Week 1
This week, we learned about electrical and biomedical engineering. To introduce us to this, we started by building simple parallel and series circuits that would light up two LED lights.
Then we did three projects. One project was to see if you would make it into college by seeing if you met the requirements. If you met the requirements, a green LED light would turn on. If you didn't meet the requirements, the light would stay off. The second project was a rock-paper-scissors match. For this, a green LED would light up for the winner while a red LED would light up for the loser. If they tied, a yellow LED would turn on. Our third project was a vending machine change dispenser. We had a vending machine where the price of items in it ranged from 70 cents to 1 dollar and the person was paying with one dollar. We had to find all of the possibilities of change they could get back including every coin except pennies. Although we didn't have to build this project, our group did so anyways. It was a really complicated circuit and unfortunately, we didn't have time to complete it.
Finally, we had a medicine delivery system project that we presented to the class.
Medicine Delivery System
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Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering is the study of electricity, electromagnetism, and electronics. Electrical engineers design circuits, microchips, computers, heating systems, and other household appliances that run on electricity. Without Electical Engineers, the world would be a very dark place. As with any other field of engineering, electrical engineers have to work with other professions to form a cohesive product; sometimes they work with other engineers, sometimes they work with designers, marketing, or other professions unrelated to what they do. Therefore, they must be able to see through their complicated circuits, look at the bigger goal, and be able to rid their final conception from the technical jargon and complexity that regulates their design process. |
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Biomedical Engineering Biomedical engineers are engineers who apply their engineering know-how to improve biology and medicine. They generally work alongside doctors and other professional healthcare providers to design machines and equipment that aim to remedy a clinical problem. Their contributions range from prosthetic limbs, which help reintegrate amputees and the disabled into everyday life, to machines that aid doctors during surgery and the monitering of patients. Most devices in healthcare are designed by Biomedical engineers. |
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Design Process MED Delivery Kit Buzzer Q: How would you describe your design process? A: The design process was very organic and fluid. Q: How did you approach the design? A: I would think I am a very free thinker. I began by thinking that I am the greatest that there ever was, is, and will be, and then I just sort of did it, you know. Q: How would you describe yourself? A: I'm absolutely a very funny and charasmatic guy. It was only after four failed designs that Brandon realized that he wasn't the "greatest there ever was, is and will be." He was one sigh from giving up when a stoke of luck brought everything together, saving the project. Even though their initial approach was not a very smooth one, they perservered through their difficulties and came through victorious. Brandon strongly belives that the most important part of engineering is the design process and the mentality one adopts when approaching the process, as well as any relevant decision making skills, and of course, enthusiasm. Brandon is hesitant to attribute his success to luck. Q: What saved your project? A: Having John as the T.A. |
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Q: How was working with Brandon A: It was great. I did most of the work beacuse I am T.A. remember? Ha haha Ha. Q: Was there anything you wish you knew going into the project that you do now? A: Luck is a big factor in creating a successful project. Q: Don't you think it's mostly skill? A: Skill is part theory. When you're doing the real thing you need lots of luck. Our buzzer worked when we least expected it to after doing the same design four times to root out nonexistent errors. |
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Anthony here is trying to build the red LED circuit, connecting the red LED to the whole system. 🙂 |
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Here, Sarah continues to work on the main input system. They've made tremendous progress! Arman sits by the side, working diligently with a breadboard. What a proud Trojan! |
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Finally, this is Sebastian. He is so busy in the group that he declined a Q&A. Here are some words others have to say about him: Brandon: A hard working individual with a clear vision of what he wants to achieve. Very locked and loaded person. Arman: Sebastian is uh this dude who I work alongside. He has carried our team to victory. Him and I codesigned the vending machine. John: He put the most effort into the nonexistent vending machine. Jimmy: Sebastian and I have a close relationship. I'm the 130lb backpack that he has to carry. Sebastian: He's a beautiful, six foot tall, blonde haired, blue eyed, nordic viking. His beard rivals, uh, those.... across all lands. He shaved the head of a troll to add more to the beard. Here he is seen working on the main circuit after tackling an ambitious vending machine project. The design process Sebastian goes through is very systematic. Ideas and concepts just click for him, for the benefit of the group. We split into teams of 2-4 to tackle individual components of the MED pill dispenser project. By dabbling in each group, Sebastian was able to coordinate the teams into one cohearent whole. |
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Published on February 25th, 2018
Last updated on October 17th, 2022