Biological Acquisition Unit Team Members: Fred Avery Ny ‘Jaa Bobo Gene Council Salvatore Giorgi Advisors: Dr. Helferty Dr. Pillapakkam

Outline of Presentation Mission Overview o Objective o Theory o Background / Previous Research o Biological Analysis o Success Criteria Design o Constraints o Design Process o System Architecture Electrical System Filtration System o Block Diagram o Design Compliance Management o Team Members o Advisors o Budget Outline

Mission Overview

Objective Measure the earth’s magnetic field as a function of altitude. Take biological samples in stratosphere and lower mesosphere. Measure flight dynamics of the rocket.

Theory An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is an electrical device consisting of accelerometers and gyroscopes that are used to measure the rocket’s flight dynamics (roll, pitch, and yaw). The magnetometer will measure the strength and direction of the earth’s magnetic field. The filtration system will collect organic and inorganic material suspended in the atmosphere.

Background In 2006, the European Science Foundation funded an exploratory workshop on “Microbiological Meteorology” at the French National Agronomic Research Institute (INRA) in Avignon. o Potential roles of micro-organisms Act as cloud condensation nuclei and to participate in radiative forcing. Many airborne micro-organisms likely metabolize chemical components of aerosols thereby modifying atmospheric chemistry.

Previous Research In 2008, a study identified bacterial species Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus endophyticus, and the fungal genus Penicillium. In 2005, a study showed about 25% of the particles suspended in air in the size range of 0.2 to 50 μm are primary biological aerosol particles.

Biological Analysis DAPI o DAPI (6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) is a stain used in fluorescence microscopy. DAPI passes through cell membranes therefore it can be used to stain both live and fixed cells. BRDU o Bromodeoxyuridine (5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, BrdU) is a synthetic nucleoside that is used for detecting actively dividing cells. Genetic Sequencing o Determines the number of nucleotides in sample’s DNA: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine Scanning Electron Microscope o Scans the sample and re-generates image to be analyzed, i.e. structural analysis of microbes

Success Criteria Acquire Stratospheric specimen o Collect a statistically significant sample to compare to previous studies. Amount of samples Type of microbes IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) o Accurately and reliably record data such as: Velocity Flight Dynamics Gravitational Force Magnetometer o Study magnetic field in upper atmosphere. o Compare experimental magnetic field to actual values.

Design

Constraints The weight of the canister must not be more than lbs. No power until after takeoff. The center of gravity should lie within the 1x1x1 inch (x, y, z) envelope of the centriod of the payload canister. Maximum height is 4.75 inches and maximum diameter is 9.3 inches. No Lithium rechargeable batteries.

Design Process Prepare Functional Design Purchase Materials Test Separate Components Confirm System Functionality Data Acquisition Compatibility, functionality, defects chipKIT Max 32, magnetometer, G Switch, SD card, SD reader, NPT valve, filter canister, filter paper, IMU Schematics, Module Placement on Plate

System Architecture PIC32 MICROCONTROLLER IMU MAGNETOMETER 2 GB SD CARD and READER 2 9 VOLT BATTERIES G- SWITCH KEY Power Data Valve for Bio-Filtration System

Pic32 ChipKIT Microprocessor Flash Memory: 512K RAM Memory: 128K Operating Voltage: 3.3V Operating Frequency: 80 MHz Typical Operating Current: 90 mA Input Voltage: 7 to 15V Input Voltage (maximum): 20V I/O Pins: 83 Analog Inputs: 16 Analog Input Voltage Range: 0V to 3.3V DC Current Per Pin: +/- 18 mA

Triple Axis Magnetometer HMC584 Power: 2.5 to 3.3 V Field Range: +/- 4 Gauss Current: 0.9 mA Bandwidth: 10 kH Weight: 50 mg

Atomic IMU - 6 Degrees of Freedom Triple-axis accelerometer Sensitivity: 1.5 g, 2 g, 4 g or 6 g Single axis 300°/s gyroscope Voltage: 3.4 to 10 V Current: 24 mA Bandwidth: 150 Hz (Z axis) 350 Hz (X and Y axis)

Filter System Connects to two ports: Static and Dynamic o Dynamic port draws in samples o Air flow exits through the static port Contains four filters in series o Filters are decreasing in size from 5 to 0.2 μm Filter system terminates with NPT connector at each end.

Physical System

Design Compliance Predicted final mass is lbs o IMU, magnetometer, batteries, SD card / reader, and microprocessor weigh less than 2 lbs o Projected filtration system weight is less than 2 lbs o More weight needed Payload Activation o G-switch Open circuit until g-switch activation

Management

Team Members Fred Avery (ME) Filtration System Center of gravity testing Mass Flow Rates Ny ‘Jaa Bobo (EE) Hardware Magnetometer IMU Power Gene Council (EE) Hardware Magnetometer IMU Chip programming Salvatore Giorgi (ECE) Team Leader Microprocessor Data Acquisition Filtration System

Advisors Electrical Dr. John Helferty Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechanical Dr. Shriram Pillapakkam Department of Mechanical Engineering Biological Dr. Erik Cordes Department of Biology

Parts List / Budget PartsManufactureCostQuantity Payload Canister-$6,0001 chipKIT Max 32Microchip $ MagnetometerHoneywell$ G-SwitchDigikey$ SD card 16 GBSanDisk$ SD readerMicrochip$ ¼” NPT Valve 2 Filter canister Millipore awaiting quote4 Filter PaperMillipore awaiting quote 4 IMUSparkfun$

Conclusion Issues o Integrating filtration system with canister o Correctly implementing the SD card with the microprocessor Concerns o Transporting samples from Virginia to Pennsylvania o Properly sterilizing the filtration system o Shared canister logistics Future Plans o Order microprocessor, IMU, and magnetometer o Design and build filtration system