Week 6 Progress Report

The week following the Patent search presentation has largely been focused on looking to other applications of our proposed product. In fact, we actually took a step back and thought of areas in which energy is being wasted, and how we could possibly hone that energy and make feed it back into the system for useful purposes, like charging mobile devices. Max came up with the idea of utilizing the rapid RPM's of spinning car wheels and using the strong centripetal motion found there in order to move magnets within a magnetic field in that rapid, circular motion. Mr. Lin then pointed our attention to the story of a kid who attempted harnessing the wasted energy from pumping water into faucets and buildings. This all pertains to our idea: using the energy that is not used to charge a device. Following the conclusion of the first marking period, we would love to get started on some physical, hands-on brainstorming and tinkering.

Week 5 Progress Report

This week concluded our Patent Search. While we conducted our research, we looked for generators that pertained specifically to our proposed directionality of the movement of the magnets within the coils: centripetal vs. the linear motion that exists already in the current kinetic energy generator on the market the nPower peg). Reading the patents alone was certainly not substantial; the text was usually very difficult to understand. We feel that it would have helped to have read through papers and study the components of electricity generation, circuit design, generators etc. before searching up patents. The next week will see us continue brainstorming exactly how to piece together our project. We additionally received a computer fan from Mr. Lin to test out the free-energy theory with a series of neodymium magnets. Unfortunately, however, the fan's blade were a little too convexed towards the motor, but we could definitely test out the free-energy proposal.

Weekly 4 Progress Report

This week we focused on the complex system of patenting. Mr. Lin presented a slideshow on the art of navigation the U.S. patent website which helped us profusely. Equipped with this knowledge we were able to conduct research and come up with 10 patents pertaining to our project. Our patent search consisted of a preliminary search conducted via Google Patents©. With this we found a few useful patents, one of which included a generator that utilizes linear energy to generate electricity.

It was based on this discovery that we decided to change our method of electricity generation. We then conducted research on the us patent database by using the subclasses found in our preliminary patent research. Researching these patens has been highly constructive and we now hope to focus our efforts towards researching the design out our physical product.

Week 3 Progress Report

This week, our assignment was to construct a network diagram and Gantt Project Schedule. Collaborating on the two helped us visualize how long this project will take and how the individual tasks may be broken up based on dependency and duration. The two project management assignments also allowed us to take a step back and analyze the project as a collective whole. We started with a basic task list to acquire an understanding of the basic steps we need to take in order to successfully complete the project. That then led to the creation of our AOA Diagram and Dependency/Duration chart. Finally, taking in all that info, we were able to construct a Gantt Schedule with GanttProject, which helped us visualize the length of this project and identify key stages that can be combined to work in parallels to be more efficient.      

Dependency/Duration Chart

Activity on Arrow

Gantt Schedule Manager

Next week, we commence the preliminary step outlined in our diagrams: the research. We plan on splitting that research up among ourselves, as being compiled in a series of parallels makes the research more efficient and less time-consuming. However, we will still work in conjunction and share what we learn, for the concepts involved with our proposed product are very intertwined. Therefore, we both need to fully understand all the components of our research.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Week 2 Progress Report

This week, we presented our Action Items to the class. These included a more refined task list and project schedule. The biggest feedback we received was concerning our vision for the high-level designing portion of our project; we now are going to be allocating more time earlier in the project to sift through our proposed materials and ideas in order to identify the key components. This process requires accounting for the feasibilities of these key components in order to asses what can and cannot realistically happen with this project (i.e. ordering certain materials because a high cost, timing etc.)
The network diagrams on which we're currently working will help guide us through the planning stages of our project. They will also serve as useful aids in finding the key components of our project through high-level design and in allocating our time and resources efficiently.
For the coming week, Max and I will commence the high-level design portion of the project by researching different parts and materials and start drawing up a financial spreadsheet.