Knano knights
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What is FIRST?
By definition FIRST is; For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. What FIRST really is; using science and technology to make a really cool project that you share with others. We build a robot to compete in a compition but, we also do a research project pertaining to the topic that year. We also show Gracious Professionalism and TEAM SPIRT!!! You can learn more by going to: [1]
What is the Topic?
The topic this year is Nanotechnology. What we basicly have to do is;
1) Select a current or potential application of nanotechnology
2) Design a solution or improvement
3) Share your project with others
Potential Application of Nanotechnology
We researched the potential application of using Carbon Nanotubes(CNT) to strengthen the passenger cage of a car frame, to further protect passengers from being injured in a car crash.
Problems
Until recently, Carbon Nanotube Technolgy has not been used to reinforce car frames because of the following problems:
1. Cost was prohibitive for the automotive industry(primary reason).
2. Only small amounts of nanotubes could be created, making it difficult to mass produce them for industrial use.
3. CNTs would not easily mold to other metals.
4. CNTs would clump together, making it difficult to work with.
5. CNTs could not be consistently reproduced.
Solutions
We recommended taking new breakthroughs, existing research and current applications in carbon nanotube technology and use it in the automotive industry. There are new advances in the field that would make this more affordable in the near future. The potential benefits would make up for the continued problems and current costs associated with research.
Using existing technology in new ways:
1. Reinforce the A B and C pillars in a car frame by making it a continuous ring using CNT, similar to the process of making a bicycle frame. These would be stronger and could be made as a generic shape which would allow it to be used in multiple models of cars, thus saving costs.
2. Using the lower cost techniques currently used for tennis racquets, the CNT could be combined with oterh metals and placed at key joints, acting as a shock absorber during impact.
3. Use CNT "sheets", which are not able to be mass produced at a lower cost. these could be mixed in with existing metals during the molding process or used specifically at the key joints, strengthening the material.
4. Use CNT ropes to form a ring to reinforce the A B and C pillars of the car, and strengthen it.
5. New methods to create CNT have been discovered, which will alolo them to be mass produced at a lower cost.
6. Use the improvements in CNT manufacturing processes currently being explored for aerospase and communications use in the automotive industry.
Scientists
1. Sumio Iijima
2. Diego Troya - Virginia Tech
3. Pawel Keblinski - Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute
4. Saroj Nayak - Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute
5. Ivica Kolaric - Fraunhofer Technology Development
6. Joel Schindall - MIT
7. Richard Smalley - Rice University
8. Mark Harmon - Carbon Solutions, Inc.
Other Cool Uses for CNT in Automotive Industry
1. CNT on silicone can be used as a supracapacitor, which holds a larger charge and may potenitally replace the battery in hybrid cars.
2. Nanohorns on CNT could be used as an electrode for fuel cells. Nanohorns have a large surface area on the tip, can be easily prepared and are expected to soon be available as a low-cost raw material.
3. Coating CNT with nitrogen or silicon nitrate can allow it to hold a charge, possible allowing CNT structures to be used for its electromagnetic properties.
Robot
Programs
1.) AFM needle
2.) Dirt Trap
3.) Smart Med.
4.) Nanotube Strength, Smell, and the Space Elevator
5.) Individual Atom Manipulation, Molecular Motor, Self Allignment, and second try of Dirt Trap.
For those of you who have no idea of what I'm talking about visit this link. [2]
Members
Morgan - Team Captain, Research Captin, Soccerlover
Derek - Co-Captain, website designer, major procrastinator (duh!)
Brian - Tech. Captain, FUTURE CONQUEROR OF THE WORLD
Chris - Co-Tech. Captain,
Cameron - Mullet Man
Zach - has fun with wind-up deer
David - likes ponys, person who will be conquered by the future conqueror of the world
Mariah - has weird ideas
Rebecca - Recorder, Cuteness factor, awesomest person ever ( personal comment)
Calvin - bright-eyed and bushy hair (Yippee!)
Mentors
Ben - Mentor, techno guy, TALL
Caela - Mentor, spirit fingers, TALL
Gabe - Mentor, frizzy hair, TALL
Stephen - Mentor, marching band, ...short
Deanna - Mentor, rugby, average size
Waggy - Mentor, tech dude, TALL
Coaches
Mr. Kolberg
Mrs. Waggy
Mr. Yu
Mrs. Rice
Mrs. Congdon
Team's Favorite Websites
potterpuppetpals - [3]
mugglenet - [4]
google - [5]
nanobunny [6]
