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| michka:research:microbial_fuel_cells:cardiff5 [2016-09-21 09:38] – michka | michka:research:microbial_fuel_cells:cardiff5 [2016-09-21 09:56] (current) – michka | ||
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| =====MFCitizen @Cardiff===== | =====MFCitizen @Cardiff===== | ||
| - | **September 7th-9th, 2016** | + | **[[http:// |
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| ====Abstract==== | ====Abstract==== | ||
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| ===1.2 Filling the Mudwatt=== | ===1.2 Filling the Mudwatt=== | ||
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| We filled the Mudwatts first thing when we arrived at the workshop, following [[https:// | We filled the Mudwatts first thing when we arrived at the workshop, following [[https:// | ||
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| We labeled them as follows: | We labeled them as follows: | ||
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| * the sand-slush one was called **S** (for **“Sable”**) | * the sand-slush one was called **S** (for **“Sable”**) | ||
| * the garden soil one was called **J** (for **“Jardin”**) | * the garden soil one was called **J** (for **“Jardin”**) | ||
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| ===1.3 First performance measurements=== | ===1.3 First performance measurements=== | ||
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| ===1.5 Performance measurements=== | ===1.5 Performance measurements=== | ||
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| When we came back on the morning of day 3, the LED of the B Mudwatt was still blinking at roughly one time per second. | When we came back on the morning of day 3, the LED of the B Mudwatt was still blinking at roughly one time per second. | ||
| We decided to use our freshly prototyped PTS (the INA219 current sensor on an Arduino Uno, see section 3 for details) on the B Mudwatt to see how much power was coming from out there. | We decided to use our freshly prototyped PTS (the INA219 current sensor on an Arduino Uno, see section 3 for details) on the B Mudwatt to see how much power was coming from out there. | ||
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| Right after connexion, the load voltage was 1.03 V, and the current measured was around 10 mA, but decreasing very quickly. | Right after connexion, the load voltage was 1.03 V, and the current measured was around 10 mA, but decreasing very quickly. | ||
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| ===2.3 Cutting a PCB for the LTC3108 DC/DC converter (Thomas et al. PHS)=== | ===2.3 Cutting a PCB for the LTC3108 DC/DC converter (Thomas et al. PHS)=== | ||
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| The week before, Paul had ordered a small component called LTC3108, a small DC/DC converter featured in the power harnessing system from a paper by Thomas et. al, advised and selected by Johann for the Flower Power Pot project. | The week before, Paul had ordered a small component called LTC3108, a small DC/DC converter featured in the power harnessing system from a paper by Thomas et. al, advised and selected by Johann for the Flower Power Pot project. | ||
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| * sometimes, templates come up in large .zip files with components from a manufacturer, | * sometimes, templates come up in large .zip files with components from a manufacturer, | ||
| * open the template in Eagle, and check that it is the right one. | * open the template in Eagle, and check that it is the right one. | ||
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| * if you are using, as we did, a fiber-glass support with a copper layer on top, keep in mind that were you cut, you are removing the copper, and therefore the electrical connexion. | * if you are using, as we did, a fiber-glass support with a copper layer on top, keep in mind that were you cut, you are removing the copper, and therefore the electrical connexion. | ||
| * export the G-code to Eagle’s plug-in connecting it to the CNC | * export the G-code to Eagle’s plug-in connecting it to the CNC | ||
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| * beware that the G-code is defined in the right unit - metric or imperial system. | * beware that the G-code is defined in the right unit - metric or imperial system. | ||
| * make the CNC run | * make the CNC run | ||
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| * this part of the process is quite technical, as the dimensions there are challenging Paul’s CNC sensitivity. Paul had to try out several times, and play with : | * this part of the process is quite technical, as the dimensions there are challenging Paul’s CNC sensitivity. Paul had to try out several times, and play with : | ||
| * the number of passes of the CNC on each cut | * the number of passes of the CNC on each cut | ||
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| ===2.4 Building Shantaram et al.’s PHS=== | ===2.4 Building Shantaram et al.’s PHS=== | ||
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| This was basically the same process as stated above, with a digression in updating Eagle to read the library files for the Maxim1797 layout, and getting compatibility issues with the CNC plug-in. | This was basically the same process as stated above, with a digression in updating Eagle to read the library files for the Maxim1797 layout, and getting compatibility issues with the CNC plug-in. | ||
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| ===2.5 Beam robotics “Solar engine” PHS=== | ===2.5 Beam robotics “Solar engine” PHS=== | ||
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| When discussing about a lower-tech charge pump circuit, Paul mentionned the Beam robotics circuits, which are often made of basic through-hole off-the-shelf components, and are powered by renewables. | When discussing about a lower-tech charge pump circuit, Paul mentionned the Beam robotics circuits, which are often made of basic through-hole off-the-shelf components, and are powered by renewables. | ||
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| Anyway, we prototyped and tested the circuit (replacing the motor by a LED), and it worked perfectly well. A 2200 uF proved to be way to small to really see the circuit effect on a LED. We replaced it by a 10 F supercapacitor, | Anyway, we prototyped and tested the circuit (replacing the motor by a LED), and it worked perfectly well. A 2200 uF proved to be way to small to really see the circuit effect on a LED. We replaced it by a 10 F supercapacitor, | ||
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| ===2.6 Through-hole-components-based charge pump=== | ===2.6 Through-hole-components-based charge pump=== | ||
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| ====2.7 Joule Thief PHS==== | ====2.7 Joule Thief PHS==== | ||
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| ===2.7.1 Literature review=== | ===2.7.1 Literature review=== | ||
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| ==2.7.2 First prototype and next steps== | ==2.7.2 First prototype and next steps== | ||
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| While searching all the information mentionned above, we wanted to do a quick test with a basic JT design. | While searching all the information mentionned above, we wanted to do a quick test with a basic JT design. | ||
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| ====3. Performance Tracking System==== | ====3. Performance Tracking System==== | ||
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| ===3.1 Why INA219 current sensor ?=== | ===3.1 Why INA219 current sensor ?=== | ||
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| ===4.1 Graphite electrode=== | ===4.1 Graphite electrode=== | ||
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| Paul built a graphite electrode of out graphite rods we bought at The Works, an Arts & Crafts shop. | Paul built a graphite electrode of out graphite rods we bought at The Works, an Arts & Crafts shop. | ||
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| He cut down the rods in smaller chunks, drilled them, and used an old bicycle stainless steel cable to assemble them like a collar. | He cut down the rods in smaller chunks, drilled them, and used an old bicycle stainless steel cable to assemble them like a collar. | ||
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| Then, he tightened them up with a second bit of bicycle staineless steel cable (a choice of material advised by Johann, from the Flower Power pot project). | Then, he tightened them up with a second bit of bicycle staineless steel cable (a choice of material advised by Johann, from the Flower Power pot project). | ||
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| A quick multimeter test showed that the overal resistance of the assembly was about 3 ohms. | A quick multimeter test showed that the overal resistance of the assembly was about 3 ohms. | ||
michka