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MILESTONES

How the group is progressing through their project

Summary of the group's major deliverables

Phase 1 Report ----------------------- 10/4/19

Phase 1 Presentation ---------------- 10/8/19

Phase 2 Presentation ---------------- 11/12/19

Phase 3 Report -----------------------12/10/19

Phase 3 Presentation ----------------12/12/19

Completion of Alpha Prototype-----12/12/19

Phase 4 Report -----------------------TBA

Phase 4 Presentation ----------------TBA

Phase 5 Presentation ----------------TBA

Phase 6 Report----------------------- TBA

Phase 6 Presentation --------------- TBA

Completion of Beta Prototype------ TBA

Innovation Expo ---------------------5/1/20

Click one of the deliverables to skip to that section of the page!

10/4/19- Phase 1 Report

Phase 1 Report

On October 4th, the group completed and submitted their Phase 1 report. This report was the first major task of the teams project and required a lot of research into what currently exists, determining what the major goals of the project are, and beginning initial timelines and milestones in order to keep everyone on track. The entire report outlined the team's project background and motivation, market research, concept generation, preliminary technical analysis considerations, and overall organization such at timeline and budget.

10/8/19- Phase 1 Presentation

Phase 1 Pres

On October 8th, the group spoke in front of a panel of Stevens staff, advisors, and colleagues for their Phase 1 presentation. This was a great way for the team to introduce their project and allow any questions to be asked regarding their goals for the school year. This presentation was ultimately a summary of the Phase 1 Report. It included summaries of the project background and motivation, market research/considerations, concept selection, initial technical analysis considerations, and overall organization as well as the next steps as Phase 2 approached.

11/12/19- Phase 2 Presentation

Phase 2 Pres

On November 12th, the team will be sharing their Phase 2 presentation, which encompasses all of the technical analysis that the team has diligently worked throughout the last month. Some highlight points in the technical analysis are the heat transfer analyses and mechanical analysis, which are major considerations for the groups project.

12/2/19- Start of Experimentation

On December 2nd, the team received their cardboard and metal molds from the machine shop to be used to start experimentation. There were slight delays with the machine shop, so the group unfortunately did not receive their bottom metal mold. Both are shown below:

The group began using the metal mold to place the n-type and p-type semi-conductor pastes onto a substrate to form the thermoelectric (TE) legs. Glass fabric was then placed on top before creating a second set of legs. After allowing the pastes to dry and removing the molds, the group quickly realized that the metal mold was not working as anticipated, and had to begin to create a new method of producing the TE legs. This was one of many challenges that occurred for the team as they begun prototyping.

12/9/19- Continuation of Experimentation

Over the week after beginning initial prototyping attempts, the group tried various methods of creating the TE legs. The first change was utilizing PDMS for the molds instead of metal. The PDMS allowed more freedom in removing the mold and didn't cause the paste for the legs to get stuck as much. The various molds used are shown below. There were three different designs- one to be peeled off, one with small slits, and one completely cut in half.

Overall, the group is still working on an effective method that produces the TE legs with the desired results. The group is also waiting for other materials to arrive such as copper paste, to connect the TE legs to each other. Once the group is able to make sufficient TE legs, they can be annealed in the lab's oven, shown below. For bigger samples, the group will have to utilize the Micro Device Lab here at Stevens.

The group has faced many challenges during Phase 3 and they tried to create their initial prototype but they are looking forward to having a new and efficient procedure to continue making the device.