my essential question.  This gave me something to take the knowledge I had gained and apply it to something.  It provided further direction in my project.

4)Research and the way I was graded.  I don't understand how some one can judge whether a research article is legitimate or not.  If I find something of importance in it then who would that person be to say that it's not a very useful article.  Being graded on whether or not my train of thought could be seen also doesn't sit well with me.  To start, just because someone can't understand my thoughts doesn't mean another person can't; second, I think in about fifty different places at one time so people shouldn't be expecting me to only focus on one thing when I'm capable of doing things much more complicated.

5) My senior project has primarily showed me the importance of progression in technology.  It has also showed me what fields of science I would want to possibly stay away from if I decide to pursue a career in science.  The overall perk of my senior project has been somewhat of a motivation to use my imagination and make things become reality.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Service Learning

Literal

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjuKkOIJKAGkdFlXNGJoeS1uZVJmTkJvUkRfeGdia3c#gid=0

Matt Hasling
(609)712-8767

Interpretive

The most important thing I gained from my service learning was my understanding of graphene.  Understanding the growth process and the properties of graphene were essential to my project.

Applied

Back when I was doing my service learning it was just about understanding the material I was looking at in my research.  once my essential question changed I just used the gained knowledge as a base for understanding how everything worked.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Helping 2013

1) Response: I want to show people what music producers do and what you need to do in order to become one.


Feedback: I think some seniors in the past have done something similar.  You should try to track them down and get their input on the topic. I'm musically handicapped in almost every way so I'm useless on advice.


2)Response: I'm looking in to a summer internship at Warner Brothers' studio that they offer to high school students.


Feedback:  Try to follow through with that over summer, if not sooner.  Try coming up with back up plans now.  I originally wanted  to do welding and figured I could take a class.  Minors aren't allowed to take welding classes and I didn't have a plan B to the situation so my topic was switched.


3)Response: I hope to see some good examples of Powerpoint presentations and physical demonstrations, if applicable, that I can use when putting my presentation together.


Feedback: Don't even worry about your 2 hour at the moment.  You have a whole load of other stuff to deal with before you even start thinking about your 2 hour. 


4)Question asked: How much time do you personally intend on using up by speaking?
Answer: More than the required that's for sure.  I'm lacking in the activities department so i need to make up for it with speaking.


Other:  Don't let stuff pile up.  Try not to kill yourself or anyone else.  Seriously, don't let stuff pile up.  Best thing to do is a topic that you're already familiar with and have an easy way through.  Doing something that you think might be "fun" or "new" may screw you over, as mine did.

Independent Component 2

Literal
a) I, Alex Kemnitz, affirm that I have completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.

b). For my Independent component I have been continuing to take two free online courses at MIT Open Course Ware. One class is a single variable calculus class, the other is a Physics course on the classical mechanics and the different applications in the world around us.  The math class supports the material being used in the other, so it is necessary to take both. I try to watch and notate at least two lectures a night, except for Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I work on the assigned problems for each course on the following day after the lectures, then follow up with another two lectures.

Interpretive


In regards to my topic, my work so far is helping me get a better understanding of the mathematical use theory behind what's going on.  The graphs that appear on microscope and the units things are calculated in are all explained.  I feel this shows hard work because of the pure fact that I am not receiving any credit for these classes.  They will help me to get a step ahead in the future, but for the moment I am not gaining anything more than knowledge.  I've also gained more of an understanding about what is going on with energy transfer from things such as a bullet.

Applying the knowledge to body armor really gives a better understanding of why it's so significant.

Applied

EQ: What is the best way to make combat armor using nanotech carbon fibers?

Using the gained knowledge and applying it to the situation of body armor gives some to look at when considering best answers.  It gives something to look at when looking at different types of armor.  Comparing the different ballistic levels is a big thing to look at.

Grading Criteria


Log Calendar

Evidence of 30 of work:  I am having technical difficulties with my scanner.  I will try to get the scans of my work and notes up this weekend.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Answer#3

EQ: What is the best way to make combat armor using nanotech carbon fibers?

Answer: The best way to make combat armor is using nanotube textiles to create a full body exoskeleton.

Evidence:

Facts-
1. Nanotubes are very flexible and carry over that property when turned into a fabric.

Ex: An elastic fiber that never loses shape.

2. Nanotube's tensile strength multiplies when woven into a textile.

Ex: One nanotube alone can withstand a bullet of carbon and absorb the energy throughout its body.

3. Electronics can be incorporated into nanotube textiles because of its conductive capabilities.



Sources: Will be added later

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Room Creativity

1: Since I am now look at different types of combat armor, I was considering making the room look like some sort of shooting range.  Different types of mannequins or target boards would be displayed by either being suspended or posted on the walls.

2:I have absolutely no idea for any activities yet.  Since EQ has changed I'm kind of baffled as to which route to take now.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Product

So far, the most important thing to come of my project has been my connection with Pomona College.  Thanks to Ms. Melogno introducing me to Professor Tanenbaum, I have now been introduced to Matt Hasling.I have been working with Matt for my service learning.  Matt is a senior student of Tanenbaum's and is doing his thesis report along the lines of my own project.  Since working with him, I have become familiar with the different facilities and  tools in the different labs.

My evidence would be this link that will lead to Professor Tanenbaum.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Fourth Interview Questions

EQ(as of right now): What is the most effective use of nanotechnology?

1.What is the most effective use of nanotechnology?
2. Where do you think nanotechnology will take the future?
3.What about buckyballs makes them such a significant factor in science?
4.Would you say there is any chance of nanotechnology drastically revolutionizing society?
5. In what ways would you hope to see the effects of nanotechnology benefit society?
6. What would it take to produce graphene on a large scale?
7. Which industry in the world do you feel is most important to advance in the techonological field?
8. What specific fields do you know of are in need of nanotech advancements?
9.  Do you think nanotubes will eventually replace wires in general?
10.  From your experience, what can you say is the full potential of carbon?
11. Out of thermal, electrical, and tensile properties of carbon, which do you prefer the most?
12.  Does the fermi surface or copper even compare to that of carbon?
13. What would be the most beneficial use of nanotechnology at themoment?
14. In the future?
15. What do you think about the whole "elevator to the moon?"
16.  Do you believe nanotech could really help colonize the moon?
17.  What resources can be replaced by carbon nanotubes/graphene sheets?
18.  Would you say the military using this type of nanotech is potentially a bad thing?
19.  What other tools, other than the Raman tool, help contribute  to the production of graphene?
20.  Should we expect technology to go nano within the next decade?

Friday, February 17, 2012

Independent Component 2 Plan Approval

1) There are these magnets called nanodots.  They are very strong magnets that can be formed into almost anything. Somehow, I would like to use these in a way that could help me accomplish my independent component.  My problem is, what am I going to do with magnets for 30 hours?

2) Oh it won't.  At the moment it just sounds good and fun. I believe if I used the magnets to some purpose that could give me a better understanding of quantum physics, then I would be able to utilize my expertise to benefit my 2 hour.

3)Purther and I are still in discussion as to what my EQ needs to be changed to.  So, at the moment, my idea has doesn't have a direct connection with my EQ.  Hopefully in the future its relevance will be more apparent.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Independent Component 1

Literal


a) I, Alex Kemnitz, affirm that I have completed 18 hours of my Independent component.

b) I have not completed the total 30 hours due to not having started until just a few weeks ago.  I plan to complete the 30 hour requirement in another 2 weeks. For my Independent component I have been taking two free online courses at MIT Open Course Ware. One class is a single variable calculus class, the other is a Physics course on the classical mechanics and the different applications in the world around us.  The math class supports the material being used in the other, so it is necessary to take both. I try to watch and notate at least two lectures a night, except for Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I work on the assigned problems for each course on the following day after the lectures, then follow up with another two lectures.


Interpretive 


In regards to my topic, my work so far is helping me get a better understanding of the mathematical use theory behind what's going on.  The graphs that appear on microscope and the units things are calculated in are all explained.  I feel this shows hard work because of the pure fact that I am not receiving any credit for these classes.  They will help me to get a step ahead in the future, but for the moment I am not gaining anything more than knowledge.

Applied


EQ: What is the most effective use of nanotechnology?

So far, all this information has informed me what exactly to look for when I'm answering my EQ.  The theory and mathematical properties that are explained have helped me to be more thorough when I look at a possible answer.

Example:

One of my possible answers is body armor.  The mechanics of physics course has helped to look into the laws of force and the specific units going on in a bullet colliding with a nanomembrane. The calculus helps to receive an in depth understanding of the digits being thrown around and how it is applied in an actual situation; an example of this would be turning a surface into a geometric grid and focusing on that specific area with the other factors that are involved: force and resistance.

Grading Criteria:



  • Log Calendar
  • Evidence of 30 of work:  I am having technical difficulties with my scanner.  I will try to get the scans of my work and notes up this weekend.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Answer 1

My EQ is : What is most important to consider when trying to create carbon nanotubes?

1) The most important thing to take into account when creating nanotubes would be the graphene that is being used.  The graphene must be solid and with little defects.  In order to assure that the graphene is suitable, the process in which it is created  must be greatly dependable.

2) i. Carbon Vapor Desposition: From my interview with my service learning contact I learned that the temperature in this process can either make or break the graphene.
ii. Amount of other chemical in Chemical Vapor Desposition: I believe Hydrogen is the chemical that My service contact was using.  If too much hydrogen is used in the process then it evaporates the carbon.  If there is too little then the carbon doesn't form at all.  It takes a certain amount, depending on the host or amount of carbon to get the graphene to form.

3) My sources are my service learning contact, via Interview 2, and this article that my contact sent me to get a better understanding of the process.
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment?ui=2&ik=72f4e80272&view=att&th=134b4129762bcea8&attid=0.3&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8Q-Fr6TPCKJW8qd4eBLrbW&sadet=1327034263769&sads=OTuq_lsRNR-EKctFo1_KyAaFz9Q

Note: This will be heavily changed within the next week.  I haven't had the chance to meet with my contact so I am planning to speak with him and go over my knowledge of the topic.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Service Learning

For my service learning I will be working at Pomona College.  My contact is Matt Hasling.  He is doing his senior research project on a topic parallel to my own.  Matt has access to multiple labs and spends much time on his own, working on his project.  I will be observing and taking notes on the different things Matt will be working on.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Third Interview Questions

If my EQ is "What is the best metal substance to use as a host for growing carbon sheets in order to make further research in nanotechnology easier?" Then these questions should help me find an answer:

1.Have you worked with any other metals in your studies that have shown potential of being a host?
2.What metals do you know of that have been tested for this purpose?
3. The EQ itself.
4. What are the biggest issues in finding a proper host?
5. What are the key things to look for when trying to find a suitable host?
6. What do you think will happen once this host is figured out?
7. Do you believe the process in which the graphene is grown has an effect on what metal is being used? Why?
8. How would you determine whether a metal would even be applicable in the first place?
9. What chemistry related subjects are included in this type of study?
10. Are there any other ways other than Raman Spectroscopy that could help determine whether a metal is successful or not?
11. Are you left hand? ( this is a joke for ogden!)