Week 2: April 10, 2015

This was the second meeting of the group and the second laboratory period. This period, groups were guided to begin thinking about building and testing these devices. The professor stated that testing will be on May 8 and final reports are May 15. During the period, the discussion of more possible materials and supplies took place. Coffee filters were brought into the discussion, because there are definitely a large supply of those on the plane do to the airline serving coffee. Also, charcoal filtering became a possible idea. However, the group had to watch videos and read about how to make your own charcoal, because the survivors of the crash would not have any accessible. After research, it was concluded that while on an island, charcoal can be made. The only materials needed are two bottles, wood and a fire. Technically charcoal would be made on the island for the filtration device, but the group will be purchasing charcoal at a store to reduce hassle. So it came to a conclusion that charcoal would definitely be used in the filtration system. As discussion continued, a re-sketch of the filtration device was composed, and follows this blog post. This sketch is more detailed than the last and more labeled on what materials would be used. At the end of this laboratory period, it was concluded that for next week we would be testing our different materials and the duration of time it takes for water to flow through each material. So, for next period materials should be ready for testing.