Gourilakshmi Neerajkumar, “Recording Measurements at Different Rates for a Solar Sculpture”
Mentor: Brian Armstrong, Mechanical Engineering
Poster #134
In a world where the importance of sustainability increases day by day, efforts are being made to create a solar sculpture that harnesses the sun’s energy to create vibrant visual presentations at night. The sculpture is being manufactured by UWM Alumni and artist Richard Taylor. The current focus lies on measuring data at the Tau 2 and Tau 3 rates. These variables serve to record status updates crucial for computing analysis values, such as assessing the state of charge and health, detecting sunset, and selecting visual presentations post-sunset. This innovative project holds the promise of transforming public art installations, potentially introducing a novel avenue for fully sustainable, emission-free entertainment. The research methodology embraces trial and error, facilitating learning throughout the process. Utilization of the PICkit 3 facilitates programming and debugging of the PIC24 microchip, with code development, programming, debugging, and testing conducted within the MPLab IDE. The primary objective is to activate the microchip controller board (MCB) to capture measurements at the Tau 2 rate, including parameters like current battery voltage and amperage. One key constraint of the solar sculpture is it should last ~50 years, exceeding the lifespan of most electrical devices, and with a charging circuit that has the potential of reaching this goal, the implication of this design are limitless. Overall, this initiative, relatively unexplored in the past, offers prospects for eco-friendly entertainment and a harmonious fusion of art and science.