January 6-12
Develop TMOS recipe, try fab. using TMOS. Run tests to prove/disprove theories of why specimens still fracture. Begin new design, as well as a diagnostics design to measure internal temperature/pressure.
January 13-19
Continue running tests, focus in varying the water concentration in the TMOS recipes. Reading a lot of Brinker's book on Sol-Gel science in order to learn more about fracture mechanisms.
January 20-26
Test for critical pressure and temperature for ethanol and ethanol/water binary solutions (will it change with a little water???). Also, try to develop a way to get a nitrogen preload to suppress ethanol evacuation.
January 27- February 2
Ran a bunch of cases, trying to duplicate work done in December, nothing has worked yet. Began exploring Gibbs phase rule ( P +F = C+2) to find out about critical properties. Arranged a file of failure results to ask for advice from those knowlegable in the art.
February 3-9
Trying to source a pressure transducer for my diagnostics design--looking to cost a pretty penny. Also decided that I'll visit the machine shop soom. Will considering use of gaskets next week.
February 10-16
Literature research leads to new proven recipe, as well as some key insight into processing parameters. New attempt is made based on these papers, as well as use of gasket material. Good (but still fractured) aerogels are obtained. Beginning to wonder about role of free-surface area to volume ratio in fabrication.
February 17-23
First time with new design yields many fractureless specimens from 8mm to 15mm diameter, with 4mm to 8mm heights. Densities are approximately .3g/cm^3.
February 24-March 2
Trying to trim production time,
but not working out so well, checking for other sources of time savings. Start
thinking about final paper for the term, as well as other experiments to run.
Running out of TMOS, so I'll re order (higher quality this time), also may try
alumina aerogels
March 3-9
Decided to slow down on webpage
development and concentrate on production /development of method.