Too broad a question. What ideas do you have? You've been interested in simple musical things before. Are you still interested? What other interests do you have? The best science fair projects are usually based on some real interest of the student. Do you have a budget? What equipment do you already have?
The Eastern Skunk Cabbage is one of the few plants on earth that is thermogenic. It has a body temperature like that of an animal and its metabolic rate has been compared to that of a small rodent. Even in the winter it can maintain a warm temperature and melt its way through ice and snow. Aspects of its metabolic biochemistry resemble that of an animal.
Your question might be: what sort of things affect its temperature, etc. Stick an electronic thermometer in it and record its temperature vs. time of day, or vs. ambient temperature, insolation, wind speed, etc.
My own question is: what planet did this freaky plant come from?
You ain't just whistling Dixie, Electricaye! From wiki:
Breaking or tearing a leaf produces a pungent but not harmful odor, the source of the plant's common name. The plant is not poisonous to the touch. The foul odor attracts its pollinators, scavenging flies, stoneflies, and bees. The odor in the leaves may also serve to discourage large animals from disturbing or damaging this plant which grows in soft wetland soils.
Skunk cabbage is notable for its ability to generate temperatures of up to 15-35°C above air temperature by cyanide resistant cellular respiration in order to melt its way through frozen ground,[2] placing it among a small group of plants exhibiting thermogenesis. Even though it flowers while there is still snow and ice on the ground it is successfully pollinated by early insects that also emerge at this time. Some studies suggest that beyond allowing the plant to grow in icy soil, the heat it produces may help to spread its odor in the air.[2] Carrion-feeding insects that are attracted by the scent may be doubly encouraged to enter the spathe because it is warmer than the surrounding air, fueling pollination.[3]
Eastern Skunk Cabbage has contractile roots which contract after growing into the earth. This pulls the stem of the plant deeper into the mud, so that the plant in effect grows downward, not upward. Each year, the plant grows deeper into the earth, so that older plants are practically impossible to dig up. They reproduce by hard, pea-sized seeds which fall in the mud and are carried away by animals or by floods.
But how would you incorporate a robot in this project? I suppose you could use a robotic snowmobile with a robotic arm that could travel from one skunk cabbage plant to another taking its temperature.
But how would you incorporate a robot in this project? I suppose you could use a robotic snowmobile with a robotic arm that could travel from one skunk cabbage plant to another taking its temperature.
How about using a thermopile and see if you can power a robot off of one? Cap that alien monster with metal and wires and I betcha it'll feel right at home, wherever that once was...
What grade level are you at? I won prizes at the ISEF in 1981 and I suggested an idea to my boss for his daughter that got her a regional first prize, but it's a little different from middle to high school.
How about using a thermopile and see if you can power a robot off of one? Cap that alien monster with metal and wires and I betcha it'll feel right at home, wherever that once was...
XLNT. Thermopile and/or sterling cycle engine. And throw in a 2-potato clock for plant-powered posterity and punctuality.
It's almost like we're all secret members of the Skunk Cabbage Guild, railroading poor Android down our well-worn (and well-warmed) path...
"Take this pod home and sleep on it. You'll feel better in the morning..."
Hey Android-
Two things:
1) Please keep us posted on how your project is going, and what it looks like (with pics if possible) :-)
and
2) Middle school? You're way ahead of the curve - excellent!
Found a project where i test a robotic hand with straws and test it with different strings wires etc.
...
Gordon McComb, the author of Robot Builder's Bonanza frequents this forum, and in Chapter 25 of the 4th edition of his book, he discusses the use of "Robot Movement with Shape Memory Alloy." Shape memory alloy is also known as "muscle wire." As topics go, it doesn't hold a candle to the Eastern Skunk Cabbage, but it still sounds futuristic/cool to me. He describes how to control these materials using chips and whatnot. Maybe give that a thought?
Android
Posts: 82
Comments
Your question might be: what sort of things affect its temperature, etc. Stick an electronic thermometer in it and record its temperature vs. time of day, or vs. ambient temperature, insolation, wind speed, etc.
My own question is: what planet did this freaky plant come from?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Skunk_Cabbage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermogenic_plants
Breaking or tearing a leaf produces a pungent but not harmful odor, the source of the plant's common name. The plant is not poisonous to the touch. The foul odor attracts its pollinators, scavenging flies, stoneflies, and bees. The odor in the leaves may also serve to discourage large animals from disturbing or damaging this plant which grows in soft wetland soils.
Skunk cabbage is notable for its ability to generate temperatures of up to 15-35°C above air temperature by cyanide resistant cellular respiration in order to melt its way through frozen ground,[2] placing it among a small group of plants exhibiting thermogenesis. Even though it flowers while there is still snow and ice on the ground it is successfully pollinated by early insects that also emerge at this time. Some studies suggest that beyond allowing the plant to grow in icy soil, the heat it produces may help to spread its odor in the air.[2] Carrion-feeding insects that are attracted by the scent may be doubly encouraged to enter the spathe because it is warmer than the surrounding air, fueling pollination.[3]
Eastern Skunk Cabbage has contractile roots which contract after growing into the earth. This pulls the stem of the plant deeper into the mud, so that the plant in effect grows downward, not upward. Each year, the plant grows deeper into the earth, so that older plants are practically impossible to dig up. They reproduce by hard, pea-sized seeds which fall in the mud and are carried away by animals or by floods.
How about using a thermopile and see if you can power a robot off of one? Cap that alien monster with metal and wires and I betcha it'll feel right at home, wherever that once was...
XLNT. Thermopile and/or sterling cycle engine. And throw in a 2-potato clock for plant-powered posterity and punctuality.
It's almost like we're all secret members of the Skunk Cabbage Guild, railroading poor Android down our well-worn (and well-warmed) path...
"Take this pod home and sleep on it. You'll feel better in the morning..."
Hush up, erco. He'll start to wonder why we never use our real pics for avatars.
-Android
-Android
P.S.
Thanks for your help
Two things:
1) Please keep us posted on how your project is going, and what it looks like (with pics if possible) :-)
and
2) Middle school? You're way ahead of the curve - excellent!
-MattG
Gordon McComb, the author of Robot Builder's Bonanza frequents this forum, and in Chapter 25 of the 4th edition of his book, he discusses the use of "Robot Movement with Shape Memory Alloy." Shape memory alloy is also known as "muscle wire." As topics go, it doesn't hold a candle to the Eastern Skunk Cabbage, but it still sounds futuristic/cool to me. He describes how to control these materials using chips and whatnot. Maybe give that a thought?
http://forums.parallax.com/member.php/63697-GordonMcComb
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shape_memory_alloy
http://www.amazon.com/Robot-Builders-Bonanza-Gordon-McComb/dp/0071750363/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357935324&sr=1-1&keywords=robot+builder%27s+bonanza
Line following and how it works
Maze solving and how it works
Simpler?
Light seeking (or dark seeking)
response to bumpers/whiskers