Max H.
Journal Entries:
Entry #1: 8.22.25
Today I brainstormed ideas for my WISRD project and talked with Megan about possible materials for my body armour design. After I finished brainstorming, I sketched out forms and layers for my possible design. Additionally, started work on my researcher profile.
Entry #2: 8.25-29.25
This week, I completed my researcher profile and linked it to my WISRD page. In the future, I need to remember to take pictures of my work to add to this profile. I also researched different variants of d3o and decided on a 4mm TriVent XTI sheet. This version will provide a good cushion and protection while also having ventilation. On Thursday, I learned how to solder and finished soldering a light-up rocket. The solar cell and LED ended up not working, so I tried to troubleshoot, but I could not get them to work. On Friday, I talked with Matt Lucas about D30, its properties, and how it could be implemented into my body armour. He additionally suggested a material called Dyneema, which is much stronger than steel and is used for rock climbing and fabric on sailboats. At the end of class, I asked Megan to order the sheet of D3O and a sample size of the Dyneema fabric.
Entry #3: 9.2-5.25
On Tuesday I practiced my soldering again. This time I chose a more difficult item with more components and a higher count of solders I had to complete. On another hand Megan ordered my D30 and Dyneema which should both be coming some time next week. My only problem now is to fins a way do disperse the energy once it hits the D30, so I decided to add a layer of EVA foam behind the D30 to take care of the excess energy. I will perforate the EVA in the same pattern as the D30 to promote good air flow. Behind the EVA I will add a layer of spacer mesh to ahieve a greater breatheability. A new idea that I had was to put the bodyarmor into a hoodie which would be the only reason I would not need to add a piece of mesh behind the reast of the foam and fabric layers. This is because there would already be a pocket sewn into the hoodie to keep the plate in place. On Friday I talked with Matt again about secure stitches I could use for the pocket and how I would begin to make a hoodie.
Entry #4 9.8-12.25
This week I built a full size model of my body armor using poster board. This model was not meant to display thickness it was just to get an idea of size and shape. I decided on a size of 9”x10 1/2”, but then had to compensate by trimming down slightly when shaping the top of the D30. I will provide the final dimensions in the next entry. I did all of the cutting with and X-ACTO knife, and found a paint marker or Sharpie to mark the lines. After our conversation last week Matt sent me clothing templates and I talked with him about how I would use these and he suggested printing them on a poster printer. For Dark Matter Day I chose to make electro magnets by wrapping copper wire around an iron nail. The wire has to be coated, but the ends have to be uncoated. For this I just took some sandpaper and when you see there is no more coating then you can stop. To power the magnet I used a AA battery and touched the two ends of the wire to the battery. If the magnet does not work then the core is either not iron or there is not enough wire. The last thing that I did this week was choose my Inquirer topic which is the Alternating Current electric motor developed by Nikola Tesla and used in Tesla cars today.
A list of all my materials and links to where I bought them:
asked for some more materials
final dimensions
emailed megan about items for dark matter day electro magnets