Update: Week 5

In week 5 we were able to complete several key components to our project! We bought all of the materials needed to make and demonstrate pykrete, as well as took time outside of class to create two different types of pykrete.

The Materials Used To Make Pykrete Are As Follows:

• Rectangular shaped tins
• Measuring cup (measuring both mL and cups)
• Wooden stirring spoon
• Paper towels (to be used as a substitute for wood pulp)
• A bucket of sawdust from a saw mill in New Jersey

The Process We Used To Make Pykrete Is In Two Parts As Follows:

Pykrete comprised of Sawdust and Water:

• We first measured out 1500 mL of water into one tin container.
• Next we measured out about 200 mL of sawdust and mixed in with the 1500 mL of water.
• We placed the pykrete mixture in the freezer and have left it there for about 4 four days. The mixture was placed in the freezer on 4/30/16 and will be left in their until 5/7/16.

Pykrete comprised of Sawdust, Paper Towel, and Wood Pulp (Paper Towel):

• We again measured out 1500 mL of water into another tin container.
• Next we measured out about 150 mL of sawdust and cut a two large individual paper towels into long thin strips.
• We decided to layer the sawdust and paper towel, starting with a layer of sawdust and water, then a layer of paper towels going down the direction of the length and the width creating a "mesh" layer. We continued the process with another layer of sawdust followed by another layer of paper towels laid down the same way. 
• We placed the pykrete mixture in the freezer and have also left it in there for about 4 days. The mixture was placed in the freezer on 4/30/16 and will be left in their until 5/7/16.

We are still waiting for the pykrete to freeze completely and have yet to do any testing. When the pykrete is completely frozen and we can start testing we will also have a tin with ice which we can use to help show the importance and strength properties of adding the sawdust and wood pulp to ice.

Goals to work towards:

• Begin testing the strength properties of pykrete in the engineering lab using a load cell.
• Obtain access to a microscope to examine a sample of pykrete more closely.
• Start work on the final report rough draft so there is ample time to ensure we meet all the requirements listed in the template by the deadline.
• Add more pictures to the blog.