Week 8

During Week Eight lab, the group worked to create the alginate sheet on Thursday 5/19 under the constraints of a broken 3D printed condom from Week Seven, In this process, the group worked to create the condom sheet in Millenium Hall and Dr. Hao Cheng's lab. In Millenium Hall, Dan Nguyen and Talaial Alina attempted to create a sample of the alginate sheet but it failed to properly gelate (the process is illustrated in the pictures below).

Figure 1: Testing out the chemicals to create a sample of the alginate sheet in Millenium Hall

Figure 2: Closer look at the chemicals involved in the "experiment"

Figure 3: Isometric view of the results of the first experimental trial, a lumpy, gelated substance

Figure 4: The results of the first experimental trial; a lumpy, gelated substance

In the lab, the group followed the design procedure written during Week Five to create the alginate sheet.

After spending three hours following the procedure, the materials were mixed together in a final solution but gelation occurred too quickly (the experimental process is illustrated below).
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Figure 5: Chris Yankelunas calculating and adjusting the various molarities and amounts of the chemicals needed to create alginate sheet

Figure 6: Daniel Nguyen measuring the amount of the initiator ammonium persulfate (APS) needed to commence the experiment

Figure 7: Daniel Nguyen measuring the amount of acrylamide needed to be dissolved in 10 mL of deionized water 

The group then explored solutions to this issue. Daniel Nguyen and Chris Yankelunas suggested that we quickly prepare everything before conducting the experiment. On the other hand, Gabe LeVee suggested that we place the solution on a flat glass sheet, and later place crosslinkers on it, so that we could create a uniform sheet. After serious consideration, the group considered LeVee's idea and hoped to work on it during Tuesday, 5/24. Additionally, the group hoped to finish the remainder of the blog during Week 9