Olfactory Conditioning Apparatus for Fruit Flies Week 7 – March 12 to March 25, 2009 Team Members: Rob Bjerregaard – Team Leader Graham Bousley – Communicator Chuck Donaldson – BSAC Scott Carpenter – BWIG Client: Jerry Yin Phone: (608) 262-5014 Email: [email protected] Advisor: Paul Thompson Phone: (608) 628-8816 Email: [email protected] Problem Statement: The aim of this project is to improve or completely re-design a device that is currently used to test fruit flies’ olfactory sense, memory, and ability to learn. The current device is producing some inaccurate results because the fruit flies experience changes in air pressure and airflow. Airflow and pressure change need to be kept at a minimum while odors are introduced and cleared from the device. Restatement of Last Week’s Goals: The team’s goals from last week were to test the current model for airflow and to begin acquiring necessary parts. Summary of Accomplishments: • Center sliding piece Solidworks design is now compatible with “air-pushing” layout. • Necessary tubing and connection components have been picked out, but not purchased yet. Team Goals: • Talk to client about imminent purchases • Analyze odor sources and mineral oil containers • Order center sliding component • Run smoke tests on current device – document on film • Purchase tubing components • Continue research on shocking and pressure monitoringActivities: 3.16.2009 Begin revision of center sliding component on Solidworks 1 hr 3.23.2009 Team meeting – divide tasks 1 hr Rob 3.23.2009 Finish revision of center sliding component on Solidworks 2 hr 4 hr 3.23.2009 Team meeting – divide tasks 1 hr Graham 3.25.2009 Individual Research 2 hr 3 hr 3.22.2009 Individual Research 1 hr Chuck 3.23.2009 Team meeting – divide tasks 1 hr 2 hr 3.17.2009 Preliminary smoke collection, begin looking for available hardware online and in local hardware stores 2 hr 3.18.2009 Continue searching for available parts in local stores 1.5 hr 3.23.2009 Team meeting – divide tasks 1 hr Scott 3.24.2009 Researched specific parts, connections, and feasibility at local hardware store “Fastenal,” deduced price estimate for tubing assembly, came up with 2 basic layouts 3 hr 7.5 hr Difficulties: (Same as previous progress report): “The most difficult portions of constructing the device will be incorporating pressure gauges, possibly displaying pressures in real-time and recording the data. This is not a design requirement, but in an attempt to make a more versatile apparatus, the design team feels it is worthwhile to include this component as a secondary goal. “Another difficult portion of construction will be etching in a permanent electric grid. The team really needs to focus on this aspect of the design.”Project Timeline: February March April Tasks 4 11 18 25 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 Project research Brainstorming PDS Prototype design Prototype building Actual device design Ordering Expected shipping Device manufacturing Testing Re-designing Re-testing Presentation Progress report Website Expenses: Nothing has been purchased yet, but tubing and connections have been estimated to cost just under
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