Week 4 Progress

Using bamboo as one of the construction materials was proposed. Bamboo is a sustainable nature composite material that has relatively good mechanical properties. Using bamboo also adds an aesthetic value to the product that using PVC is lack of. The final design is as follows. Two long bamboo poles with holes spaced evenly throughout the columns will be used for the vertical structure on two sides. These holes will have a semi-conical pocket that holds lettuce plants in place. These two vertical poles are connected by two more horizontal struts that will house the tomato and cucumber hydroponic systems. The entire module will be 4 feet wide and 7~8 feet tall. The bamboo poles will be approximately 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet tall.

The visit to the ACE hardware store brought some inspirations on materials selection. The main goal for the trip was to find hose that could be fed through the bamboo and connect the nutrient solution reservoir with the plants in the hydroponic system, and find a pump large enough to move the water through the system but small enough to fit well into the design and to prevent excess pressure buildup. While the trip was informative, the store did not have most of the products that were necessary for the design; however, ordering online is still an option.

Specific, concrete ideas for the hydroponic system will be brought to the following week's lab and the best design elements from each idea will be selected for the construction of the final design. Also, literature research will be continuing during the week (see [11], [12], [13] in Reference tab).