Plate Techtonics

Theory

• ·      Large Scale Motions of Earth’s Lithosphere

• ·      Plates move relative to one another at plate boundaries resulting in earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building.
  • ·      Derived by dissipated heat of the mantle, which produces energy, plates are pushed against each other creating subduction zones and spreading zones, which shape the earths crust.

Concept Model Photos

Video

Ally's First Thoughts

pRO BOno

• "a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work [transfer of
  energy]undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service"
• "Pro bono service, unlike traditional volunteerism, uses the specific skills of professionals [materials] to provide services to those who are unable to afford them"
• "the central motivation of large organizations which exist for the public good rather than for shareholder profit"

Goals & Mechanics

• Motor does half the work, tension in material does other half of the work
• One movement (rotation), one direction, start/stop
• Basically stretching a material, then releasing so it goes back to its original shape (or remembered shape)

Biomimetic Inspiration

• Growth via coiling - ferns, vines
• Muscles at the base of hair follicles tighten and hair stands up to keep warm
• Tension and release - breathing, protection - pill bug

Model Concept

• Paper wrapped around pencil
• Wrapped around a rotating rod, in tension
• Springs open when released

Model Videos

• Simple kinetic model of paper wrapped around a pencil releasing stress.

• Delayed release of stress in laminated paper wrapped around a pencil.

Questions

Erase memory or create memory?

• By alternating direction, you erase the memory of the previous coil
• Coil clockwise, then coil counter-clockwise, brings material to neutral = straight

How to increase tension

• Instead of fibers pulling apart
• Want fibers to be flexible, but also stiff
• Material wear?
• Metals, plastics
• The more the material wants to be straight and flat, the more tension
• Laminating (using tape) along one side increased tension

Variations

• Both ends are fixed (loose end is fixed to the sleeve, sleeve slides down shaft)
• Orientation
• Lengths, widths, diameters (per material)