ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL & MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY ARTHUR J.

BOND SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, & PHYSICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - FALL SEMSTER STATUS REPORT ME 470-Senior Design Team 1: Cameron Alexander (Group Leader), Darneshia Williams, Ezban Morrissette, and Jose Long ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THIS SEMESTER: Test drafted CAD model with Finite Element Analysis to ensure maximum durability and performance. Brief Senior Design instructors on the three preliminary designs conceptualized by our group. Schedule a meeting with our corporate sponsor (Microarrays Inc.) Get approval from Microarrays for preliminary design of the project. They will choose from one of three alternatives. Discuss budget with Microarrays Brief Senior Design instructors on the three preliminary designs conceptualized by our group. Meet with our corporate sponsor and discussed conceptual designs Receive approval from Microarrays for preliminary design of the project. o Most interested in Washing Machine Concept Liked idea of having multiple racks o Raised several design and testing matters Present conceptual designed for rack Conceptualize design for various racks Finalize dimensions on each design Present revised presentation to instructors o Present on Thursday, October 10, 2013 o Present on Tuesday, December 3, 2013

ACTIVITIES ACCOMPLISHED THIS SEMSTER: - Briefed Senior Design instructors on the three preliminary designs conceptualized by our group. - Met with our corporate sponsor and discussed conceptual designs - Recieved approval from Microarrays for preliminary design of the project. o Most interested in Washing Machine Concept Liked idea of having multiple racks o Raised several design and testing matters - Provided status update to Microarrays - Presented conceptual designed for rack - Conceptualized design for various racks - Finalized dimensions on each design - Presented revised presentation to instructors o Presented on Thursday, October 10, 2013 o Presented on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR NEXT SEMESTER: Create CAD animations Test drafted CAD model with Finite Element Analysis to ensure maximum durability and performance. Discuss budget with Microarrays Discuss required tests and procedures

- Discuss toaster concept for machine design - Discuss vacuum concept for drying process NEW ISSUES: Amount of buffer used CAD animations How will buffer be heated? (non-pertinent) Can racks be cleaned in device? Containment concerns with centrifuge-integrated design. Can Argon be used instead of Nitrogen to dry plates? Stresses on plates o How much G-force can the plates tolerate in a centrifuge-integrated design?